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  #1  
Old 09-08-2015, 02:18 PM
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Location: Downtown Los Angeles
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Angry 07 e350 with 104k miles - Fuel Pump Reasonable to go out?

Hi all... I hate these situations. I'm new to LA and don't have a mechanic lined up yet. Of course, the car died in traffic - acting like it ran out of fuel, but the tank is half full.

I had it towed to an independent with "decent" reviews on Yelp. He's telling me the fuel pump is out, $650 to replace.

Questions:

1) Is it reasonable for the fuel pump to go out on this car at 104k miles? I really thought he was going to come back and tell me it was the crank shaft sensor.

2) Is $650 reasonable for this repair in the SoCal area?

3) Anything to ask or confirm before letting them go ahead with the repair?

Thanks everyone!

Craig

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Craig

2011 e350 Wagon < Grey on Grey/Brown. I kind of think I'm cool driving around in this thing, but I know I'm wrong.
2007 e350 4Matic Wagon < Black on Black
2003 e320 Wagon < Black on Oyster. Dog Hauler. Replaced at 170k. Great car!
1990 300SE, Black on Black < Totalled
1991 560SEL, Black on Black < Current, sits around a lot
1972 280SL < Sold, but not forgotten.
1972 280SEL 4.5 < Gorgeous car. Lost to a freak accident.
1985 300TD < "Merzilla". Put 300k on her.
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  #2  
Old 09-08-2015, 07:10 PM
engatwork's Avatar
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Location: Soperton, Ga. USA
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I've never seen a MB fuel pump go out at that mileage but that is not to say it couldn't happen. I just had to change the one in my E320 with 251k miles and the wife described it dying about the way you described. I went ahead and changed out the fuel filter too while I had it down.

That is a high price for around here. Really ez job on that application if you ask me. It takes less than an hour to change and a new VDO unit can be had for around $200.

Be thankful the tank is only about 1/2 full.
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  #3  
Old 09-09-2015, 07:25 PM
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Location: Philadelphia, PA
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It's very common and very easy to confirm. Just poke the schrader valve at the end of the fuel rail and see if fuel sprays out while someone cranks it. If no fuel comes out, check voltage at the pump under the rear seat. If it has battery voltage at the connector then you probably have a bad pump. Make sure they do both sides when they replace it
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  #4  
Old 08-12-2018, 01:31 PM
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I have a similar problem on my 06 E350 - I have looked at a new pump both in the MB Parts System and others and it looks like there's only one fuel pump - what do you mean about doing both sides? Looks like the pump has a cover with 6 M5 screws, then the locking ring and the fuel pump. Guess I can remove both and see what's there but I'd prefer to know what I will find. Please explain "both sides". Thanks -
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  #5  
Old 08-12-2018, 10:16 PM
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Location: los angeles
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My 09 e 350 fuel pump went out , luckily it has p-zev warr extended warr to over 10 years at 35,000 miles
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  #6  
Old 08-12-2018, 11:01 PM
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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Maybe the car had a history of a lot of idle time? Engine/pumps running but not moving much? My 420SEL had noisy pumps when I got it with only 130k on it, they still worked but I replaced them as you could clearly hear them inside the car at all times. I've never actually seen one fail on any MB however....
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  #7  
Old 08-13-2018, 09:11 AM
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Old thread but valid subject.

Running a car with a partially clogged fuel filter will increase pump load and wear. The fuel filter is acting as a restriction increasing fuel pressure between the pump and filter however pressure from filter to engine is still adequate.

This condition will go unnoticed for some time until the engine computer can no longer compensate and throws a lean code or starts to run bad under high load conditions.
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  #8  
Old 08-13-2018, 12:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by l_turn9 View Post
I have a similar problem on my 06 E350 - I have looked at a new pump both in the MB Parts System and others and it looks like there's only one fuel pump - what do you mean about doing both sides? Looks like the pump has a cover with 6 M5 screws, then the locking ring and the fuel pump. Guess I can remove both and see what's there but I'd prefer to know what I will find. Please explain "both sides". Thanks -
I'm not sure what the earlier poster meant by "both sides" but I have an '06 E350 station wagon and it only has one fuel pump.

