Hello.

I just purchased a 1983 300 Turbo Diesel. It was by almost accident, and I've now fallen madly in love with my car, which is in no way perfect, but seems perfect for me. So I've joined the ranks of obsessive MB owners. I've now visited junk yards and replaced the glove box, visors, and i pulled out all the wood paneling near the gear shift and heater/AC console etc. and stripped and re-stained, re-varnished all of it. Today I pick up the rubber strip for the bumper. Okay, okay now my question. When i test-drove the car before purchase i failed to notice my new found "mysterious diesel smell". either the windows were always up, or else Los Angeles, where i live, was extra smoggy that day and i didn't notice. Anyway, now, intermittenly I smell diesel. Even when the car is parked after I've driven it or even if it's sat parked for a while?

One mechanic told me i need a new gas tank, and he pointed out that the nozzle area was bent, possibly because someone drove off before the finished filling the tank because they forgot to take the hose out and drove off!

Well, I am stumped. Any ideas. I am pretty clueless and though I am getting good at replacing little parts, like visors, etc., I am by no means mechanical.

Thank you sincerely for all the help.

-Ken-

I would look at the fuel return lines between the injectors, these are notorious for leaking and need replaced from time to time. I would also look for the obvious leaks around the fuel filters and fuel lines
Good luck, great car
I have an 84 300SD

also look at the pump located near your small fuel filter. if it has a white handle it is the old style and likely to leak
replacement is $25 and easy to do
also look under the rear near the fuel tank to see if those lines are leaking. also easy fix.

you may want to post questions on the diesel site rather than here as there are more people with info re you car

JOHN M

Open the hood and look for wet spots from diesel. Definitely check the injector return lines going from one to the next. I put new lines on and am still having trouble with them leaking. Have also heard the plug on the rear injector return sometimes rots out and leaks too. They just push on. After the car has sat for a while, look on the ground for any wet spots to narrow down the location. Also, check to make sure the fuel gauge sender in the top of the tank is not leaking fuel when it splashes around. You can remove the first aid kit box to check it.

The filler neck on my tank is also bent to one side. Just assumed it has been that way since new.

Thank you madsen, KCM and meltedpanda. The mystery smell turned out to be both the return lines, as well as the fuel filter, which was leaking a little due to a missing washer.

All smells like nothing again.