Why do I smell gas inside - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

robaincltnc · #1 11-23-2003, 12:40 PM

my vehicle. The problem is intermittant and doesn't seem to have anything to do with how much gas is in the tank.

Have a great Day!

Kestas · #2 11-23-2003, 01:27 PM

Inspect all the fuel lines under the hood and under the car immediately after driving. If you wait too long all the evidence has dried away.

dtf · #3 11-23-2003, 06:12 PM

I had that problem too and it turned out to be whenever my wife filled the tank she didn't put the cap on tight enough so when I took a left corner the gas would splash out into the gas cap door area and smell up the inside of the car. Try and isolate the occurence of the smell and check for things like I've described here too.

robaincltnc · #4 11-23-2003, 07:17 PM

Thanks gentlemen for you advice. I will check!

albert champion · #5 11-23-2003, 08:19 PM

i am certain that you will find this problem to be a gas cap that does not seal tightly.

hard braking, high g driving will cause gasoline to splash up the fuel filler pipe. the bad gas cap seal will allow some fuel to spill out. when it does, it leaks into the area behind the rear seat.

it is a nasty problem. i have a 560sec that i cannot seal. no matter how many new gas caps i have acquired. i am in the process of fabricating a new gasket in the hope that it will seal that gas gap to the filler pipe.

hope this helps.

robaincltnc · #6 11-23-2003, 09:24 PM

Thanks Albert..best bet is to buy a new gas cap, right? Ps..I never smell the fuel under the hood, although sometimes it smells like it is coming in through the vents..I can't say for sure its just in the cab and the blent just blows it around.

This problem is in my 560sl.
Thanks!

robaincltnc · #7 11-24-2003, 01:44 PM

ps..i'm a horrible typist.

dgtlmn · #8 11-24-2003, 02:44 PM

I had a similar problem with my 500E. Turned out to be a worn gasket around where you screw in the gas cap (and the cap was worn as well) causing a small amount to leak out. I would notice the smell in my garage, and pretty bad in the trunk of the car as well. At least it aired out over a couple of day after I fixed the issue. Gool luck!

83 380 SEL · #9 11-25-2003, 12:28 AM

my 380SEL smelled of gas on and off.

my mechanic eventually noticed a small leak by the fuel filter and pump.

gas was dropping to the ground in small quantities so it was a dangerous situation.

filter and pump are located behind rear passenger side wheel.

my mechanic fabricated a steel tube to replace badly worn rubber tubing and clamped it off tightly.

no more gas smell!

#10 11-25-2003, 10:00 AM

I had the same problem. My mechanic replaced the gas cap and it went away.