Thread: gas smell
View Single Post
  #3  
Old 01-05-2010, 10:01 PM
tinypanzer tinypanzer is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,236
Not trying to be flip or sarcastic in this response, but you've contradicted yourself. If you're smelling gas then there IS a leak, by definition.

So, if this problem cropped up right after the fuel filter was changed, then that's probably the source of the leak. Compression fittings can be a real pain. Sometimes they just don't want to seal up and you wind up having to polish out whatever blemishes have occurred on the mating surfaces.

Just because you don't see gas on the ground doesn't mean much. Keep in mind that gas evaporates very quickly and I've seen rather substantial leaks that never made it to the ground, they just trickle all over the undercarriage and stink everything up. On bright metal surfaces, the evaporating gas will leave behind a yellow-brown varnish which will have a gas odor. A quick wipe with a cloth followed by a sniff will tell you if that's going on.

If you did the filter yourself, I'd try to re-seal the compression fitting. If you paid to have it done, then take it back, it's under warranty.

The other possibility is that you have an evap/purge issue possibly due to a plugged up charcoal canister or some other tank venting issue. That would possibly explain mileage too, but then so would a leak.


Quote:
Originally Posted by nucor View Post
i changed my gas filter back about month ago in my 94 e420 i am starting to smell gas near the rear passenger side of the car but there is no leak i dont see gas on ground n gas mileage is real bad now
__________________
-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition
Reply With Quote