Recognizable Symptoms of a Clogged Fuel Tank Screen Filter in Your Mercedes

One important issue not to be overlooked in your Mercedes is the fuel tank screen filter. Mercedes designed the engine very intentionally to avoid getting damaging debris in the engine, but this safety precaution still needs to be properly maintained or can lead to greater issues.

The screen filter is a first line of defense grabbing large debris that would damage the smaller and more refined filters down the line. It is not uncommon to have some build up as that is what the filter is designed to do, but if it remains this way performance will drop.

This is important to know as a Mercedes owner because it is a specialized part that could need attention before your next regularly-scheduled maintenance. This may require extra vigilance on the part of the owner to be able to recognize a problem and know when to bring your Mercedes to a service center.

Although this is a difficult problem to fix yourself, there are some signs that it is time to have your Mercedes looked at by a professional. With any luxury vehicle, your car will take care of you as long as you take care of your car. At the first notice of any of these problems, it is worth bringing your car in for an inspection.

Common Signs of a Clogged Fuel Tank Screen Filter

The first stops in line from the gas tank are the ignition and spark plugs. A couple of common signs can be clear indications that your filter is clogged and causing a decrease in performance:

• Check engine light: This may sound silly, but all too often drivers ignore this warning light, thinking a tire is just a little low on air or they can get by until the next scheduled maintenance. Remember, the fuel screen filter is intended to catch large pieces of debris floating through, so it is not a problem when the filter has become a little clogged, as that means it’s functioning properly. The problems arise if a clogged filter is not changed or cleaned. So paying attention to a check engine warning is an easy way to catch this issue in its early stages.
• Misfiring or difficulty starting: As mentioned above, the removal of debris in fuel maintains proper operation of the remainder of the fuel system. That means if the filter is becoming clogged and overall flow is impeded, the ignition or spark plugs may be the first parts to suffer. This will not initially damage the vehicle but if the filter is not cleaned or replaced right away damage to the rest of the system will be sustained.
• A failing fuel pump: More serious, and probably a sign that the filter has been dirty for some time, is damage to the fuel pump. When the fuel flow is impeded more burden is placed on the fuel pump to maintain the same power and performance. Preventative maintenance, such as keeping the filters clean, will result in other parts like the fuel pump itself operating optimally and not having to be replaced prematurely.

Euro Plus Automotive for Your Mercedes

Ideally, during routine maintenance and inspection, issues will be found far before it is a problem. With a drop in performance being the first sign of a potential problem, the good news is that this regular maintenance can easily stem the issue by spotting these small warning signs before they become big ones.

Bringing your Mercedes to a certified mechanic will ensure your fuel tank screen filter is clean and operating smoothly and there is no debris damaging your vehicle. At Euro Plus Automotive, we will ensure your Mercedes continues to function as designed by the manufacturer.

Euro Plus Automotive specializes in European makes and models. We are focused on the specific and unique needs of these import brands. You can be confident that our work will be done properly, quickly, and with the utmost care to ensure your satisfaction each time you visit our service center. Give us a call or stop by our convenient Canoga Park, CA location to speak with our friendly, certified technicians. We look forward to providing your future car care needs.