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  #1  
Old 07-07-2011, 05:11 PM
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Gas smell, 82 380SL

Please advise.
Strong smell of gas while driving. I looked at fuel pump in rear and could not detect any leaks. I looked under the hood and again could not see any evidence of leaks. I traced the fuel lines from the tank to the engine and again did not see any evidence of leaks. At this point I am somewht befuddled as to the cause. The leak is probably evaporating as soon as it leaks so I am not sure where to look. Has any one else had this problem and what was the remedy? Any insight will help. Thanks

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  #2  
Old 07-07-2011, 07:30 PM
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Did you check for leakage while the car was running? The fuel system pressure on a K-Jet is around 80 psi. You might only have leaking while the system is under pressure.

Check to make sure the return line is good and not blocked.

Check that the fuel cap is tight.


Just a couple suggestions.
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  #3  
Old 07-08-2011, 01:44 PM
is thinning the herd
 
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I'm struggling with a similar problem on my 72 350. I replaced all the under-hood lines to little avail. The gasket on my fuel cap is nice and cracked, so I've got one on the way right now. I'll report back with my results.
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  #4  
Old 07-08-2011, 03:05 PM
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If the smell is pretty strong in the trunk check the gasket where the fuel filler and gas tank meet. Mine was leaking so that it seeped into the right wheel well in the trunk. Put your hand down there and you may be able to feel the gas. Got the garage to change the gasket and solved the problem.
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  #5  
Old 07-08-2011, 04:29 PM
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Radio Tech

Excuse my naivity, but what is the K jet and where is it located.

Thanks
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  #6  
Old 07-08-2011, 04:44 PM
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Sorry Radio Tek for my lack of knowledge. I searched the forum and found that the k jet is the fuel distributor.. so i guess i know what I am to look at. Is it common for these lines come loose after a time? Since they are a flared connection ( i think) i am a little apprehensive to over tighten them.
Thanks

and thanks to the others that responded!
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  #7  
Old 07-11-2011, 09:02 AM
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The gas smell seems to have been caused by a faulty seal gasket on the gas filler cap. Simple fix.... cut a new gasket from a piece of rubber sheet. Thanks to all for the hints.
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  #8  
Old 07-11-2011, 11:59 AM
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K-Jet is short for K-Jetronic, and is the Bosch 'model/generation' designation for the fuel injection system. My car uses the older D-Jetronic system, I've sen refernces to K-Jet, KE-Jet, L-Jet, and I suppose there are others.

Good to know that you got the problem taken care of. I've seen a few times that the gasket on the gas cap failing will give a fuel smell in the cabin.
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  #9  
Old 07-05-2012, 09:56 PM
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and where is the K jet located......
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  #10  
Old 07-05-2012, 11:17 PM
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well as long as someone else revived this old post...

I have been getting a gas smell but I would say it is from running to rich. I swapped coils to make sure all was burned but made no diff.

Last time it was the dwell was off but that is still in spec now.

It will stall if put in park and let to idle but not in gear at a traffic light.

?????
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  #11  
Old 07-06-2012, 11:42 AM
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I just recently had this problem with my 560SL. In my case it was a cracked fuel hose at the Charcoal Canister (under the left front fender cover -- in front of the front left tire). This results in fuel vapors (smells). I ended up replacing all the hoses from front to back on this system since I plan on keeping the car for the long haul. I also replaced the rubber at the Purge Valve under the hood at the left front.

Good luck finding your problem!
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  #12  
Old 07-06-2012, 11:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZreGuy View Post
well as long as someone else revived this old post...

I have been getting a gas smell but I would say it is from running to rich. I swapped coils to make sure all was burned but made no diff.

Last time it was the dwell was off but that is still in spec now.

It will stall if put in park and let to idle but not in gear at a traffic light.

?????
If I remember correctly, you are also the curator of a '75, so you have a D-Jet like mine, right? One of the first things I did on mine was to replace all of the "rubber" fuel line as I could. (except the little ones from the fuel rail to the injectors). there were some leaks that cleared up after that. Make sure you use Fuel Injection System rated tubing, it is designed to withstand the higher pressures. Also, there are fuel injection system hose clamps; they are wider, to lessen the chance of cutting into the fuel line.

Another way these things can be made to run rich is for there to be a vacuum leak, as the MAP(manifold absolute pressure) sensor is a major control input to the ECU.

Hope this helps some,
Scott
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  #13  
Old 07-13-2012, 09:08 AM
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Gas smell

Regardless of condition, replace the gas cap every year and you will never experience this problem again. An old line mechanic taught me this when i first bought the car in 1989 (560SL)
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  #14  
Old 07-17-2012, 05:58 PM
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IMO that's a HUGE waste of money. I have driven Mercedes for a total of maybe 60 car years and over a half million miles and I can recall needing to replace maybe two fuel caps.

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