300e gas odor when tank is low

[John H]

Hi all

I'm noticing gas odor while driving around town when the tank gets to one-quarter full or less. I only smell it with the windows down around town. I've looked under the hood around the injectors but no signs of leakage. Any thoughts?

John H

[J.HIDALGO]

The fuel pump is under the car and so is the fuel filter, hoses going/coming to/from the tank, etc.
I would check those items if you have not done so...remember, it is a fire hazard if it fact gas is leaking somewhere

[can-do]

Greetings,

Like JH said in the previous post, it could be the fuel filter. I had the same smell on my 300E and could find no leak that was visable. I removed the plastic cover that protects the fuel pump and filter and found a small amount of fuel seeping past the seal. With slight force to the threaded filter nut it stopped and hasn't returned since. Filter and pump are located on the right rear in front of the tire under a plastic shield. Four plastics nuts will have to be removed from the cover to access the pump and filter.

Charles

[John H]

I'll check it out but that doesn't explain why it only happens when I hit a quarter tank. I thought it might be a venting problem acerbated by lower fuel levels.

John H

[can-do]

Greetings John,

Wish I could answer that one with reasonable understanding but mine too emitted more fumes at half tank or less but leaked none the less at either level. If in fact you had a venting problem, lack of let's say, you'd either starve the engine of fuel as well as pull a vac on the fuel tank. Over venting would cause fuel to find a way out as a liquid during a full tank.
Check the filter and pump connections first, and let us know what you find. Unfortunately the engine does need to be running to see the seepage coming from either, so please be careful.


Charles