1982 mercedes 280se european gas odor' - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

alexoll · #1 03-17-2008, 08:09 PM

I was hoping i can get someone to give me a hint on what could be causing the gas smell inside the car when i cant find any gas leak anywhere. This vehicle was owned by my dad who passed away 7 months ago and could never figure out the problem. The car was passed on to me after his passing and i would like to keep the car in his memory and fix it if i can. Car also always idled too high he always played with the screw to idle it down or up. Now i have the screw closed all the way and it still idles high but the gas odor is my worst problem to be able to sit in it and able to drive it. I would be greatfull for any help from here by anyone. Thanks Alex'

280EZRider · #2 03-17-2008, 11:46 PM

I would start w/the rubber connections on the fuel lines first: between the tank and fuel pump and filter just in front of & below the tank. Then check any rubber connections at the metal lines connecting to the engine.

t walgamuth · #3 03-18-2008, 12:13 AM

Check the interior drain from the gas filler door. when the rubber hose perishes it dumps any spillage into the trunk.

Tom W

ctaylor738 · #4 03-18-2008, 12:35 PM

There's also a vent system, from the bottom of the tank that should be checked for leaks. There may have been some additional plumbing added to this when the car was imported, and this should be checked as well.

Your idle problem is probably a tired auxiliary air valve, or cracks/leaks in the rubber air lines. Look around the lower left front of the engine block, and you will see them.

alexoll · #5 03-19-2008, 06:41 AM

Thanks for the responses, I was under that hood most of the day checked for fuel leak and vacume leak under the air filter assembly and anywhere else i can think of, dont see nothing.Me looking at this engine is like a deer looking in to a set of headlights. There is no fuel smell under the hood just sometimes in the car like it comes and goes. Idle has always been played with by my father before he passed and he could never figure it out, Now i am on a mission to figure this thing out. I have the scrw turned all the way in and still idles up to 20. I been turning the air on to bring the idle down before puting it in to gear. I will look in to those things sugested here. i am sure i will have more questions' Thanks Alex'

alexoll · #6 03-19-2008, 06:52 AM

[Your idle problem is probably a tired auxiliary air valve, = is that valve on the passenger side thats attached to the exhaust manifold witht he air line connected to it? Thanks Alex

ctaylor738 · #7 03-19-2008, 08:40 AM

No. The idle air valve is on the other side, under the intake manifold, near the distributor. You may be looking at the exhaust gas recirculation valve.

If you are getting 2K RPM idle with the adjustment screw all the way in, there is something really wrong. A normal setting even with the aux valve open should not give you more than 1300.

The first thing to check is the throttle linkage. It may be preventing the throttle valve from closing all the way. Unhook it at the last fitting, near the throttle plate, and see if that makes a difference. If it doesn't, look closely at throttle stop and make sure that there is no dirt or crud preventing it from closing all the way.

Now check all of the large rubber hoses that connect the idle air valve and the aux air valve to the intake. Be sure there are no tears, and that the clamps are tight.

Be sure that all vacuum lines are present and connected. There should be two at the front of the intake manifold. One goes to the distributor, one to the purge valve/charcoal cannister (this one is a prime suspect given the gas smell). There should be one to the warm-up regulator. There may be two others that go to two temp sensors.

alexoll · #8 03-19-2008, 04:06 PM

Thanks Chuck' I take it the thermostat has to go back in and that might resolve 1 of my problems. So on these cars it goes in there upside down not like the american cars, the thermostat i mean?

rocky raccoon · #9 03-19-2008, 04:33 PM

IRT your fuel odor; the cure for my similar problem was to replace the copper gaskets at the fuel pump - filter fitting. The leak at that point was only present while the engine was running and the fuel pump producing pressure. It is common for amateur mechanics to try to reuse those gaskets (copper washers) after changing the fuel filter thus resulting in a leak. They must be replaced.

Stick your head under the rear of the car while it isrunning and inspect the fuel fittings around the pump(s) and filter. Don't let anyone back over your head.

ctaylor738 · #10 03-19-2008, 04:57 PM

There are two metal strips on the thermostat that form a "V." Thats the side that goes up. There is also an o-ring that seals the housing.

alexoll · #11 03-19-2008, 06:31 PM

Stick your head under the rear of the car while it isrunning and inspect the fuel fittings around the pump(s) and filter. Don't let anyone back over your head'' = I stuck me head behind the car, pump looks good' removed the side panel by the trunk where the gas filler is, there is a litle bit of smell there' There is 2 smaller hoses there, 1 running to the back and comes out by the wheel well, other 1 goes somewhere behind the back seat and dont know where it goes to, cant follow it already had the back seat out once. thats the only area i can smell a litle gas. Maybe i need to have a smoke in the trunk to find the leak'

ctaylor738 · #12 03-19-2008, 07:57 PM

Re the thermostat. I think the pin you are talking about is the temp sensor for the aux fans. You may be putting the gasket and thermostat in the wrong order. It should go thermostat, then o-ring, then housing.

Re the fumes. I think that's a vent line. It may be cracked.

alexoll · #13 03-19-2008, 06:20 PM

Thats the way i tried to put the thermostat back in v side up, when i placed it in its place there is a small pin on the bottom of the thermostat housing the bottom one after removin the top piece. When i originaly placed it in there it would not go flush because of that pin thats in there, i was not sure if i tighten it down will that pin push down making the connection with the themostat? or if it dont it seems like it would bend ' this is why i stoped when i was trying to install it. Is that pin connected to a spring where it pushes down so i wont crack the housing? I am assuming thats the sensor that i am talking about. Alex'

alexoll · #14 03-19-2008, 09:59 PM

Ok problem is still as before' thermostat is too high can't be for this car' my dad left it up on a shelf before he passed and i could of swore it had to be for this mercedes because of all the blue gasket sealer that was on the thermostat that matched what was on the housing, because he did not use the o ring. it even says made in germany on it so i thought it was the original 1 , maybe he purchased it and realized it did not fit and left it out. Now what can i get for it from a regular part store because i already know they wont find this 82 280se in the book because it is european' Does it cross refrence with another vehicke that has the same engine and thermostat' Alex

ctaylor738 · #15 03-19-2008, 11:12 PM

Not to worry.

The P/N for your thermostat is 110 200 05 15. This is the same number for the US 280E. This is an 87 degree unit. You can get it from a dealer or our beloved sponsor Fastlane - click on "Buy Parts" above. If you use a local source, tell 'em you want a thermostat and o-ring for a 1981 280E.