Odor from 500E

[Mark Herzig]

I was wondering if any 500E owners notice an odor when the car is idiling after being run awhile. It's sort-of-a sulfurish/rubberis smell (kinda hard to describe a smell!). I just had the 90K checkup and everyting is in TOP shape. THe engine runs pretty cool for an '8'; around 82-96.

[Lee Scheeler]

If you have a 92 and have been "on it" the full throttle fuel enrichment may have some extra byproducts being burned off in the cat. This could be the culprit right there. Of course, tinkering with the coolant temp and/or intake air temp sensor could also do that... I've heard that high sulfur content fuels can also produce a "rotten egg" smell in the exhaust but I'll defer to Benzmac on the fine print.

Hope this helps...Lee

[Benzmac]

This is normal. Mercedes did address the issue with a big drawn out explanation, basicaly it said "we built a real fast car, it is fun to drive, it will stink if you hold it to the bottom, but it is OK" (well something like that) .

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

[Michael]

I know the smell. Smell it all the time. I've looked everywhere, and no probs...seems like a by-product of 500E-thrashin' !!

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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

[akry]

As you mention it, my 400SE also has that smell after couple full-throttle blasts... Fun Fun Fun with the V8, guess the smell is the "compromise" we have to make....

Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
  
• Blue/Red Headlights
  
• Xenon-Look Foglights
  

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
http://drive.to/akry

[Mark Herzig]

maybe...
"If it smells, you're goin' Hells Bells"

Does MB market a nose plug? (-:


p.s. (thanks for the reinforcement... love this site!)

[bdrought]

Before you take driving hard to be a V8 thing only... my 300CE gives a similar smell after a hard run. It just smells.... HOT. ;-)

I think most of the smell is hot brakes, and perhaps hot exhaust ( & cat). Sort of a reward really for hard driving.... a genuine pit-stop type smell ;-)

Bri


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Brian Drought
1991 300CE
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~drought/
ICQ: 2180069

[Lee Scheeler]

At first the smell was offensive, but after time and (perhaps good mental association with a fun drive) I've come to like it. (okay, now we know I'm really rabid...j/k) Just think of it as the equivalent of you being sweaty after a good workout.

Just my opinion...Lee

[akry]

Brian,

Anything that revs hard(well, any Honda engines. They HAVE to rev hard, or there will be no power/torque what-so-ever at anything under 4500rpm)is cosidered, well, driving hard....

Hot brake actually smells a bit more like burned rubber, but the smell some of us experienced is more like rotten eggs....

Well, you either love it or hate it....

Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Moonstone Grey/Black Leather
  
• Blue/Red Headlights
  
• Xenon-Look Foglights
  

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
http://drive.to/akry

This has nothing to do with your post, but I am hoping as a 500E owner you can help me out. There is a 1992 500E for sale here in Washington state for $28,500 with 87k miles. I have not seen the car yet but am very interested in it. I've been told it is flawless but that is the dealer talking. What should I be looking for in this auto? How do the miles sound to you? And is the price in there as well? Are there any odd things that are problem areas for this year/model. Is it a gas hog??? and what mileage can I expect say just cruising on a 100 mile freeway trip? Are parts costly and difficult to get?

I own a 1995 E320 with only 33k miles and love it...but want a bit more...umph. But I dont want to break the bank trying to keep it running (like my '94 BMW 740 which fell apart every month).

thanks for the help

Try running a search with the search tool, (to the top right of this page) and use terms like "500e shopping" or "500e problems" etc., you should find some good info.

I believe you can expect around 17-18 mpg on the hwy. As for reliabilty, these cars last if they have not been abused.



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Ross Newcomb
96 C280, Greenish Black

[need2speed]

A couple of other explanations for that funny smell...

The smell of fear from too many hot entries into decreasing radius curves. Try Beano before your next adventure.

The smell of a previous owner who offended the local mob boss. Have you checked the trunk lately?

The smell of excess moisture. Do you live near the ocean and was your car a really, really good deal? Check for dampness under the floormats.

Any other ideas?

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Dean Albrecht
94 E500
99 ML320

www.need2speed.web.com

[This message has been edited by Dean Albrecht (edited 11-12-2000).]