Do you ever notice a fuel smell after filling the tank up? I recently took my car to the dealership because after filling the tank I would notice a gas smell in my garage that would last for a few days. The dealership told me that MB had extended the warranty on certain fuel-related components because of an issue with the fuel tanks leaking on W211 models. The remedy was to replace the fuel tank, fuel pump, and fuel filter, which they did at no charge to me. This won't be of any help to you, however, unless your tank is leaking. My understanding is that the dealership confirms this by checking for fuel pooling on top of the tank under the rear seat, which I suppose you could check at home. If you smell or see fuel after filling the tank up, it might be worth it to take it in to the dealership and talk to them about a warranty repair.
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'06 Mercedes E350 station wagon (silver/black)
'85 Mercedes 300D (black pearl/palomino)
'85 Mercedes 300SD (smoke silver/burgundy)
'79 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

'05 Toyota Camry (because always running is nice)

'85 Mercedes 300D sold back to orig. owner 8-1-06
'84 Volvo 264GL Diesel, owned 2000-2013
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  #9  
Old 08-13-2018, 05:10 PM
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Thanks Christopher,
I get a very brief time of mild gas fumes after fill up but it only lasts a few minutes and when I removed the rear seat and pulled the black insulation and removed the covers - no sign of fuel or even evidence that it had ever been wet so I doubt that'll work for me - just as you suggested.
I did confirm that my MB is covered by the 15 yr warranty extension that covers "fuel tank and its components" but so far have been unable to contact anyone who can explain if failure of the fuel pump is covered.

I'm happy to hear MB replaced your tank, pump, etc for you!! Other than that how's the E350 holding up? Is the Engine light on? I have been told I have the Cam Sensor issue but the engine ran great before the pump died. I'm trying to decide whether to keep or sell it once I replace the pump. I am normally a MB Diesel guy and I should have learned my lesson the last time I owned a Gas MB. Ever hard headed I guess.

Thanks again -
Larry
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  #10  
Old 08-13-2018, 08:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by l_turn9 View Post
. . . but so far have been unable to contact anyone who can explain if failure of the fuel pump is covered. . . . Other than that how's the E350 holding up? Is the Engine light on? I have been told I have the Cam Sensor issue but the engine ran great before the pump died. I'm trying to decide whether to keep or sell it once I replace the pump. I am normally a MB Diesel guy . . .
Based on the conversation I had with my service advisor at the dealership, the pump would NOT have been covered absent the leaking tank, but you’ll of course want to confirm that. They told me that MB considers the tank, pump, and filter to be essentially “one part” for purposes of replacement. Thus, because my tank was leaking, I got the other stuff because it “came with the tank.”

I’d rate the car overall as decent. It has about 118,000 miles on it now. I’ve had it since ‘08. I bought it off lease. The only two times the check engine light has ever come on for me was when the dealer left a vacuum hose loose after doing some transmission work and when one of the new spark plugs they installed at 90,000 miles failed a few days after it was installed. My wife likes the car; it has been reliable for her and my kids. I usually try to keep her vehicles for 10 or so years. The car has had its fair share of little issues that, while not making it unreliable, have made me think twice about replacing it with another Mercedes. Honestly, though, I think the first year of the M272 and 722.9 transmission in the W211 was just a bit rough and I should have probably thought more about buying a “first year model.”

