want advice on upgrading Fuel pump lines and filter on an 01' 430(Dealer is balking) - Benzworld.org

hrlydavison · 06-01-2005, 12:19 PM

SO I read about the fuel system upgrade here and the fact that the pre 2002 filter isnt made anymore.

I have a 53,000 mile truck with 3years of starmark warranty. He says the fuel system upgrade(fuel pump,lines and filter) would not be a warranty item. He also said that only the lines and the filter need to be upgraded NOT the pump. He also said the fuel system wasnt changed in 2002 because of a flaw in the pre 2002 system, but rather it was just a change in the newer model for 2002.(but I thought Mercedes determined the pre 2002 pump was defective?)

So who is right? Should it be covered under mercedes dime? They are the ones who dont make the filter anymore and I should have to pay for the new lines as well? Seems kinda crappy if you ask me.

Did any of you guys get the upgrade covered? Please list responses in detail as they have my truck in the shop right now fixing a few small items that werent right when I purchased it a couple of weeks ago. I thought I would do the upgrade early before the recommended filter replacement at 60,000 miles

Thanks

Darkmann · 06-01-2005, 01:09 PM

for post MY00, the fuel sending unit was problematic and they'd replace them under warranty only if there was a problem with it. As fas as replacing the fuel lines, where did you read that? Was that a pre MY02 problem?

hrlydavison · 06-01-2005, 01:29 PM

I read about the fuel lines here in a couple of posts, but in other posts it mentions the fuel pump, filter and regulator(english for pump?)

But my SA did say that the filter and lines need to be changed all at once???? I would wonder why the old lines would not work with the new filter too. Perhaps it has to do with the proper fuel pressure and /or flow????

But anyway it goes he said about $250 to change to the new fuel lines and filter.

Anyone else?? Somebdy tell me they got the upgraded system on Mercedes dime because of a TSB or something.

dakat · 06-01-2005, 01:41 PM

I had my filter upgrade done last spring on my MY00 430 under Starmark warranty. New lines are required because the new filter is a different design. My old fuel regulator was making a high pitched whine in the LR fenderwell. I took it to my dealer and he changed to new filter and also threw in a a new pump and regulator all under the Starmark warranty. So, yes you could say I had a defect that prompted them to change out my filter to the new design, but then they threw in the new pump and sending unit too! Hope this helps you!! [8D]

treeman5 · 06-01-2005, 03:09 PM

I'm taking my 01 ML320 in on Thursday for a new fuel pump...I'm having them change the fuel filter while they are back there since it requires the new lines. I'll let you know what the lines and filter cost me...the cheapest I could find the new filter online was $93.

Wolfgang · 06-02-2005, 09:07 AM

hrlydavison,

here are some instructions for the filter upgrade with pictures Robert Herandez sent in.

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/fuelfilter_install.html

More info incl TSB is on this page:

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/badgas.html

hrlydavison · 06-02-2005, 10:35 AM

Thanks everyone(love your website Wolfgang, I have got lots of great info from it!!!) I will keep you posted on what the dealers final position is. I will tell him I am aware of the problems and the TSB and argue my warranty is for three years/100K and I should have the upgrade to the less faulty redesigned pump.

AC_ML · 06-02-2005, 12:34 PM

I was reading one of the links in the posts and saw a green cilindrical object that looked like a D battery cell. Anybody knows what is that object and what part of the fuel pump is..?

If the sender or mechanical level is defective, can one just change the sender of mechanical level..? or is everything welded/sealed and not serviceable..?

thanks,

AC

rudeney · 06-02-2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

I was reading one of the links in the posts and saw a green cilindrical object that looked like a D battery cell. Anybody knows what is that object and what part of the fuel pump is..?

<slaps forehead> Maybe that's the problem! The darn thing just needs a new battery! [:D]

- RODNEY

treeman5 · 06-02-2005, 02:38 PM

As I understand it, the fuel pump/sender is not serviceable, not even the "D" battery! [:)]

The dealer just called...he's still fighting the warranty company to get the filter and lines tossed in as part of the pump replacement. Otherwise, they want to charge me $532 for the filter and lines! Lucky for me, I have a copy of the TSB that says all models that fall in the serial number range need to be changed over (thanks wolfgang!)...hopefully that will help "nudge" them...