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Just to clarify, if you have an E55 and your Mercedes VMI lists 'tank' for your unit (and I suspect all E55's do), THEN YOU NEED A NEW FUEL SENDER, NEW FUEL PUMP, AND A NEW FUEL TANK!!
These are the instructions from Mercedes themselves and are part of their settlement with NHTSB!!!!
If you only got part of the fix, then just know that your dealer did not follow the instructions, and your problem will only come back after the other components eventually fail.
Just to clarify, if you have an E55 and your Mercedes VMI lists 'tank' for your unit (and I suspect all E55's do), THEN YOU NEED A NEW FUEL SENDER, NEW FUEL PUMP, AND A NEW FUEL TANK!!
These are the instructions from Mercedes themselves and are part of their settlement with NHTSB!!!!
If you only got part of the fix, then just know that your dealer did not follow the instructions, and your problem will only come back after the other components eventually fail.
I read that a tank is not always the problem. But who knows. I didn't get the tank replaced and others didn't get their tank replaced either.
all e55's that leak fuel require a complete tank assembly with all components. dealers are allowed to do an interim repair and fix only what is leaking while the back ordered parts are on order.
I could post the letter but would have to black out my personal information. But in your case I would report this particular stealership to MBUSA. I. Sure they informed every single one about this recall. This is not up to the individual dealership, this is an official recall. Fight for your rights people!!!
all e55's that leak fuel require a complete tank assembly with all components. dealers are allowed to do an interim repair and fix only what is leaking while the back ordered parts are on order.
I've heard E55 and E500 mentioned in the same breath regards this issue.
I've heard E55 and E500 mentioned in the same breath regards this issue.
As per MB's own repair instructions, there are two different fixes, and it's dependent upon what shows up for each car in VMI.
Option 1: If a car's VMI says 'tank', and there is a fuel smell or leak, then do not proceed any further with diagnostic, and replace the entire tank along with fuel sender and fuel pump.
Option 2: If a car's VMI says 'fuel components', and there is a fuel smell or leak, then diagnose and replace only the components that are actively failing.
It doesn't get any more clear than that. I assume all E55's are option 1, and it's MB trying to skirt their settlement by 'mistakenly' doing repair option 2.
My buddies E55 has already been "repaired" twice, and he's about to bring it in a third time.
It was less than three months between my buddies first and second repair, and now he says it's back to leaking fuel again less than 2 months after his second repair.
The repair flowchart instructions are posted in this massive thread (maybe in the first half of the thread). The original post should be updated to include it, along with guidance on dealing with pushy insubordinate dealerships.
As per MB's own repair instructions, there are two different fixes, and it's dependent upon what shows up for each car in VMI.
Option 1: If a car's VMI says 'tank', and there is a fuel smell or leak, then do not proceed any further with diagnostic, and replace the entire tank along with fuel sender and fuel pump.
Option 2: If a car's VMI says 'fuel components', and there is a fuel smell or leak, then diagnose and replace only the components that are actively failing.
It doesn't get any more clear than that. I assume all E55's are option 1, and it's MB trying to skirt their settlement by 'mistakenly' doing repair option 2.
My buddies E55 has already been "repaired" twice, and he's about to bring it in a third time.
Maybe the buddy had bad luck. We only got the two fuel sender units replaced as stated and since then it's quiet and no more smell. It's more than 6 months now I think and even when I checked this weekend since this topic came up its completely dry and smell free.
I like that they pick up the tab after they lost the suit but I also think they are absolutely right not to replace parts based on guesswork. If a customer has a combination of bad tank and fuel sender unit(s), sure go ahead and replace whatever is necessary to fix the problem. But we all know there a many people out there trying to take advantage to get as much for free in life as possible although they are not entitled to receive it. And in the end this behavior hurts the honest people not those taking advantage.
Maybe the buddy had bad luck. We only got the two fuel sender units replaced as stated and since then it's quiet and no more smell. It's more than 6 months now I think and even when I checked this weekend since this topic came up its completely dry and smell free.
I like that they pick up the tab after they lost the suit but I also think they are absolutely right not to replace parts based on guesswork. If a customer has a combination of bad tank and fuel sender unit(s), sure go ahead and replace whatever is necessary to fix the problem. But we all know there a many people out there trying to take advantage to get as much for free in life as possible although they are not entitled to receive it. And in the end this behavior hurts the honest people not those taking advantage.
My service manager said specifically that a "re-engineered tank" was ordered, together with fuel sender, pump and filter. These are what will be replaced.
Just to clarify, if you have an E55 and your Mercedes VMI lists 'tank' for your unit (and I suspect all E55's do), THEN YOU NEED A NEW FUEL SENDER, NEW FUEL PUMP, AND A NEW FUEL TANK!!
These are the instructions from Mercedes themselves and are part of their settlement with NHTSB!!!!
If you only got part of the fix, then just know that your dealer did not follow the instructions, and your problem will only come back after the other components eventually fail.
My service manager said specifically that a "re-engineered tank" was ordered, together with fuel sender, pump and filter. These are what will be replaced.
And there is nothing wrong with that solution if that is what is needed to get it fixed. What I'm trying to say was not that no car should have the tank and all other components replaced. I said if it's not necessary to get half the car's parts replaced just because then it is MBs good right to only replace what is absolute needed.
