Gilly,
I have a 00 Ml430 built in 04/00. I have this high pitch whine that comes from the LR fenderwell. When you first turn the key to postion 2 it sounds for 2 to 3 seconds, then quits. Sounds all the time with engine running. I know the fuel pump, filter, and regulator are in this location. I'm sure I don't have the latest upgraded parts installed. Although I have an appointment after the holiday I'd like your take on this as I'm sure you've had to deal with it in the past. I have 8 months left on my Starmark Warranty and I need to get rid of the noise and get upgraded if possible! Thanks!!

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David L

Sounds like the regulator is squealing to me. With Starmark warranty you should be a shoe-in to get the long filter update done for free. I'd put up a fight if they don't agree. How many miles on it now, and how many when you bought it, and how long ago did you buy it? It's very possible that they were obligated to update the filter prior to putting under Starmark warranty.

Gilly

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Gilly:
Thanks for the quick response. I purchased my ML in June of 03 when it had 35,000 miles on it. It now has 45,800 miles. It had 1 year left on the original factory warranty, then a 1 year or 50,000 mile Starmark! When I took it in to my dealer recently for the A service and a bad MAF sensor they did the P/S hose upgrade for me, as I had pointed out it had a slight leak, so I doubt they did the filter upgrade before they Starmarked it! I have a good relationship with my dealer's service department, and they have told me they would fix this under my warranty. I believe the regulator is integral to the pump, correct? I just wanted as much information as I could before I took it in so I could understand the problem. I was a line mechanic for GM early in my career, and then 37 years as a machininst for Boeing, and in my experience when the sound of any machine changes, there is something wrong!! Thanks for your input!

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David L

Regulator is integrated into the filter, believe it or not! Yes, when you get a new filter, you get a new regulator. The squeeling noise from the filter/regulator is not unheard of.

Gilly

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Gilly;
Thanks for the input. I'll let you and the other forum readers know how I made out after I get back from the dealer!

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David L

Sounds good, David. The filter actually is overdue to be replaced anyways, 60,000 miles or 4 years, so overdue on time. But I still would be rather insistent on the dang thing being replaced under the warranty due to the noise, and also as the filter relates to this Service Information Bulletin, I would kind of expected since it falls into the VIN Range of the Bulletin they'd go ahead and replace it while prepping the truck for Starmark. MB certainly would have "approved" of this being done at that time and paid the warranty claim to do it, if they would have read the Bulletin. Not enough techs really understand how comprehensive this inspection is supposed to be and they sort of need to think about the inspection in terms of "as if they were going to buy this vehicle for themselves" or a family member. I went through a class on doing the Starmark mechanical inspection and that was one comment an instructor made. Sure it's possible to "go overboard" with it, you have to draw the line somewhere, but to address some concern relating to a Bulletin, which MB will even PAY to have done just sort of makes sense, sometimes I think it's just laziness, y'know "Get this danged used car/truck outta my stall so I can "make some real money". It's not a real "fun" job. In case you didn't know or read it somewhere else, the left side of the rear seat needs to be removed and this glued-down sheetmetal panel has to be removed (usually using a hot-air blower to soften the glue, unless the fuel pump or sender has been replaced already, in which case it's even worse because you're dealing with whatever the previous tech used to glue it back down-YECH!) to access the top of the pump. It's the only way to install the modified hoses that are neccesary to accomodate the new long-filter. After this is done, the fuel filter should be a fairly easy DIY job if you are so inclined, no more seat removal.
Gilly

PS the filter itself is on top of the left frame rail inside the left rear wheelwell, hard to see without removing the LR wheel. There is a thread in the ML forum with pictures.

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Gilly:
Thanks again for the info. Now, armed with that info I'm in a better position to negotiate with the dealer if need be. That's what's beautiful about this forum. As for the DIY it's well within my capability. I remember the warranty and used vehicle work when I was at GM and I didn't care for it when I was on comission either. BTW this is my first MB and plan on a new 2005 ML500 next spring during the "clearance sale". I can put up with these problems in exchange for the safety and performance of MB!

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David L

The fact you're interested in a new ML that soon is always good leverage. If you're on good terms with them, as you said, that always helps too. But if that doesn't work, just thow out the "new ML next year" card. Helps if they have a competing dealer within a 100 miles or so......no news to you I'm sure.

Gilly

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Gilly:
Thanks for the input. I bought a used ML first to see if that's what I would like! It was a cash purchase and the 500 will be too, and they know that. So there's that card too, although I would hope they treat everyone the same. Yes, there is no shortage of MB dealers down US 101 from Santa Barbara where I do business! So far I have no complaints with the dealer there! Thanks again!!

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David L

Gilly,
Just returned for the dealer with my 2000 ML430. Dealer replaced main fuel filter and updated lines. W/O also says he replaced fuel level sensor, which I think is part of the pump assy. He had told me he had replaced the pump, but it's not listed as such on the W/O. Anyway all this was done on my Starmark warranty with a smile. Although I had other cards to play, I didn't have to. Santa Barbara Auto Group has always treated me right-----no complaints! They know I'm a cash customer, maybe that makes a difference???? Thanks again for the info!!! Yes, squeal is gone!!

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David L

Glad they're taking care of you. Many dealers treat people like this, cash or not. It's the bad apples that get all the press. Make sure they know you appreciate them, too often PEOPLE like this are taken for granted. Just a short note to the dealer principal outlining your positive experience goes a long way and usually results in an "atta boy" for those involved.

The fuel pump and sender unit come as a complete assembly, not available as seperate components, so one guy might have said "sender unit" and the other might say "fuel pump", it's the same thing, so to speak. Usually I generically refer to it as the fuel pump, unless I'd be trying to fix the fuel gauge for example, in which case I'd say "I need a new sending unit".

Gilly

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