2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL Fuelpropulsion System Problems

A POUNDING NOISE (LIKE A HAMMER HITTING A 2X4) OCCURRED REPEATEDLY WHENEVER I STARTED OR STOPPED. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILURE OF THE BAFFLES INSIDE THE GAS TANK AND REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT OF THE GAS TANK AT A COST OF OVER $2000. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP AND SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THE BAFFLES SLIDING AROUND THE TANK WOULD ULTIMATELY CAUSE IT TO LEAK IF THE TANK WERE NOT REPLACED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IT HAS APPARENTLY OCCURRED ON MANY MERCEDES CARS ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET REPORTS. *JS