What is the “cam sensor issue?” The wiring harnesses for my cam position sensors were replaced under a recall, I think. Is that what you’re talking about? Or are you referring to the balance shaft issue? The latter is expensive to repair, and I think we’re both out of the “help from MB” period for that. My feeling is that, because of the complicated electronics on these cars, as they get older, they are going to cost a lot to keep on the road for folks who don’t have the time to do a lot of DIY. Also, they are never going to be as dependable and cheap to run as a comparably sized Honda or Toyota (although the MB is a much nicer driving car). If cheap and dependable is what you’re going for, I’d probably get it running, sell it, and buy a Japanese sedan. I still daily drive my ‘85 300D. Somewhere along the way, luxury cars became more about the latest features and less about being built to last for a really long time; I think that’s what the car buying public wants. It’s not really what I like, but I’m in the minority there, and I’m okay with that.

I hope you can get yours running again without too much trouble.
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'06 Mercedes E350 station wagon (silver/black)
'85 Mercedes 300D (black pearl/palomino)
'85 Mercedes 300SD (smoke silver/burgundy)
'79 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

'05 Toyota Camry (because always running is nice)

'85 Mercedes 300D sold back to orig. owner 8-1-06
'84 Volvo 264GL Diesel, owned 2000-2013
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  #11  
Old 08-14-2018, 08:31 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 141
re: 07 E350 with 104k miles - Fuel Pump reasonable to go out?

The Cam Sensor issue is where the sensors around the balance shaft indicates the balance shaft is out of round. It's pretty common on the W211 E350 3.5L V6 like we have. My CEL came on and the shop explained the Balance Shaft Issue along with a problem I have with solenoids on the intake manifold. They said the solenoids come assembled with the Intake Manifold making it an expensive replacement (as usual). The cam issue is a common one and should appear if you google it. Here's a good explanation: You are being redirected...

I have had MBs for nearly 30 years. I started with a W108 gas (280S) and then bought my real love - a W123 240D followed by a W124 1991 300D which I consider to be one of the best cars MB ever made. I also had a 73 280SE 4.5 which was an awesome car - I've heard rumors that MB engineers consider it to be the best MB ever made. My money is on the W124 300D. That diesel was rock solid and easy to work on. It's at 275k Miles now and I hope to keep it on the road forever.

It seems like MB has had increasing quality problems over the last 20 years. I fear passenger car diesels are over after the VW cheating problem.

Good luck!
LarryT
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  #12  
Old 08-15-2018, 11:13 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: los angeles
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fuel pump

Quote:
Originally Posted by l_turn9 View Post
Thanks Christopher,
I get a very brief time of mild gas fumes after fill up but it only lasts a few minutes and when I removed the rear seat and pulled the black insulation and removed the covers - no sign of fuel or even evidence that it had ever been wet so I doubt that'll work for me - just as you suggested.
I did confirm that my MB is covered by the 15 yr warranty extension that covers "fuel tank and its components" but so far have been unable to contact anyone who can explain if failure of the fuel pump is covered.

I'm happy to hear MB replaced your tank, pump, etc for you!! Other than that how's the E350 holding up? Is the Engine light on? I have been told I have the Cam Sensor issue but the engine ran great before the pump died. I'm trying to decide whether to keep or sell it once I replace the pump. I am normally a MB Diesel guy and I should have learned my lesson the last time I owned a Gas MB. Ever hard headed I guess.

Thanks again -
Larry
, If your car has pzev the fuel pump/tank is definety covered by extended war, as the pump cannot be replaced seperately
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  #13  
Old 01-25-2019, 04:05 PM
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Posts: 141
07 e350 with 104k miles - Fuel Pump Reasonable to go out?

Hi Ya'll,
Sorry I forgot to tell everyone how my fuel pump issue ended up. I ended up having it towed to the dealer who fixed it under warranty. As others have mentioned, all the components relating to the fuel tank were replaced. Tank, pump, filter and I believe some fuel lines. All was covered by the extended warranty. It seems most E Class built from approx 2003 to 2007 are covered. Provide the dealer with the VIN and they can check it. BTW, saying you had fuel odor is important to mention.

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