I have a 1989 300SEL. I cannot get the fuel door open to put in gas. My OWNERS MANUAL says to "pullback the knob on the vacuum element on the right side of the trunk". I CAN NOT FIND THE KNOB. Do I need to pullback/remove the liner? Is it in my face and I just can't see it?
I don't have enough gas to get to my repair shop for help!

I've never seen it but supposedly you pull back on the liner in the area of the right trunk hinge.

If you're in the US, you can call MB for help. The 800 number is in the glove box door.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

If you can't find "the knob" pull back the trunk liner on the right side, often easier by starting out by the tail lights. Once you can see the inner fender metal, reach up inside to just behind the area of your gas cover. There you will feel a knob of sorts. The idea is to gently pull towards the back of the car to allow the cover to open.

Often you can just about see it when your head is inside the trunk with your face close to the right hand side.

There are two temp measures:

-You can use an 8mm wrench or socket and remove the vacuum element, pull the vacuum lines off of the lock element and bridge the two tubes with a piece of tubing.

-This isn't so pretty, but you can also bend the lock tab on the gas cover lid. The problem with this is often the pain chips.

I recommend the first.

Keep us posted,

Haasman

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)