Clanking sound after I shut off the car
 

I have a clanking sound after I shut off the car - 91 190E 2.6.

It sounds like coins rattling around in a tin can, and it appears as if it is coming from underneath (or deep within) the car. It is almost like it is still trying to run, but not spitting or coughing, just clanking.

I also have a fuel smell often, and a shop that looked at it recently said that I might have a "smog pump" bearing needing replaced, but then just concluded that I have the wrong kind of belt, which is making some noise.

I thought it may be a rock rattling around in the exhuast somewhere, but it sounds more like and engine problem.

I am a new owner and would appreciate any input.

AZ:confused:

Check your fan. If the viscous coupling is shot, the fan will spin freely and erratically about after you shut off the engine, and could be causeing that clanking sound.

That is what my car did.

If it's the fan, the gas smell is an unrelated phenomena.

A gas smell can be a leaking injector. This could be dangerous, as the leaking gas or fumes could ignite. Not good.

Always put a quick-disconnect on the + side of the battery terminal, and you could prevent a disasterous fire.

AZ

I had a similar noise on the 300E .... dreaded just looking under the car for fear of a collapsed cat, or etc etc etc ...

... but I did .... and I found a broken exhaust hanger u-bolt. Yep, $2.00 and it was back on the road, nice and tight and ..... quiet. Often the tinny sounding problems are usually not so bad. It is the hard, heavy, low sounds that are REAL bad. Look under your car … or get it up on a rack. Midas shops are real friendly this way. They want your business and they often will let you see what the problem is.

Now ....the fuel smell .... that equals raw fuel .... that equals fire potential.

>>> Don't mess with this <<< ! >>> Find the problem right away. <<<

Be diligent about this. You definitely want to know why you are smelling fuel. There are terrible stories about fuel smells ... especially with the higher under-hood engine temperatures.

Keep us posted,

Haasman