Urgent notice. 03-06 E55's that were involved in the fuel sender recall are bombs.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 191
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13 E63
Well,
It has been 6 months and about 5,000 miles since the last major repair where both level assms were replaced along with new seals.
Filled up the car last week and parked in the garage....filled the garage with fuel smell. Too damn busy to f with it this week so we are keeping the car at 3/4 till I can inspect the senders again.
What a bitc$.
And two weeks ago the car left me stranded on I-10 in Phoenix. Stalled driving down the hwy like it ran out of gas. It showed 1/2 tank and roadside was worthless. 2 hrs for a tow. WTF? I called the wife and on a hunch told her to bring gas. Sure enough it was out of gas but showing 1/2 tank. Ran it down from full and after 340 miles it still showed 1/2 tank. More level sensor problems.
Having fun now. Wife will not even ride in the car and its her car. Nice work MB.
It has been 6 months and about 5,000 miles since the last major repair where both level assms were replaced along with new seals.
Filled up the car last week and parked in the garage....filled the garage with fuel smell. Too damn busy to f with it this week so we are keeping the car at 3/4 till I can inspect the senders again.
What a bitc$.
And two weeks ago the car left me stranded on I-10 in Phoenix. Stalled driving down the hwy like it ran out of gas. It showed 1/2 tank and roadside was worthless. 2 hrs for a tow. WTF? I called the wife and on a hunch told her to bring gas. Sure enough it was out of gas but showing 1/2 tank. Ran it down from full and after 340 miles it still showed 1/2 tank. More level sensor problems.
Having fun now. Wife will not even ride in the car and its her car. Nice work MB.
...just waiting to go off.
If you have a 03-06 E55 that was involved in the fuel level sender recall back in 2008 you still may have a problem.
The recall did not seem to fix the problem and several E55 owners are now reporting that the replacement part is starting to leak. Ours broke this last weekend and literally gas was pouring out from under my car. This is a fire and bomb hazard and had I not noticed this and drove the car on the hwy....I would not be writing this post.
I have reported the condition to the NHTSA and filed a claim.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
I have called MB USA and started a notice and case file.
I have 4 other E55 owners with the same problem. One has said MB USA denied any assistance in fixing his car because "we completed the recall in 2008 and that was it."
How stupid of MB USA.
Just over 2years and 12,000 miles. The assembly is cracked and fuel is pouring out just sitting there.
If you have a 03-06 E55 that was involved in the fuel level sender recall back in 2008 you still may have a problem.
The recall did not seem to fix the problem and several E55 owners are now reporting that the replacement part is starting to leak. Ours broke this last weekend and literally gas was pouring out from under my car. This is a fire and bomb hazard and had I not noticed this and drove the car on the hwy....I would not be writing this post.
I have reported the condition to the NHTSA and filed a claim.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
I have called MB USA and started a notice and case file.
I have 4 other E55 owners with the same problem. One has said MB USA denied any assistance in fixing his car because "we completed the recall in 2008 and that was it."
How stupid of MB USA.
Just over 2years and 12,000 miles. The assembly is cracked and fuel is pouring out just sitting there.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
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From: cali
Black e55
after 4 visits in 5 weeks
This was my recent nightmare with the fuel smell issues.
week 1. dealer replaced fuel sender because of a crack
then car stranded on freeway on same day I picked it up.
week 2. dealer replaced 2nd fuel pump assembly on right side which apparently gave out , then engine check turned on after picking it up.
week 3. dealer replaced left side fuel sender basket assembly again due to a broken sender switch in the new assembly. picked up car and again still smelled gas after fill up!
week 5. dealer replaced fuel tank because of leakage now.
My dealer covered everything except for labor cost of fuel tank replacement($650). my car is also out of warranty. According to the dealer, MB covered it all as a goodwill repair. I know they are aware of the issue. they just wouldn't admit it. I also suspect poor repair work which kept me coming back. good luck to all concerned.
week 1. dealer replaced fuel sender because of a crack
then car stranded on freeway on same day I picked it up.
week 2. dealer replaced 2nd fuel pump assembly on right side which apparently gave out , then engine check turned on after picking it up.
week 3. dealer replaced left side fuel sender basket assembly again due to a broken sender switch in the new assembly. picked up car and again still smelled gas after fill up!
week 5. dealer replaced fuel tank because of leakage now.
My dealer covered everything except for labor cost of fuel tank replacement($650). my car is also out of warranty. According to the dealer, MB covered it all as a goodwill repair. I know they are aware of the issue. they just wouldn't admit it. I also suspect poor repair work which kept me coming back. good luck to all concerned.
Last edited by lybones; Mar 4, 2011 at 02:59 AM.
Out Of Control!!
