Fuel smell during idle

[230ceBruno]

I get a faint feul smell sometimes when I idle what is this?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Fuel probably.

 

[panason1c]

I get a faint feul smell sometimes when I idle what is this?

A faint 'bad eggs' type smell, particularly from a cold start, is an indicator that the catalytic converter is in fully working order and doing its job.

 

[mebobster]

do you get a smell inside the car, or when you lift the bonnet? if i drove a petrol car & smelt fuel, i would check the fuel line for any leaks... or perhaps your exhaust is leaking somewhere. also, above 2 posts i also agree with!

 

[brandwooddixon]

I note that your car is an old model. It's not unknown for the rubber sections of fuel lines to become porous. They won't necessarily leak but you'll smell the fuel.
Run the car at idle and get that nose working.

 

[panason1c]

A faint 'bad eggs' type smell, particularly from a cold start, is an indicator that the catalytic converter is in fully working order and doing its job.

I mis-read the questioners post....i thought he'd mis-spelled the word 'foul'.....rather than 'fuel'.....hence my post above......

 

[wireman]

If its diesel look carefully at the injector return pipes since as Brandwood says they get a little tired and wet with fuel.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

If its diesel look carefully at the injector return pipes since as Brandwood says they get a little tired and wet with fuel.

I had this problem (deisel). It turned out to be leaking injector seals - they were replaced and no problem since.

 

[stever]

I note that your car is an old model. It's not unknown for the rubber sections of fuel lines to become porous. They won't necessarily leak but you'll smell the fuel.
Run the car at idle and get that nose working.

Exactly what happened on my W123. The problem became more apparent once the hose started leaking petrol all over the garage floor!

 

[230ceBruno]

could be injector seals I bought non MB ones. Can anyone post pics showing the correct fitment?

 

[mattkh]

I get a faint feul smell sometimes

So you do not get it ALL the time.
Can you elaborate on WHEN you get the smell....on first start up....on start up after parking for more than 2 days.....after braking hard.

 

[230ceBruno]

So you do not get it ALL the time.
Can you elaborate on WHEN you get the smell....on first start up....on start up after parking for more than 2 days.....after braking hard.

After car has been idling or running for a approx 2hrs

 

[Aussie Nick]

Hi. Have you replaced the fuel filter recently?

 

[stumpy]

My missus once proclaimed to smelling fuel inside the car when we parked up outside a local restaurant. She got me worried until I realised we were parked next to a petrol station. She should be blonde!

 

[mattkh]

After car has been idling or running for a approx 2hrs

Hi
In that case the injector seals. But do check the flexible hoses.

 

[w124nut]

In the early 90s when I owned a W123 230E I smelt petrol whilst sitting in the car after a journey. It turned out that the fuel tank was rusty and was leaking out through the rusted metal.

 

[230ceBruno]

Hi. Have you replaced the fuel filter recently?

Sorry for late replies yes filter changed approx 6 months ago.

 

[kth286]

Was the fuel smell there BEFORE the filter was changed ?????????????

If not, it will be the joints to the filter that have not been done properly.

 

[230ceBruno]

Was the fuel smell there BEFORE the filter was changed ?????????????

If not, it will be the joints to the filter that have not been done properly.

No smell before. I did change the injectors and seals also. but I did not check the orientation of the screw down clamps and I am not sure I put them on right. I have being calling for a picture of the correct orientation.

 

[television]

Bruno,, look for any wet looking patches on the fuel tank, the area around the filler pipe is the worst to get a slight leak