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  #1  
Old 08-24-2004, 10:02 PM
kpr kpr is offline
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Fuel spill

I started my 86 sl the other day. It had been sitting for about two weeks. I let it run for a couple of minutes and I smelled gasoline. I went to the rear and saw gas pouring out underneath. I immediately shut it off and the gas stopped flowing.

Later that day I put the car up on ramps and got underneath. I saw no evidence of any leaking. Then I turned her on and again there was no gas leaking from anywhere. I took her for a spin, came back and still no gas leaking anywhere.

The last time I drove her - prior to the leak, I filled her up to the top - I mean really topped her off. I was wondering if I over filled the tank and the gas that leaked was from some type of overfill mechanism??

Thanks in advance for any responses

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Old 08-25-2004, 02:45 AM
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Was it hot where you left the car? Gasoline expands when hot...
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Old 08-25-2004, 07:01 PM
kpr kpr is offline
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no. it was at normal operating temp.
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Old 08-25-2004, 07:41 PM
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Don't know about the 86s, my 1990 R129 had a similiar thing.

Passenger side, rear wheel ish. Per my mechanic there are 2 fuel pumps and a collection of valves back there. Some type of special, MB specific washers caused the leak. They were cheap, although difficult to get. He was reasonable, couldn't get them so took it all apart and cleaned it, and reassembled / tightened. Seemed OK.
Later that day while he was finishing other things, it started leaking again, and he was able to get the parts the next day, a couple of bucks for the washers, an hour I paid for, and another hour to do it a second time.
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Old 08-25-2004, 08:00 PM
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Thanks - i will see if it happens again - that's the problem - it only happened that one time - strange - not something I would NOT expect to happen again right after it happened once - this was no fuel drip - itr was a leak
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Old 08-25-2004, 08:28 PM
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Keep a close eye on it, I had several times before that I thought I smelled gas.

Dismissed it as ??, or just overrich, and a short drive to work.

Probably was leaking a little for a while.

And it only leaked with the engine running.
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  #7  
Old 08-25-2004, 09:15 PM
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On mine it was the fuel filter.
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Old 08-26-2004, 05:20 PM
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I really don't think this is a situation where you should hope for the best. I would either take it to a mechanic or check my fire insurance. I'd keep my kids out of it too. Two things you don't screw with, bad brakes and gas leaks.
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  #9  
Old 08-26-2004, 08:38 PM
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gasket around fillpipe

Same thing happened to me. I found no sign of leakage anywhere around the tank, fuel lines, etc., but did find some gas-soaked insulation on the passenger side of the trunk below the battery. Then I remembered overfilling the fuel tank a week prior. I ran an experiment by pouring water below the fuel fill pipe and found water leaking past the gasket between the body and the pipe. Hope this helps.

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  #10  
Old 08-26-2004, 10:22 PM
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That is my thinking as well - unfortunately my meachanic will not be back until Monday - fortunately I rarely drive the car in the summer time - it is too hot and too humid - and who the hell drives an sl without the top-down (except when it is raining and then who drives it at all)? I will let you all know what we find.
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Old 08-26-2004, 10:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adumars
Same thing happened to me. I found no sign of leakage anywhere around the tank, fuel lines, etc., but did find some gas-soaked insulation on the passenger side of the trunk below the battery. Then I remembered overfilling the fuel tank a week prior. I ran an experiment by pouring water below the fuel fill pipe and found water leaking past the gasket between the body and the pipe. Hope this helps.

adumars

'75 240D "Raggedy Ann" (sold)
'75 240D "Pearl" (sold)
'80 300D "Ms. Louis" (sold)
'85 300TD "Tunces" (last car I plan on buying)
I bet you hit it right on the head. That would explain it not doing it again. Just fill it to 3/4 tank until you can get it fixed.
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  #12  
Old 09-06-2004, 02:34 PM
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Big Gas leak Once only why?

It is Possible for gasoline to vent out the cap and then to the overfill drain (which drains to the ground by the right rear tire), but it would require the tank to overpressure.

The tank has a built in 'expansion compartment' that remains only vapor filled when the tank fill pipe overflows. This expansion space usually would prevent any overpressure and venting. It may not have in your case, but?
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  #13  
Old 09-07-2004, 05:00 PM
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yes, it was overfilled and the leak was a result of overfilling while teh car was hot and the outside temperature hot as well. the leak was most likely caused at the expansion valve

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