Mistress Heather's in Trouble Gas Tank Door - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mistress · #1 09-02-2006, 02:52 PM

I had a Mercedes Benz Meltdown Moment at the gas station today. Just got the car out of the shop yesterday, today I went to get gas (I never let it get below 1/4 of a tank ) and the tank door won't release. All the door locks release but I noticed the rear passenger door lock which is on the same side as the gas tank releases REALLLLY SLOW. Is there a manual release somewhere in the trunk I can use? I've heard of separation anxiety in children but separation anxiety between a car and its mechanic?

JamesDean · #2 09-02-2006, 02:59 PM

there should be a little pull rod in the truck for the fuel tank door lock. typically one has to remove the mouldings to get to it. once you remove those things it could be fairly easy to spot. just pull it towards you to unlock.

best of luck

kris

Larry Delor · #3 09-02-2006, 09:20 PM

Since you just got the car back from a shop, I would check the engine compartment for any vacuum hoses that may have been inadvertantly disconnected. (or check the areas that work was done at, if not the engine area)

Gilly · #4 09-02-2006, 09:53 PM

The right rear door and trunk flap are on the same branch of the vacuum system. Could be a Y connector in the system, but more than likely the trunk flap or RR door flap actuator are bad. What was it in the shop for?
Yes you will feel either a metal rod or plastic knob you pull back (in the same direction that the rod itself travels) which is just mechanically unlocking the flap. Not hard.
Gilly

Mistress · #5 09-02-2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

The right rear door and trunk flap are on the same branch of the vacuum system. Could be a Y connector in the system, but more than likely the trunk flap or RR door flap actuator are bad. What was it in the shop for?
Yes you will feel either a metal rod or plastic knob you pull back (in the same direction that the rod itself travels) which is just mechanically unlocking the flap. Not hard.
Gilly

Thanks for responding guys, I had the antenna mast replaced but noticed that the door locks were slow in responding when I first purchased the car and knew it was a only a matter of time......I'll shall "Go Forth and Release" (no pun intended) tomorrow, let you know what happens...your the best.

Gilly · #6 09-02-2006, 10:07 PM

Heather or Siduri or whoever you really are

, this should also be shown in the owners manual, may make it a bit clearer what you're looking for.
Gilly

Mistress · #7 09-02-2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

Heather or Siduri or whoever you really are

, this should also be shown in the owners manual, may make it a bit clearer what you're looking for.
Gilly

If I had the manual.....

Gilly · #8 09-02-2006, 10:25 PM

Yeah I hear that alot..........
Gilly

whunter · #9 09-02-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siduri19

If I had the manual.....

You can get a new owners manual through MBUSA, your local dealer or on line.

MB Tech Manuals from MBUSA cost $19.99 plus S&H
MB Tech Manuals from MBUSA

Mistress · #10 09-02-2006, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

Yeah I hear that alot..........
Gilly

Now I"ll have you know I've been making an effort to buy one off of E-bay, honestly, the closest I have come is a 1987 420 SEL and I need a 1990 and we all know that isn't close enough, besides who else is gonna bug you on a Saturday night?????

Johnhef · #11 09-02-2006, 10:43 PM

If you havent had it fixed by next weekend, I can try my luck with it if you like.

Jim B. · #12 09-03-2006, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siduri19

If I had the manual.....

What!!!??? This much time and you don't have an owner's manual??

*You* of all people, who put so much love and $$$ into that
car, your lifetime car, restoring her little by little till she is brought back to a royal status?

Can't believe the whole thing!!!

Listen, go ahead and check ebay, there is no real significant differences in the owner's manual from 1988 through 1991, you should have no trouble picking up an owner's manual for your W126. Further, you should treat Maxine to a nice leather zippered binder for the owner's manual, they slip right inside the door pocket, they are black, get a used one off ebay for $8 or so or a nice new one for $20--$30 fresh from your dealer. They are a must have, you'll learn what fuses you need, fluid capaicties, how you can blip the cruise control up or down 1 mph at a time, how the european standing lights work and what they are for, it will really help you bond with the car and really understand and appreciate the clever engineering and convenience features built into it.

Sweat the details! Is the tool kit in the wheel well, jack/handle in place, proper air pressure in all tires INCLUDING the spare tire, a cheap insurance is having all the fuses either cleaned and turned, or new ones put in. After all,
you seem to be (like me) basically a non wrench but you are intent in building a kind of database of maintenance from ground zero when you acquired the car. How is the steering box and Power steering pump? They tend to leak sometimes. The motor mounts could collapse at anytime from 50k to 100,000 miles. How're your shocks? A new set of Bilstein comfort shocks and a $30 steering shock and a 4 wheel alignment ($75-$85 at a good shop, or your dealer) good, balanced tires and your car will track straight and true as a new one, up to 140 mph. No kiddin'. How do the V belts and radiator hoses look? Radiator and thermostat OK? Check the master cylinder, see if the brake fluid should be flushed, depending on mileage, every couple of years, according to the maintenance book, it is supposed to be stamped by the shop even!! Inspect the muffler hangers and if they are dried out they could crack,I ignored mine and the whole exhaust system fell away and scraped the ground at 60 mph!!

