Chewed up fuel line on 300E - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DanielK · #1 11-02-2008, 07:37 PM

I started smelling gasoline around my car at the end of last week, so today I put the car up on ramps to check it out. The fuel line leading from the tank to the pump is all chewed up and leaking.

I'm taking it to a shop first thing tomorrow morning.

Has anyone had this happen to them? How does it happen? The whole area is covered by a plastic panel; there's nothing there for the hose to rub against. It almost looks like an animal chewed on it - it would have to have been a very highly motivated but very stupid animal, though...

pawoSD · #2 11-02-2008, 09:49 PM

It very well could have been an animal....they do stupid things like that. A chipmunk or squirrel could probably do it pretty easy as they have super sharp teeth....

Mercedes Guy · #3 11-03-2008, 02:07 AM

Animals do strange things sometimes. One time I opened the hood of my 190E and there was a large walnut wedged between the ABS computer and the fender. My car sits outside when I'm at work but otherwise it's always in my garage. I guess a squirrel must have climbed up into the engine compartment and put it there. There's no way it could have bounced up there from the road, especially considering I have the plastic undertray beneath the engine.

rocky raccoon · #4 11-03-2008, 06:05 AM

Found a mouse nest inside the air filter housing on an old Jag I had once. It was a daily driver so I had no idea how long it was riding. Extra filtration I guess.

G-Benz · #5 11-03-2008, 08:37 AM

Pinhole leak on my W124 once, but not chewed up. The pinhole was obviously much harder to find!

$60 for a new hose and a diy fix in about an hour...just need some vise grips to clamp the inlet from the tank so that you aren't showered with raw fuel as you do the fix!