vapor locked..is this a thing?
 

I saw this ad..always browsing CL for cheap cars. I’ve heard of vapor lock on old cars-like from the 60s-but it was something else. I’m not sure what this is referring to (“gas tank is vapor locked..will only take on a minimal amount of gas”). Anyone have an idea of what might be going on here?

https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/d/1998-mercedes-e320/6501412833.html

Would pressure in the tank be relieved by removing the filler cap? Sounds more like a pinched filler hose limiting fuel flow into the tank. Mind the front spring perches.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

There are on many newer cars quite a lot ot the fuel venting and tank filling stuffs, for 986/996 Porsche for example they actually have a magnetic switch that senses the fuel filler nozzle going in the neck and opens a venting valve(one of several), when it fails you can't put fuel in the thing basically. Plenty fixable but can be an annoyance without service info or a lift depending on how it's set up. Joys of newer cars..

It means that the owner has repeatedly topped off the tank to the filler neck and has flooded the charcoal canister and also vent valve. Thats why it wont take gas.

When working correct, the vent valve is open to to relieve the air pocket through the charcoal canister when you are filling gas in the car.

If the charcoal canister is flooded with gasoline, air cannot purge from the tank and the filler clicks off as liquid/air tries to burp from the filler.

I don’t think that’s possible on a 210. If you really want it, I suppose it’s worth a look.

sure it is. - usually happens when people pour in some additive without a funnel jammed in the filler neck.

The W202 95 - 00 C class gets a fuel filling issue due to a vent valve, not sure if this is same as W210 or not.

Fixing this car would be a non issue as the problem is limited to the filler / tank / vapor canister.

I once fixed a customers 90's GM car that suddenly stopped taking fuel. Someone pealed off the gas pump weights and measures cert sticker, folded it up and stuck it into the gas nozzle. The sticker went down the fill tube, expanded then blocked the roll over check valve.

Another thought. What if the gas gauge is broken reading empty but the tank is actually full? In any event I'd buy it if an otherwise good car then drain the tank to see how much is in there.

similar issue here like you see on the 202