Removing inside rear quarterpanel 2 get 2 fuel vapour valve
I think this comes under this section, as most of the work is involved in the interior, to get to this elusive valve.
I'm talking about my UK car, 1991 300GE SWB.
Reason for the work is a funny noise (almost like humming, like some bee was trapped in the back) from the rear quarters. This is after a change of fuel filter, pump and pressure accumulator, so I kind of ruled out those parts.
An ex-Merc mechanic advised it might be a valve in the right quarter, that separates fuel from the vapour and returns fuel to the tank, and lets the air out.
So knowing roughly my destination, I started disassembly.
Removed the first aid kit and cover, then pulled out the two black plastic fasteners at the bottom of the panel (you pull the middle section out, not all the way), then that allows you to take the whole fastener out.
Also you must remove the fabric/rubber strip on the side of the door opening, to allow the removal of the interior panel on the back (later 463s have a speaker mounted on this).
Then the seat belt reel and top mount must be removed, but PROCEED WITH CAUTION. If you let the seat belt into the reel more than a certain amount, IT WILL NOT COME OUT AGAIN. I consulted the dealer on this and they said they once saw a mechanic undo it, but generally they just order a new reel! I will attempt disassembly later on.
Don't forget to unscrew the seat belt guide, carefully, as it is held on by 1 screw, and very prone to breaking. Mine was already broken, and I enquired after a replacement, it only costs £1.88, but in grey it was out of stock AND production. Dealer parts clerk said when they get enough orders they might make a new batch (i.e. forget it). But you'll be glad to know the black part is available, if your interior is not grey.
If you take it out, pull the belt out and hold it with some clamp.
Next remove the holding handle mounted near the roof (remove the plastic surround at the ends with a flat screw driver, to allow exposure of the screws under the fabric).
I was very hesitant to pull the whole piece of plastic out of the rubber window surround, but as long as you keep one end in (the end towards the front) you can put it back, just be gentle so as not to ruin the rubber or break the trim piece.
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Now you should be able to move the trim enough to see/touch the valve inside the body (knowing how some ppl like the touchy-feely thing :lol: ).
Let me get this out of the way: getting it out is a pain! Without removing the whole panel that is, but I am not sure I wanted to do that, for fear of not being able to return the window surround.
So it can be done with partial removal of the trim, but first remove the wheel fender/plastic liner, to get to the fuel filler neck, to remove the end of the hose from there that goes to the valve. It is a hose that goes straight up into the body, held at the end by a metal clip (mine broke as I was twisting the hose, no great loss, from years of rust).
Now inside, try to loosen the connection between the valve and the hose that goes to the back of the car (that eventually goes to the outside air vent in the C-pillar). Also try to pull the first hose we talked about out from body, be careful of the metal clip that holds the valve in place, it has sharp edges.
Look at the pics if none of this makes sense, it is not supposed to be a manual, just some encouragement to meddle with it yourself.
After some fiddling the valve comes out, with hopefully nothing broken.
I blew out some dirt from the top hose of the valve, thinking that will solve the problem. It looked like the valve hadn't been touched since it was made in 1991, and all the wax inside was inside the body was intact.
Later I found out the sound returned, and I hadn't really done much, but that is a story for another day, I will probably order a new one and see if it cures it (while the seatbelt is still off!)