Shawnb, your 1993 300TE with the 104 engine has an Electro Hydraulic Actuator (EHA) valve. Remove the air cleaner housing and you will see it. Typically as the EHA's age they develop a hairline crack in the black plastic body and leak gasoline which produces the strong gas odor. Best to examine for an EHA valve leak immediately after starting a cold engine because with a hot engine any leaking gas will evaporate quickly. If that is the problem replace the EHA valve ASAP, before you experience an under-hood fire.

As for the squealing, check the drive belt tension. If the drive belt is tight it's possible the fan bearing bracket is failing and needs to be replaced. Check for a wobble in the fan and metal chips in the vicinity of the fan bearing bracket. MB dealers sell reconditioned fan bearing brackets with the old one returned to them to avoid paying a core charge.

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Fred Hoelzle