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Yikes. Looks like one or both of you are at that sad point in time where it's time to part with your cars. I wouldn't put up with that particular stuff.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 191
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13 E63
We are in the market for a new car for the wife. She is driving the LX470 every day at this point. I will keep the E55 as a beater if I have to. I will also follow thru with the repairs with MBUSA and raise the concern again at NTHSA.
Sad day for AMG design. 9,000 page views on this thread and owners are having more problems even in the cool weather.
Sad day for AMG design. 9,000 page views on this thread and owners are having more problems even in the cool weather.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 15
From: Northern VA
W211
same goes for me!!! i will give a call to MB and see if they will cover even though its out of warranty. I do have an aftermarket warranty, but dont want to pay the $500 deductible if MB will cover it fully to replace whatever is causing the fuel smell
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
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From: cali
Black e55
Btw, it's not a car.....it's an AMG beast. Hand built......one man, one motor.....
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
This post is from another thread. It implies that the tank itself in the pre-face lift W211s is the primary culprit. Maybe people with 2003-2006 cars should push to have the whole system replaced instead of bits and pieces here and there 
"I never top up and I have a new gas cap. The leak is likely the evap valve and MB has a new part number for the tank ( I was told the evap valve is part of the tank) therefore the old tanks are faulty. The fuel leaks down the evap valve and accumulates on top of the fuel sending unit. Possibly the fuel on the sending unit cracks the plastic on the sending unit. The fuel sending units are faulty but it is all related, the leaking fuel causes the purge valve to stick open and the charcoal cansisters fail. (re check engine light and gas cap warning light). MB has replaced a few tanks at the owners cost and the issue goes away. It is my beleif that MB should pay for this repair because the tanks are covered for 7 year warranty. I have a problem paying MB $1000's of dollars to fix an issue that should be MB's responsibilty. All 2003-2006 E55 AMG's should be recalled.....again! But this time MB should fix it right and on their nickle! Good luck to all of us, we need it."
"I never top up and I have a new gas cap. The leak is likely the evap valve and MB has a new part number for the tank ( I was told the evap valve is part of the tank) therefore the old tanks are faulty. The fuel leaks down the evap valve and accumulates on top of the fuel sending unit. Possibly the fuel on the sending unit cracks the plastic on the sending unit. The fuel sending units are faulty but it is all related, the leaking fuel causes the purge valve to stick open and the charcoal cansisters fail. (re check engine light and gas cap warning light). MB has replaced a few tanks at the owners cost and the issue goes away. It is my beleif that MB should pay for this repair because the tanks are covered for 7 year warranty. I have a problem paying MB $1000's of dollars to fix an issue that should be MB's responsibilty. All 2003-2006 E55 AMG's should be recalled.....again! But this time MB should fix it right and on their nickle! Good luck to all of us, we need it."
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: SWFL
E55, E320 CDI , CLA250, Jag XJ Supersport
I smell gas when I fill up my 2006 E500. However, there is no smell on the inside of the car, just the outside. Strong enough to make my garage stink though.
It's been this way since I got the car about a year ago. Should I be concerned at this point?
FWIW, Still under warranty for a while.
It's been this way since I got the car about a year ago. Should I be concerned at this point?
FWIW, Still under warranty for a while.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 191
Likes: 2
13 E63
As I noted above we have been too busy to deal with MB. I have been keeping the fuel level at 3/4 but with the gas gauge/level sensor failure this too is a pisser to keep straight.
Check engine light has come on and stays on.
I did notice that other thread on the leak and this gas tank information may help. Our car has had 4 failures in just under 3 years and 20k. Car now has 70k.
I will be pushing for complete tank replacement along with new(again) level sensors for both sides of the tank. My wife just laughs at the car and calls it a POS as she walks past it and gets in the Lexus every morning. Nice work MB.
Check engine light has come on and stays on.
I did notice that other thread on the leak and this gas tank information may help. Our car has had 4 failures in just under 3 years and 20k. Car now has 70k.
I will be pushing for complete tank replacement along with new(again) level sensors for both sides of the tank. My wife just laughs at the car and calls it a POS as she walks past it and gets in the Lexus every morning. Nice work MB.
This post is from another thread. It implies that the tank itself in the pre-face lift W211s is the primary culprit. Maybe people with 2003-2006 cars should push to have the whole system replaced instead of bits and pieces here and there
"I never top up and I have a new gas cap. The leak is likely the evap valve and MB has a new part number for the tank ( I was told the evap valve is part of the tank) therefore the old tanks are faulty. The fuel leaks down the evap valve and accumulates on top of the fuel sending unit. Possibly the fuel on the sending unit cracks the plastic on the sending unit. The fuel sending units are faulty but it is all related, the leaking fuel causes the purge valve to stick open and the charcoal cansisters fail. (re check engine light and gas cap warning light). MB has replaced a few tanks at the owners cost and the issue goes away. It is my beleif that MB should pay for this repair because the tanks are covered for 7 year warranty. I have a problem paying MB $1000's of dollars to fix an issue that should be MB's responsibilty. All 2003-2006 E55 AMG's should be recalled.....again! But this time MB should fix it right and on their nickle! Good luck to all of us, we need it."
