[synpax]

I tap it, and it makes the noise of the little mechanism, but it won't open. This is a pretty serious problem. It was really stupid to make this thing electronic.

It's happened on occasion before but seems to have worked itself out, but it's really problematic and as of right now, I can't get it to work.

I read about previous models having a mechanism in the trunk to release it, but I don't see anything about this one. The manual just says to contact a tech.

I'm on vacation and no really near the dealership, and I'm low on fuel. I'm about to try to get it open with a tool, but I'm not sure how.

Any advice?

 

[JudgeMing]

The mechanism can get stuck. There was another poster on this forum that had that problem. If you can get it open again I would suggest to prevent the mechanism to lock again until you have had the dealer look at it.
There is no overriding mechanism in the car. As long as the doors/trunk are unlocked and the battery provides power, the fuel door should open.

 

[synpax]

I still have coverage, so they sent a tech from an hour away around 5 PM on a Saturday to come take a look. He ended up breaking the hook to re-open it, and now I am using some paper napkins to hold the flap closed.

When I get back to DC, I'll take it into Arlington and they'll fix it for me. Too bad I can't better time these events for the occasion when I could use a loaner sedan.

 

[rhartson]

had to break mine in my R171 as well….have a 172 now-so far so good, but very annoying….sorry to hear of your problem….

 

[Alex 3]

Fuel Flap

had to break mine in my R171 as well….have a 172 now-so far so good, but very annoying….sorry to hear of your problem….

Back in the day, my dad was not paying attention and drove into the back of another car on the way to a race at Harewood Acres outside of Hamilton, ON and pushed the front bumper of the 1958 Bettle in against the hood when we were already on reserve. The fuel filler was a 4" cap under the hood which we could not access.
I had to go beg tools to take the bumper off so we could pry the hood open and fuel the car.
I am having flash backs with this issue as my manual also says consult a specialist which I gather is a the guy with a tire iron or long screwdriver.
What the hell were they thinking locking this thing with a solenoid that you cannot override manually. At least the R170 had a manual release in the trunk as did my W212 wagon in the side wall of the cargo bay.
Sometimes the smart guys in the room are really dumb.

 

[synpax]

Sometimes the smart guys in the room are really dumb.

I pointed out that I thought this was a bad decision with MB emailed me with the service follow-up. The call center was pretty good and the service tech did what he could, but the engineers...

 

[Alex 3]

Actually I believe they are a vacuum system.

 

[Wilhelm Sorban]

In my particular case, the switch that is supposed to trigger the opener has probably been bent inwards, so more force was required on the button.

However, the flap has a limit, so you can't push it inwards too much.

Therefore, if you are a cheap guy with a Merc, like I am, you can DIY like I did today.

I applied a bit of glue on top of the button, just so it will prolong it. So now, when I push the flap to open it, the switch will be activated correctly.

Otherwise, you can just order a new part yourself.

Also, some here are saying that you can't open it from the trunk. Not sure about yours, but mine had a red switch on the back, which can be accessed from the trunk, if you remove the plastic cover.

Pics attached.

 

[Padgett]

Does seem a relic of the fuel crisis and even stranger that the locks are suck/blow pneumatic and have their own reversing air pump. Still if concerned, can just snip the bottom of the lock loop and it won't lock Atol.

Reminds me of my strange yout. Was dating a girl who liked to drive her mother's car, a '57 Silver Cloud. Easiest car I ever saw to hotwire but never did figure out how to get the gas lid open (didn't have the needful tools then).

 

[jbanks15]

fyi this thread is 3 years old.
op has not been on since: Last Activity: 06-01-2015