I had the flex disks replaced. Those things let go and the driveshaft might hit the pavement, if the front one goes at 70 mph it could hit the pavement and get stuck and flip the car. Very bad.

Not trying to scare you but only urging you to buy andread your manual,
you will be really glad you did. Most everything you'll need is there, and you can ask here for other questions. Once you get things sorted, you'll be able to fire up the car and drive with confidence anywhere you can imagine.

And the company stands behind the 420SEL, with 1-800-ForMercedes you can call and get a complimentary flat repair, battery jump (Even a new battery installed on site and brought to you if you pay, I actualy did that once) and a couple of gallons of gas if you run out.

Plus, the parts pipeline for the 420SEL is still REALLY good at any dealer, try that with your Chevy Caprice or toyota Camry.....
Fraulein Maxine schrieb: Achtung, we haff rules und zey MUST be obeyed!

Mistress Heather deserves a whipping, a sound thrashing for that owner's manual omission!

No soup for YOU tonight. Bad girl.

Auf wiedersehen.

Gilly · #13 09-03-2006, 09:36 AM

True enough concerning who else is going to be asking questions on a Saturday night if you all have your manuals. But, might be nice thing to have in case the computer is not available. MB sells them pretty close to what you'd find it for on eBay anyways, since you wouldn't pay shipping like on most eBay sales.
Gilly

Mistress · #14 09-03-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

What!!!??? This much time and you don't have an owner's manual??

*You* of all people, who put so much love and $$$ into that
car, your lifetime car, restoring her little by little till she is brought back to a royal status?

Can't believe the whole thing!!!

Listen, go ahead and check ebay, there is no real significant differences in the owner's manual from 1988 through 1991, you should have no trouble picking up an owner's manual for your W126. Further, you should treat Maxine to a nice leather zippered binder for the owner's manual, they slip right inside the door pocket, they are black, get a used one off ebay for $8 or so or a nice new one for $20--$30 fresh from your dealer. They are a must have, you'll learn what fuses you need, fluid capaicties, how you can blip the cruise control up or down 1 mph at a time, how the european standing lights work and what they are for, it will really help you bond with the car and really understand and appreciate the clever engineering and convenience features built into it.

Sweat the details! Is the tool kit in the wheel well, jack/handle in place, proper air pressure in all tires INCLUDING the spare tire, a cheap insurance is having all the fuses either cleaned and turned, or new ones put in. After all,
you seem to be (like me) basically a non wrench but you are intent in building a kind of database of maintenance from ground zero when you acquired the car. How is the steering box and Power steering pump? They tend to leak sometimes. The motor mounts could collapse at anytime from 50k to 100,000 miles. How're your shocks? A new set of Bilstein comfort shocks and a $30 steering shock and a 4 wheel alignment ($75-$85 at a good shop, or your dealer) good, balanced tires and your car will track straight and true as a new one, up to 140 mph. No kiddin'. How do the V belts and radiator hoses look? Radiator and thermostat OK? Check the master cylinder, see if the brake fluid should be flushed, depending on mileage, every couple of years, according to the maintenance book, it is supposed to be stamped by the shop even!! Inspect the muffler hangers and if they are dried out they could crack,I ignored mine and the whole exhaust system fell away and scraped the ground at 60 mph!!

I had the flex disks replaced. Those things let go and the driveshaft might hit the pavement, if the front one goes at 70 mph it could hit the pavement and get stuck and flip the car. Very bad.

Not trying to scare you but only urging you to buy andread your manual,
you will be really glad you did. Most everything you'll need is there, and you can ask here for other questions. Once you get things sorted, you'll be able to fire up the car and drive with confidence anywhere you can imagine.

And the company stands behind the 420SEL, with 1-800-ForMercedes you can call and get a complimentary flat repair, battery jump (Even a new battery installed on site and brought to you if you pay, I actualy did that once) and a couple of gallons of gas if you run out.

Plus, the parts pipeline for the 420SEL is still REALLY good at any dealer, try that with your Chevy Caprice or toyota Camry.....
Fraulein Maxine schrieb: Achtung, we haff rules und zey MUST be obeyed!

Mistress Heather deserves a whipping, a sound thrashing for that owner's manual omission!

No soup for YOU tonight. Bad girl.

Auf wiedersehen.

Alright already, the 4 inch stiletto is on the other hoof, I mean foot. I'm sorry, the owners manual is like an accessory....now, let me don my coveralls and go hunting in the trunk....

Larry Delor · #15 09-03-2006, 11:36 AM

This link has links to vacuum diagrams - might come in handy.

Vacuum Diagrams