Help Please, New Merc Owner

[David Kelly]

:cry: I have bought my 1st Merc 3 days ago and it is currently sat in a garage due to a leaking Fuel tank, i have been told it is going to cost £670+ to repalce, can any one help with any suggestions as to what to do, the car is a 200TE Auto (1989). thanks

 

[dieselman]

If you bought the car from a dealer, "take it back". If not look for one from the breakers or have one made by a fabricator. Aluminium, mild steel, or stainless will be cheaper than £670.

 

[David Kelly]

didn't buy from a dealer unfortunatley, private sale, where do i find info about fabricators ???????????.
Can anyone tell me if the Fuel tank comes under the mot, the garage it is in has informed us that this problem has been there for a while, yet it was only mot'd 6 weeks ago??

 

[dieselman]

Fabricators: Yellow pages or any industrial estate. These people want your work.
The WHOLE of the fuel system is covered by the MOT test. You may get the test station to carry out the work if you threaten to report them to the vehicle inspectorate.

 

[David Kelly]

that's very useful to know, thank you, we are currently trying to take some recourse with the :twisted: person who sold us the car, is it possible that he wouldn't have known, the tank has rusted through, he had put enough petrol in it , so the first we knew was when we put some in 2 days after purchase.
Also it would be handy if anyone could help with other known problems that we may face it is a 200 TE Auto 1989

 

[kid-jensen]

David,

Petro-Patch works a treat, and could be more appropriate for your car than shelling out 670 sovs.

Just make sure you get all the rust off (down to bright metal)

 

[Bob 2316]

leaking petrol tank

hi
so how long ago was the MOT issued??? leaking fuel tank is an instant fail!!

as for a new tank doent bother go to a breakers. ican suggest 2

The Garage peel mill st shawforth whitworth lancs
tel: 01706 852221 ask for steve info@mercedesusedparts.co.uk man man ltd
1-2 manor ind est manor hse ave millbrook southampton
tel: 023 8078 4444 ask for chris (i think)!

or merc

hope this is of some help to u.

 

[Bob 2316]

petrol tank

sorry in my haste to send message !!! should rean Merc Man Ltd

 

[David Kelly]

Thanks for all your tips, in response, we picked the car up on 17/01/03, discovered leak 19/01/03 when we put petrol in 1st time, seller had put 1/2 tank in for us!!!!!!!!. MOT was done 13/11/02. But the garage that the car is in said it has 2 holes in that have rusted completely through, and is leaking around the seal, so it's a new tank unfortunatley, as regards to doing it ourselves, i'm a white collar worker , and wouldn't know where to begin, Thanks for the phone numbers, they may come in handy in the future.

 

[Bob 2316]

tank repair

dave shame on you being a white collar worker!!!!
contact some local small garages and find a willing and friendly one that will be willing to fit a second hand tank for you. ask if he dont mind you supplying it or if you like tell him where one is available if he insists on supply and fit.

im sure you can find a small garage locally to you that will be willing to do this after all business is business and small local independants need people like you and me!! give it a go.

bob

 

[wertyuio]

Don't know if this is within the law, but I had a fuel filler pipe that was completed rotted through. I took it off and coated it with Instant Metal (from Halfords or any DIY shop). It was completely water (fuel) tight. You mix two compounds into a paste and smear it on. After a while, it can be ground down and even drilled & screwed. Only one problem, it hardens pretty quickly so be warned.

 

[mbzslk230k]

Petrol is higly flammable and you need to consider whether it is worth saving £670 against your personal safety ...

Personally, I rather find a good 2nd hand unit and get it fix ... but thats me...

BTW - will insurance compnay pay up should the vehicle disappear in a puff of smoke ?

 

[Legoman]

yep i agree , id source a fuel tank from a scrappy some where , theres enough breakers listed on the net just browse away , theres always gonna be alot of wrecked cars with good fuel tanks on as this is one of the most protected area's of the car for obvious reasons

 

[David Kelly]

Thank you everyone, the car is in the local garage being fixed as we speak, personally safety is the most important thing here and with 4 kids that will be chauffered aroound in it, getting it done properly was the most important thing, not the money( but i'm still gutted at being ripped off).
Now i have found this site, i will be coming back in to find out as much about these cars as poss