"I never top up and I have a new gas cap. The leak is likely the evap valve and MB has a new part number for the tank ( I was told the evap valve is part of the tank) therefore the old tanks are faulty. The fuel leaks down the evap valve and accumulates on top of the fuel sending unit. Possibly the fuel on the sending unit cracks the plastic on the sending unit. The fuel sending units are faulty but it is all related, the leaking fuel causes the purge valve to stick open and the charcoal cansisters fail. (re check engine light and gas cap warning light). MB has replaced a few tanks at the owners cost and the issue goes away. It is my beleif that MB should pay for this repair because the tanks are covered for 7 year warranty. I have a problem paying MB $1000's of dollars to fix an issue that should be MB's responsibilty. All 2003-2006 E55 AMG's should be recalled.....again! But this time MB should fix it right and on their nickle! Good luck to all of us, we need it."
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Northern VA
W211
Labor 356.85 DS Fuel Sending Unit Parts 588.43 Sublet 0.00 SubTotal 945.28
New part # for the DS sending unit 211-470-5194 , same seal 211-417-0579
vs 211-470-4994
211-470-4594
This was what i paid on Monday for my leaky DS fuel sending unit. The fuel filter module was replaced during the 2008 recall. No goodwill from MB at all. I even called the 800 # and they said it was up to the service mgr to make the decision. Well since it was my first service (bought the car in 12/2010) no relationship has been built yet. Took the hit and paid the $$$. My aftermarket warranty (Easycare) didnt cover it. It was not a listed part in the items covered for fuel system. WTF? It is part of the fuel system. But oh well. Car no longer reeks of gas standing outside rear of it.
New part # for the DS sending unit 211-470-5194 , same seal 211-417-0579
vs 211-470-4994
211-470-4594
This was what i paid on Monday for my leaky DS fuel sending unit. The fuel filter module was replaced during the 2008 recall. No goodwill from MB at all. I even called the 800 # and they said it was up to the service mgr to make the decision. Well since it was my first service (bought the car in 12/2010) no relationship has been built yet. Took the hit and paid the $$$. My aftermarket warranty (Easycare) didnt cover it. It was not a listed part in the items covered for fuel system. WTF? It is part of the fuel system. But oh well. Car no longer reeks of gas standing outside rear of it.
Last edited by novae500; Mar 16, 2011 at 08:25 AM.
Super Member
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Posts: 626
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From: UK
E55K AMG
Had my fuel pumps changed last year over 8000miles ago and has been fine.
Although when I drive the car really hard and I mean really hard to the point the exhaust note changes from the heat and it starts popping, I smell fuel around the fuel cap.
I checked it out and its hot fuel vapours and you can see the hot vapours when the cap is removed.........I think it needs a swirl pot to cool the return fuel, dont these cars have one ?
Although when I drive the car really hard and I mean really hard to the point the exhaust note changes from the heat and it starts popping, I smell fuel around the fuel cap.
I checked it out and its hot fuel vapours and you can see the hot vapours when the cap is removed.........I think it needs a swirl pot to cool the return fuel, dont these cars have one ?
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 511
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From: Orlando, FL
04 E55 AMG, 03 350z Track Built/Single Turbo
Mine seems to leak if I get it more than 1/2 tank, but it only seems to happen after I idle the car and let it sit for a while (in the garage). Apparently the original owner of the car had the recall done back when it first went out, so this isn't a new issue. For now I've just been adding 7 gallons at a time and leaving it at that.
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none
Two things here....
FIrst I was at a car meet one friday night where i told a service writer of this problem. He was like....."Oh yeah, that's a common problem we get those all the time in the W211. It's not your fuel pump, seal, or the gas cap. We always have to replace your gas tank. We fix a lot of those at the dealer and we charge about $3K. Remember we have to drop your driveshaft, so there is about 8 hours of labor."
So i ask if they replaced the gas tank with a improved design and the answer is "No they havent, but there is a year warranty"
Secondly.... It's been reported that many Jeep Owners have complained to the NTHSA about their gas backsplashing when they fill up. However Jeep owners were not able to get anywhere as the complaint was attributed to the issue spreading through internet forums which further exasperated the problem.
Nonetheless has anyone thought about going to the NTHSA with this issue to force MBUSA to admit to the the problem?
FIrst I was at a car meet one friday night where i told a service writer of this problem. He was like....."Oh yeah, that's a common problem we get those all the time in the W211. It's not your fuel pump, seal, or the gas cap. We always have to replace your gas tank. We fix a lot of those at the dealer and we charge about $3K. Remember we have to drop your driveshaft, so there is about 8 hours of labor."
