So I got underneath the 300E again to really scope everything out, it's always had a problem of a gas smell lingering from somewhere, was never able to pinpoint it until now. What is this hose for? Called? It's located directly below the gas tank.

[IMG][/IMG]

Also, it's safe to say that this air filter has failed? LOL Which really sucks because we've had a few dust storms and here I am thinking everything is peechy keen with the air filter

[IMG][/IMG]

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2007 BMW 328XI

Ouch!! I'd change it asap...last thing you'd want is something like a nail having a jolly old time in the combustion chamber!

It does look clean though other than that. Although I hope that is not a negative!

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

That air filter is in backwards....

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

I thought in the back of my head something was wrong, but kinda glanced over it! You are right. OP please don't tell me you installed this

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Yeah, I want to get that filter out asap probably go by autozone and get one today, haha naw that wasn't me, it was in there from the previous owner that we got it from back in November. I thought I give it a look and see how it's doing and low and behold that's what I find.

So does anyone know what that gas tank line is for? What it does?

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2007 BMW 328XI

dam it, you beat me to it

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Wow, I am impressed at the backwards installed air filter....that is amazing.

The broken piece by the fuel tank is the breather line most likely.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Yeah I question MANY things the PO did to the car, check out my "this poor 300E" thread and so on, it doesn't really surprise me he put it in backwards!

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2007 BMW 328XI

Actually what is missing there in that vent line is a vent valve..it appears it has broken and fallen out. The missing piece is a two way poppet valve that fits in the space between the open line you see and the spiggot coming out of the tank. Those old plastic bits will need to be removed to install the new valve. The line you see goes up to the carbon cannister under the driver's side fender. It allows fumes to be drawn up into the carbon cannister, or conversely allows fresh air(through another valve) back into the tank to replenish the volume as needed. No surprise you are having fume problems.

You might get away with just an elbow instead of the vent valve...I have done this while tracing the cause of fumes in a different car with the same basic fuel system.

Boy, this sent me scurrying for the old Meriam Webster Collegiate edition. One fume... many fumes.

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1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't

Except in the first case "fume" is being used as an adjective, and in the second case as a noun in the plural....maybe grab a grammar book while digging out the old Meriam.