I will atttempt to show the pliers I used swimmingly to remove my filter.
Bought at farm and fleet 10 years ago for a motorcycle hard to reach repair. About $12.

One of thise tools ya need every few years.

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__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

I finally got my fuel system upgraded. MBZ covers the fuel lines, a new fuel pump and the labor to do all that crap. My cost is the fuel filter and the regular labor to install the fuel filter. This is for a 98 ML which was deliverd in Oct 97. Not bad for me since the truck is nearly 7 years old but with only 60k miles. It has been more reliable than when it was new. Hope to keep it for another 5 years before dumping it, will keep my fingers crossed.

How'd that happen ?

Do you have a super extended warrenty ?

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

No, I didn't buy any extended warranty. In fact, the SA from that dealership gave me some bs about the fuel filter update is not covered, etc, etc. I *****ed to MBUSA about not being able to replace the fuel filter with the old style version (out of stock, of course) and threaten to take matters to our state attorney general. The person from MBUSA called me and informed me this is not covered because the update is an improvement not recall. Whatever, he then asked me which dealer I spoke with. I promtly told him the dealership's name. 2 hours after I hung up with the MBUSA phone rep, the service mananger from the dealer called me and offered to update the fuel system as I described in my previous post.

p.s. They didn't tell me the fuel pump was part of this, but what a pleasant surprise, they replaced it as well, under warranty. I guess since I bought a BMW from this same dealr last year, they are probably trying to keep me as a long term customer.

Just did the update and fuel filter last night. Thanks to all of the good info on this forum, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The most difficult part of the whole ordeal would probably be the removal of the seat. There were a total of ten bolts anchoring the seat to the floor. I found the tool that Sdanville posted a picture of a couple of posts up at the local Pep Boys for $9.99 - it made the job much easier that it otherwise would have been. Before disconnecting the lines, I depressurized the fuel system by removing the fuel pump fuse (F38) and giving the truck a few cranks to clear the lines - that way I wouldn't have to worry about getting a fuel bath when I disconnected the first line. I used silicone sealant to glue the access plate back on to the floor.

__________________
-98 Polar white ML320 - M1 Package, Bilstein Shocks, H&R Rear Lowering springs, monochrome paint scheme (like MY2000+ ML's), ML430 wheels and tires, MY2002+ halogen headlights

I did the fuel filter change last week in my ’99 ML430. First, I would like to thank the posters that explained their experiences doing this job. Second, I would like to curse MB for making what should be a simple job into a very time consuming endeavor. Who ever heard of having to remove the back seat, tire and inner fender well to change a fuel filter? Not to mention removing the glued in panel under the rear seat. There had to be a better way. Imagine how much $ they have made for the dealers with this one?


’99 ML 430
’70 220D

I guess in MB's defense (not that it's my perogative to defend MB), this is actually a fuel filter "update", not what normally has to be done to simply change the filter (in other words, it'll be MUCH easier next time), and also "back in the day" when they dreamt up this updated filter, MB was willing to pay to have this work all done, so for quite a number of owners this was done comps of MB.

Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Point well taken, If (when) I have to change the fuel pump I'll be pretty happy for the access panel under the seat.

Steve
’99 ML 430
’70 220D

It's an OK job to change the fuel filter only, too.
Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

At the last scheduled service of my 2000 ML320 at about 50,000 miles, I was told by my MB service rep I needed to have the fuel filter changed at a cost of about $500. I decided not to have it done, but had no idea why a fuel filter would cost so much.
I found the information regarding the "product enhancement" after reading about it in this forum, and took the info, along with a copy of the TSB to my dealer when I had the truck in for new front and rear brakes and rotors at 57,000 miles.
They told me that they had never seen the TSB. They also said that since it was not a safety recall, the upgrade was not covered under warranty, but still needed to be done at the next service at about 60,000 miles, and paid for by me, since my vehicle (purchased new from them with the MB extended warranty) was out of factory warranty.
A couple of days later, they called me back and told me the service manager approved the update per MY COPY of the TSB under the "goodwill assistance" plan.
My dealer just performed the retrofit which included the new fuel lines and the new fuel filter. It was all covered under warranty.
Thank you all for the valuable information you provide in this forum.

jdrtina

That's just SUPER, glad to hear things like this, makes it all worthwhile. And the thing is, is that MB really does want to make sure the owners, especially the original owners, are taken care of, regardless of what others say about the downward spiralling of MB. It's just the personnel out in the field, at the dealership level, alot of them don't understand this.

Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Wish me luck. I am going to make an appointment with 2001 TSB in hand for my next B service. Before the service I'll ask them if they have performed this item under warranty as suggested by the TSB. If not, then why not. We'll see what happens. I'll keep you posted.

Well, got a quote today from Ewing in Plano of $700 for the fuel filter swap. Not budging on any sort of warranty or discount or anything.

They said the TSB was a "guideline" from MB, not a recall. Also told my wife that she really only needs to change the filter if it's giving her problems. With that sort of logic, I should not change my oil filter until the engine siezes or my coolant until the radiator is plugged up.

Oh yeah, almost forgot. Add a power steering pump to my running list of failed parts on this vehicle. I need to go find my thread and update that list again.

Time to try a different dealership if you have one in your area. They are not created equal. Been there, done that.

What did you use to seal up the access panel below the rear seat? MB WIS just states sealing compound.