So i ask if they replaced the gas tank with a improved design and the answer is "No they havent, but there is a year warranty"
Secondly.... It's been reported that many Jeep Owners have complained to the NTHSA about their gas backsplashing when they fill up. However Jeep owners were not able to get anywhere as the complaint was attributed to the issue spreading through internet forums which further exasperated the problem.
Nonetheless has anyone thought about going to the NTHSA with this issue to force MBUSA to admit to the the problem?
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,461
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From: Treasure Island, FL
GLE 63S
I had the gas smell a year ago and after my car died on the freeway the fuel sender and filter pump units were replaced. My fuel tank was not replaced. I no longer have a gas smell even when I fill the tank up.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 191
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13 E63
Update:
I have second hand knowledge that an engineer from NHTSA is looking into this situation. I have his contact information and will be putting together my docs to send him. Stay tuned. Our car is now in the shop yet again and when I pulled into the service drive it smelled up the entire shop. They now understand this is serious.
I have second hand knowledge that an engineer from NHTSA is looking into this situation. I have his contact information and will be putting together my docs to send him. Stay tuned. Our car is now in the shop yet again and when I pulled into the service drive it smelled up the entire shop. They now understand this is serious.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: cali
Black e55
NHTSA
Update:
I have second hand knowledge that an engineer from NHTSA is looking into this situation. I have his contact information and will be putting together my docs to send him. Stay tuned. Our car is now in the shop yet again and when I pulled into the service drive it smelled up the entire shop. They now understand this is serious.
I have second hand knowledge that an engineer from NHTSA is looking into this situation. I have his contact information and will be putting together my docs to send him. Stay tuned. Our car is now in the shop yet again and when I pulled into the service drive it smelled up the entire shop. They now understand this is serious.
I think it's great that they are looking into this issue. We need to get some sort of a list going with all the people that have been affected by this. I think that's the only way for them to realize the severity of the problem. Let me know if you would like my info for the NHTSA as I too had 4 visits to the dealer within a 1 1/2 month period to have both fuel sender units plus the gas tank replaced due to gas leaks. Sometimes I can still smell gas if my car sits for a few days. The gas smell comes in when the ac kicks on.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 15
From: Northern VA
W211
Update:
I have second hand knowledge that an engineer from NHTSA is looking into this situation. I have his contact information and will be putting together my docs to send him. Stay tuned. Our car is now in the shop yet again and when I pulled into the service drive it smelled up the entire shop. They now understand this is serious.
I have second hand knowledge that an engineer from NHTSA is looking into this situation. I have his contact information and will be putting together my docs to send him. Stay tuned. Our car is now in the shop yet again and when I pulled into the service drive it smelled up the entire shop. They now understand this is serious.
Part for DS that i received was
211-470-51-94
211-771-05-79 same # for seal.
Filled up the tank all the way yesterday and no smell emanating from my garage at all this morning. Which is a good sign.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I hope what they do is not a "remedy" like Volvo did with their cars. The electronic throttle module (ETM) was a poor design and failed, stranding drivers on the road without warning. When they were forced to do a recall all they did was guarantee a replacement part (same design.) Owners were left with knowing they'd get a free fix, but still knowing that it could (and would) happen again.
Same thing with BMW's HPFP problem. They didn't redesign, but just offered to constantly replace the failed pump.
That would mean a free fix from MBUSA but continually having to do repeat fixes for the life of the car.
Unless the system can be re-designed with a new tank, etc.. But that would cost MB tons of money to replace in all the cars on the road (there are cases of it happening on all 2003-2006 E Class models, not just E55s.)
Is there any case of it happening in the post 2006 cars? If the E63 has a different system, then it shouldn't be too hard to just use the E63 units and tank as a remedy.
Edit: and I wonder why it doesn't just happen in all E55s. Someone has mentioned ethanol as a possible part of the problem. They now know that ethanol destroys plastic and rubber parts over time.
Same thing with BMW's HPFP problem. They didn't redesign, but just offered to constantly replace the failed pump.
That would mean a free fix from MBUSA but continually having to do repeat fixes for the life of the car.
Unless the system can be re-designed with a new tank, etc.. But that would cost MB tons of money to replace in all the cars on the road (there are cases of it happening on all 2003-2006 E Class models, not just E55s.)
Is there any case of it happening in the post 2006 cars? If the E63 has a different system, then it shouldn't be too hard to just use the E63 units and tank as a remedy.
Edit: and I wonder why it doesn't just happen in all E55s. Someone has mentioned ethanol as a possible part of the problem. They now know that ethanol destroys plastic and rubber parts over time.
Last edited by 220S; Mar 22, 2011 at 05:35 PM.
