1982 240D has smelled quite strongly of diesel /oil for about 2 years. I have had 3 mechanics (2 dealer 1 independent ) check out the fuel system including pulling the, plastic!, fuel tank. No leaks of any kind
have been found. I have washed out the trunk and spare compartment, the spare lid, carpets and all. After 2 days ---it's baaack.. I did not refill the tank during this time.

Any ideas?
R

M.B. published internal memo on this subject over 15 years ago. Throw the plastic tank away & replace it with steel version, its the only way to rid the car of odor.

Thank you for your speedy reply. Any ideas as to why both dealers insisted that the problem was probably a rusted through
fuel tank top? Got these long stories about how these tanks were known to have condensation and street water collect on the
top of the tank and never dry out to the point of rust through. The independent was the one who informed me as to the plastic
nature of the tank. Neither dealer mentioned it.

One dealer quoted me $1300 to replace the tank (when it as rusted ;') ) That sounded ridiculous at the time, but now?

This wasn't a recall issue that the dealer was trying to finesse was it?

Is the plastic permeable or something?

Is it really going to cost me $1300 to solve this?

Aaaaak

Thanks again for the info.

R

My 90 300 SEL has the same problem. Do I have a plastic tank to ? Hoe much is this plastic tank?

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I do not know if your 90 300 SEL has the same problem as my 240D did. I solved
it by replacing the fuel tank with a used steel one out of a 300D. An added bonus
was increased fuel capacity!
I think the total cost was around $500. Definately not from a dealer.
rse2

Did you notice a hole in the old tank when you removed it and finally, did it solve the problem when you replaced it?