W126 Fuel Filter Need Quick Help
 

I took my 1990 300SEL to a new shop that is supposed to be good and asked them to change the fuel filter because the car sat a long time before I bought it. Was having No problems and getting good mileage, just wanted to keep it nice. And I thought it would be like the gas filters on American cars, not that big of a deal.

They called and said I needed a new metal line because "it's an old car and sometimes when you change the fuel filter, the line breaks". About $195 parts and labor because they broke the line.

Then they called me back to say there is a leak and I need a new rubber hose too.

I used to work on older cars than this one, and I know that occasionally you break something because the parts are old, but a gas line on a 1990? Does this sound possible and reasonable, just unlucky, or am I getting seriously ripped off? I haven't picked up the car or paid yet, so I still have a chance to argue about the bill if you experts on this forum tell me it is justified to do so.

Thank you for any help, which I need quickly because I am supposed to pick it up later today.

My fuel line sprung a leak on my 1986 420sel when I changed the fuel filter. It was a rubber line though that was all dried up. I think I bought a new line at Fastlane here for about 35 bucks. I dont really see how an all metal line can break though. You do however have to make sure there are new crush washers all around down there as it would not stop leaking until I got them all correct.

Much depends on where the car spent most of its life. My 560SL, only 4 years older than yours, started out in Florida and then languished in Mass. until I brought it to Canada a little over a year ago. I suspect the Florida salt air contributed most to the rust on the steel lines on the filter assembly. Interestingly, only one was in good condition, somehow avoiding the plating deterioration which will rust the line in no time, once it starts.
If you didn't examine the condition of the line(s) before they started the work, perhaps they still have the old one(s) to show you. IMO, this sounds like a legitimate charge, part cost being dependent on which line broke. On my SL, I know at least one was well over $100.00, aftermarket IIRC, so dealer cost would be more.
I had to remove the entire pump/filter/accumulator assembly, perform a major parts replacement and overhaul.... but I digress, as that isn't relevent to your situation. Suffice it to say that the first 1/8" turn of the wrench at the filter connection was enough to rupture the steel line.
Regarding the hose pieces, again, rubber goes south with age, and we're looking at nearly 20 years on your car, at a rubber hose that spent it's entire life about 6" from the ground. If they pinched one of them to do the work, standard practise, that would easily do it in. I avoided that by doing it the 'messy way', nearly empty tank, drain into bucket method, lots of fuel up the arm and on the floor, goggles over eyes...you get the picture, why they'd avoid doing this.

I didnt think about the rust issue. I'm glad I live in Texas. All my metal lines look great.

Many thanks for the info. The car sat for over 3 years on a parking lot on the central east coast of the US.

Maybe it's good to have the work done now rather than after a breakdown. I just didn't want to start out at a new shop giving them a blank check without letting them know I'm watching them.

Can't thank you enough........

I can certainly see how it's possible for the line to have broken as the exact same thing happened to me when I was changing my fuel filter earlier this year. Here is a link to the thread if you are interested:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/219832-fuel-line-broke-during-filter-replacement.html

Thank you very much.
BTW - I didn't know anything about the EPC referred to in that thread. Looks like you need to give them a credit card "just to verify the address" (don't know why) but it is supposed to be free for a year.

Before doing all of that, do the parts catalogs that they refer to have exploded diagrams so that it is actually a useful resource for working on the car other than justt getting MB parts numbers?

Yeah you gotta put your card number but they dont charge you. The EPC is a great tool to have. Reminds me, my subscription is up in 18 days!

Donbryce,

Florida cars don't rust unless you live on the beach and drive it on or near the sand. We get so much rain that salt just can't sit on a car long enough. It's far more likely that Massachusetts road salt is to blame. We rarely see rust down here unless the car was an island dweller. Even then, it's usually the body panels and not the undercarriage for some reason, unless it's a light pickup truck and then the whole thing kinda just erodes away. Something about the bed......

-tp

That sounds pretty unusual (what happened).


You could always charge the "repair" on a credit card, and then dispute the bill and the credit card won't bill you until the dispute is settled, IF you notify the credit card company quickly, in less than I think, 30 days.....

I was planning to change the fuel filter on my SEC pretty soon for the first time and was wondering what parts might be the most likely ones to need replacing along with the filter. Is the rubber hose that needs to be tied off the one that goes all the way from the gas tank or is it just a short piece? I'd like to have it in hand before I start, having heard some of the stories I have heard about this.

I had to replace the short piece. Also, dont forget the crush washers.

If your fuel pumps looked like this below foto it could explain some things

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/...b332d5c5_o.jpg