You know I've got to express my frustration with the Fuel Filter on the ML's. I've done alot of complicated work on my 3 Mercedes but the engineering that went into the ml320 - I just don't understand it. I mean a fuel filter is a part that has to be replaced during routine maintenance, just like an oil filter or an air filter. Why make this filter access so difficult. Maybe I'm not going about it correctly.

I removed the wheel and fender well cover and have access to the filter. I've removed the hose clamp that holds the filter in place and the vent hose. It appears to have had the filter update because it has the long filter in it. However, the two rear fuel connectors have the new releases but it appears that whoever did the upgrade did not install the new line and connector to the front fuel line and just plugged the old line into the front of the filter.

My question is how to remove this connection. I do not have the special tool and even if I had it I cannot see how you could get it around the fuel line, the access is so tight. Also, even with the new connectors on the rear of the filter, access is so tight I cannot even get a finger on either side of the connector to release the line. Am I missing a step here?

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jayhawk

"a fuel filter is a part that has to be replaced during routine maintenance, just like an oil filter or an air filter."


Actually, according to the MB maintenance sheet, the fuel filter only needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles. I've always been a little doubtful about this interval, so every so often I cut a used one open. I've yet to find one clogged. In my shop we follow the maintenace guidelines strictly and I've never seen a running problem caused by a clogged filter. Just my .02$.

This car has 70,000 miles on it. You think I should replace it or leave it alone. Car runs good otherwise.

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jayhawk

"It appears to have had the filter update because it has the long filter in it. However, the two rear fuel connectors have the new releases but it appears that whoever did the upgrade did not install the new line and connector to the front fuel line and just plugged the old line into the front of the filter."


If you have doubts about whether the new style filter/lines were installed correctly it might be a good idea to replace them all and not worry about it for a few years.

Sorry to dig up an older thread, but I thought it would important to mention my experience with fuel filters. Once our 560SEL wouldn't run at all, only because of a clogged fuel filter. I tested for spark, then for fuel. I traced the problem to the filter, replaced it, and hit the road.

This exact same thing happened to my dad's Porsche 928. New fuel filter, and we were back on the road.

A clogged fuel filter has put our diesels out of commission countless times, but diesels are a little different.

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'82 300TD
'77 6.9
'75 280S
'74 280
'87 Porsche 944 turbo