My fix to the "gas tank" problem
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shrimp boat
My fix to the "gas tank" problem
ULike most of the E55s my suffered the "gas tank" problem. After replaced the pump by the dealer, the problem came back about nine months later. Not fueling the car all the way up helped, but since last summer I can't even fuel my car more than half full.
The problem on my car is the sending unit. It's the driver side one. I took it out and filled the unit with JB weld. I tried to cover the whole top of the assembly with JB weld. I also filled the passenger side unit with JB weld too. While I have both of the out I also replace the seal. The old seals are black, the new ones are green. I did this last August and until now I have not have any problem with the gas smell.
The reason I report this now is the last couple days the weather were in the 80' degree range. I checked the pumps and they were bone dry.
JB weld ~ $20
Two new seals ~ $50 from the dealer
And a small worm clamp, that's all I need to fix my problem.
Also if you decide to do this, please run your car down to empty, let the JB weld cure for a day before install (this depend on the thickness), and try not to get any JB weld on any of the plugs/connectors. Good luck.
I put on about 5K miles since the fix. Also I have a brand new MB sending unit if anyone need
.
The problem on my car is the sending unit. It's the driver side one. I took it out and filled the unit with JB weld. I tried to cover the whole top of the assembly with JB weld. I also filled the passenger side unit with JB weld too. While I have both of the out I also replace the seal. The old seals are black, the new ones are green. I did this last August and until now I have not have any problem with the gas smell.
The reason I report this now is the last couple days the weather were in the 80' degree range. I checked the pumps and they were bone dry.
JB weld ~ $20
Two new seals ~ $50 from the dealer
And a small worm clamp, that's all I need to fix my problem.
Also if you decide to do this, please run your car down to empty, let the JB weld cure for a day before install (this depend on the thickness), and try not to get any JB weld on any of the plugs/connectors. Good luck.
I put on about 5K miles since the fix. Also I have a brand new MB sending unit if anyone need
.
Last edited by Forrest Gump 9; Apr 19, 2013 at 11:02 AM.
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From: The Granite State
.
Good info!
I have always thought that some sort of gas-resistant epoxy flooded into those weak areas to reinforce them would be a decent countermeasure.
Keep us informed with how they hold up as the temperatures climb!
How many times have you replaced parts prior to this latest fix?
-G
I have always thought that some sort of gas-resistant epoxy flooded into those weak areas to reinforce them would be a decent countermeasure.
Keep us informed with how they hold up as the temperatures climb!
How many times have you replaced parts prior to this latest fix?
-G
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 164
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From: NYC
2005 E55
Im a bit confused when you say you "filled the whole top with JB Weld". can you please explain in a little bit more detail. I have might need a new unit but i might as well try this fix before going that route. Also, were you smelling gas both inside and outside of the car? I sometimes smell gas by the rear drivers side wheel.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Thread Starter
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shrimp boat
Im a bit confused when you say you "filled the whole top with JB Weld". can you please explain in a little bit more detail. I have might need a new unit but i might as well try this fix before going that route. Also, were you smelling gas both inside and outside of the car? I sometimes smell gas by the rear drivers side wheel.
Thanks,
Thanks,
To my understand, the previous owner replaced the pump once right before he sold me the car. I replaced one more time, so it's on the third one. My car have 106k miles.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: DownEast Maine
CLS 55 AMG E500 ML320
We are sure throwing away a lot of good pumps to get another cheesy cover that will break again. I don't know if JB Weld is the solution but I bet it's better than stock.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Norcal/Socal
C63 E63
I think that the seals were leaking rather then the sending units itself. If the dealer replaced the units already, the seals should have been green, not black. The only way the units would be leaking is if they were cracked
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From: The Granite State
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The fuel tank has been redesigned 3 times between 2003 and 2006...... As has the PS fuel sender/ pump unit. This is not a simple gasket issue.... We have plenty of folks with "new" gaskets with ongoing leak issues.
-G
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shrimp boat
I used the old leak unit. I was going to replace with a new one but I figured why not try JB weld, and so far it's worked.
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shrimp boat
another spot you guys may want to watch out for is the electrical connector on the passenger side. Mine the wires were all worn off and expose the wirings. That's why you see the gray silicon on the plug now.
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shrimp boat
On my car, the leak was on the sending unit (the driver side), but since I have both unit out and extra JB weld so I filled the pump too. So in a way it's to prevent future crack/leak.
Thread Starter
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shrimp boat
Yes I use JB weld to fill the top of the pumps. While doing so I discovered the plug on the passenger side pump worn out and the wires was shown, so I used some gray silicon gasket maker material to seal the wires. I could have used electrical tape, but it was really close to the plug so it really hard to tape.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: London UK
E63s s213 2019 ,SOLD E63 Weistec, E55, C36
good fix,
on mine there is no fuel smell, the problem was fuel pump failing to deliver after 5500 rpm, but after opening the cover noticed a pool of fuel on the right side fuel pump and the wiring starting to deform, which is a sign of the pump failing as its drawing too much current.
I opted to replace both pumps which are being fitted next week, also replacing the seals.
on mine there is no fuel smell, the problem was fuel pump failing to deliver after 5500 rpm, but after opening the cover noticed a pool of fuel on the right side fuel pump and the wiring starting to deform, which is a sign of the pump failing as its drawing too much current.
I opted to replace both pumps which are being fitted next week, also replacing the seals.
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From: Canada
2004 E55 AMG
I had a question,
Could the whole pump be pulled out? or only when the car has no gas ?
Which product did you use ?
http://www.jbweld.com/products/surfa...ns/automotive/
Could the whole pump be pulled out? or only when the car has no gas ?
Which product did you use ?
http://www.jbweld.com/products/surfa...ns/automotive/
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From: Canada
2004 E55 AMG
Also , this wouldn't cure the problem it'll just mask off the smell eh ? So if there is a leak it'll be still underneath it , you would just never smell it cuz it'll be under the proxy stuff.
http://www.jbweld.com/products/surfa...ns/automotive/ so which one ?
http://www.jbweld.com/products/surfa...ns/automotive/ so which one ?
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
05 E55
This will seal the top of the pump completely. I've had a smell once on a complete fill up but holding off on this repair until its more convenient. I'd bet that this along with new seals will fix everybody's problems. Your reinforcing the crap plastic used in the top of the pump.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Canada
2004 E55 AMG
This will seal the top of the pump completely. I've had a smell once on a complete fill up but holding off on this repair until its more convenient. I'd bet that this along with new seals will fix everybody's problems. Your reinforcing the crap plastic used in the top of the pump.