VMI is Vehicle Master Inquiry. It's the history of the car and can be accessed by any dealership world wide. So if you bought a car from the German market and it was imported in the U.S. and later sold to Japan the owner can go to any dealership and request the history of the car if wanted. I did it once. Shows repairs and recalls performed on the car.
And there is nothing wrong with that solution if that is what is needed to get it fixed. What I'm trying to say was not that no car should have the tank and all other components replaced. I said if it's not necessary to get half the car's parts replaced just because then it is MBs good right to only replace what is absolute needed.
VMI is Vehicle Master Inquiry. It's the history of the car and can be accessed by any dealership world wide. So if you bought a car from the German market and it was imported in the U.S. and later sold to Japan the owner can go to any dealership and request the history of the car if wanted. I did it once. Shows repairs and recalls performed on the car.
You are wrong and spreading incorrect information. Please read the mercedes document. Up through 2006 w211 Mercedes states to replace the complete updated tank with all parts (no matter where the leak is).
You are wrong and spreading incorrect information. Please read the mercedes document. Up through 2006 w211 Mercedes states to replace the complete updated tank with all parts (no matter where the leak is).
I asked for this document here twice but nobody can produce it it looks like. I only got the letter in the mail and they did what the letter said. That's the most official information I have. And again, if I need a replacement tank I will get one. Before that I'm OK the way it now. This is my opinion and my take from it. I'm not questioning other people's opinion. Each and everyone can do what he thinks is right.
The bottom line is: either I have the same tank in the next 15 years or I'm going back if the smell comes back. But until then, I'm ok with the fix and I'm not one of the many who have a smell in their car for months because they have to wait for the parts. For me end of story.
I asked for this document here twice but nobody can produce it it looks like. I only got the letter in the mail and they did what the letter said. That's the most official information I have. And again, if I need a replacement tank I will get one. Before that I'm OK the way it now. This is my opinion and my take from it. I'm not questioning other people's opinion. Each and everyone can do what he thinks is right.
The bottom line is: either I have the same tank in the next 15 years or I'm going back if the smell comes back. But until then, I'm ok with the fix and I'm not one of the many who have a smell in their car for months because they have to wait for the parts. For me end of story.
So, prompted by this discussion and the proximity of Taco Bell to Rusnak MB, I popped in and asked point blank if the tank would be replaced even if it was not defective or broken. The answer was yes. It was also stated that they replace the tank and all attendant equipment should there be a leak from any of the parts, whether the tank is corrupted or not. I was told that all the subject parts were "updated" versions.
Maybe being "updated" or "re-engineered" means that the replacement of one part requires the replacement of all (my speculation). But my understanding from Rusnak is that in the instance of a fuel leak from the tank assembly, everything is replaced. Perhaps it's merely the goodwill or paranoia of this particular dealer in doing this.
So, prompted by this discussion and the proximity of Taco Bell to Rusnak MB, I popped in and asked point blank if the tank would be replaced even if it was not defective or broken. The answer was yes. It was also stated that they replace the tank and all attendant equipment should there be a leak from any of the parts, whether the tank is corrupted or not. I was told that all the subject parts were "updated" versions.
Maybe being "updated" or "re-engineered" means that the replacement of one part requires the replacement of all (my speculation). But my understanding from Rusnak is that in the instance of a fuel leak from the tank assembly, everything is replaced. Perhaps it's merely the goodwill or paranoia of this particular dealer in doing this.
Picked the car up this evening. Wasn't allowed but to look at the VMI...for internal use only, but didn't cost a dime. Work and parts all under warranty, replaced the entire tank including the sensor, pump and filter. Rusnak service, Ophelia and Robert, were great...said they must have done 100 of these. I can smell the leather again and the car runs great.
Hey all you w211 amg gurus
I was pouring over this thread and my 03/04 e55 has had a repair done in 2008 as a recall according to my VMI for the fuel filter module(pic of invoice included). I assume this is for the leaking problems many of you experience.
That being said, it says on my VMI under service packages FUEL TANK with code 47001(pic attached as well).
Does this mean I am entitled to the fuel tank replacement along with all relative components even though I smell no fuel and have no visible leaks?
Based on what Ive gathered from this thread they basically replaced the bare minimum but should have done the full tank etc....
Any Insight would be greatly appreciated!
-Mike
Last edited by Wolf InTheWeeds; Oct 8, 2015 at 02:23 PM.
Hey all you w211 amg gurus
I was pouring over this thread and my 03/04 e55 has had a repair done in 2008 as a recall according to my VMI for the fuel filter module(pic of invoice included). I assume this is for the leaking problems many of you experience.
That being said, it says on my VMI under service packages FUEL TANK with code 4007(pic attached as well).
Does this mean I am entitled to the fuel tank replacement along with all relative components even though I smell no fuel and have no visible leaks?
Based on what Ive gathered from this thread they basically replaced the bare minimum but should have done the full tank etc....
Any Insight would be greatly appreciated!
-Mike
My understanding is that ALL parts...tank, sender, pump, and filter...have been updated and in my case replaced. I was told at my particular dealer, Rusnak Arcadia CA, has done over 100 of these.
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