looked at a 94 E500, reeked of gasoline inside - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

greasybenz · #1 03-26-2007, 01:59 AM

So i looked at this 94 E500, the car was overall a b+ still needed some work.
It seemed the real problem was that the car had reeked of gas. When i got to the dealer to check out the car, the windows were down.

The guys that were there said the lot is 2 different dealerships, so the owner of the 500 wasnt there to let me test drive the car. They told me the car has been there for quite a while due to the smell of gasoline, to many customers complained.

I started looking around the car to see where the smell was coming from. The smell was stronger in the trunk, so i started looking around for leaks but the carpets werent wet.

Whats your guys guess? i really like the car, and if the problem is a simple fix i may take this car home!

Porschetech9 · #2 03-26-2007, 03:52 AM

First thing to check is that the gas cap is sealing properly. Believe it or not, this is the most common source that I have found for fuel smells in MB. Especially if it is coming from the trunk area. I have already gotten one screaming deal on a clean used Mercedes because the generic independent shop that worked on the car could not locate the source of the fuel smell. One phone call to a tech I know who worked at a busy factory store for years and it was solved for ~$12.00.

If the rubber seal is not absolutely perfect on the cap, (or the cap looks old/original), buy the car for cheap and have a new cap in your pocket to install before you drive it home.

(The more unfortunate scenario would be if the filler neck is damaged or distorted somehow, in which case you would have to replace the tank. You should be able to ascertain this by visual inspection, however). Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

G-Benz · #3 03-26-2007, 06:20 AM

Fuel hoses have been known to leak as well. I had one on my W124 that was so small that you could barely see it...but the smell was ridiculous.

greasybenz · #4 03-26-2007, 10:46 AM

After some searching, it seemed as though the gas cap issue is a problem. But just to be sure ill replace the gas cap and the fuel hoses.

ILUVMILS · #5 03-26-2007, 12:20 PM

I've replaced several fuel tanks on 124's for strong odor complaints, especially in the trunk area. After the tanks were removed it was easy to see the source of the odor. They didn't actually leak raw fuel, but the fumes were forced out whenever the pressure in the tank was higher than ambient pressure.

Of course, check the simple, easy stuff first, but don't rule out the tank as a possibility.