Strong Gas Smell After Fill-Ip

Hey Forum...

I had something odd happen tonight. I think I have figured it out, but I would really appreciate some of your input.

I filled up the tank tonight ($ 1.21 for Super! Woo Hoo!) anyway, I drove home about a mile and a half and parked in the garage as usual.

I went out to the garage a few hours later to go to the store and , Oh My Gosh, thought I'd choke! Gas smell soooo strong! So I opened the garage door and then pushed the car out into the driveway. I opened the doors and the trunk again, very strong odor. I opened the gas door and took off the cap and WHOOSH! gas came spewing out. Too much pressure.

So I pulled the trunk back wall cover out and checked the back of the tank and the tube into the tank. Bone dry. So I pulled the back seat out and then checked the behind the seatback. Again, bone dry. (Thank goodness)

So after the fumes had dissapated alot we got in the car and drove 3 miles to the store and parked and went in. Came back out and YUK there it was again!

I check the gas cap and noticed that when I turn it clockwise it will click. But then I can turn it 1/4 of a turn past that.

My Conclusion....when I turned it past the click it sealed the tank to tight and created too much pressure...

I have put it on right and it seems to be better, but I haven't gone anywhere since, but the fumes seem to have stopped. Inside the car doesn't seem to be fine.

Q....Can the gas cap create so much pressure?

Thanks
Steve

[Ashman]

yeah it can. I believe others have had this problem before, and replaced their gas cap and it stopped.

Alon

[royaiii]

On my 300E, I occasionally had this problem. First, I changed the gas cap. Then the fuel filter. But, sometimes it is just bad gas. I had a really potent gas smell one time and my mechanic drained the gas and I went back to the gas station and I got a refund. This was 7 years ago, gas has become much better in quality. Perhaps, you got some fuel that was in the underground tank that was over 6 weeks old. Usually, this is caused by low turn around caused by low demand of 91 octane.

As far as the system over pressurizing, I've never heard of such a thing, but it probably can happen. Don't fill the tank up more than 1/2 because you don't want a catastrophe happening like an exploding gas tank. Maybe, you just overfilled the tank. It is always a good idea to know your fuel tank capacity and reserve.

On my '95 E420 had a gas smell problem when I first got the car. Took it to the dealer and they asked if I topped off the gas when filling the tank. Yet bet! They responded, don't do that.

So, stopped doing it and the gas problem went away. Evidently there is an overflow valve (or something to that effect) towards the front of the car. I was putting in too much gas, hence the smell.

Now, when I fill up the car, when the nozzle shuts off the first time I don't add anymore gas. Something could be wrong, but this solution has worked for 2 years.

Thanks for the tip!

As a matter of fact I did top it all the way up. Won't do that again!

Steve