W203 fuel smell

[RickC]

Hi all,

I have noticed a smell of fuel from my petrol w203 over the last few days. I think it is from the offside. I cant see any obvious leaks, but the car is generally parked on gravel, which would make it harder to notice.

According to my fevered imagination, I think the mpg is suffering a little.

I did put a fuel additive in recently which may have been a mistake..

Has anyone any guidance on this?

Ta!

Rick

 

[RickC]

Can any of you kind folks advise on this?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Check the filler pipe from the filler cap to the tank, these perish, although normally on 202's. You will need to get underneath and check to see if there is visible leakage, maybe from the fuel filter.

 

[LostKiwi]

Also check hoses round the fuel pump and filter. I had a perished one on one car.

 

[RickC]

Hi guys,

Still have a fuel smell when the car is running. There is no visible leak but the fuel consumption has increased alarmingly.

Any further thoughts from anyone?

Thanks

 

[LostKiwi]

What have you checked/done so far?

 

[RickC]

Hey Lost Kiwi,

Just really checked for visual leaks both running and stationary

Rick

 

[alexanderfoti]

Does it smell of fuel if the car isnt running, or is left for a few hours and you come back to it?
It could have sticking fuel injector which will end up with a very petrol smelling exhaust and loads of petrol in your oil.

 

[RickC]

It seems only to smell when running or just switched off.

Thanks, I will look into that

 

[LostKiwi]

Does it smell of fuel if the car isnt running, or is left for a few hours and you come back to it?
It could have sticking fuel injector which will end up with a very petrol smelling exhaust and loads of petrol in your oil.

Surely that would upset the fuel trims/O2 sensors?
If it's only while running it's on the pressure side of the fuel pump (which is located at the rear of the car in the tank). Did you check there? The hoses in that area are subject to lot of abuse from water/salt/grit/dust etc. The filter hides under the rear of the car near the tank.

 

[RickC]

Ta as always Kiwi.

I will check that out

Rick

 

[alexanderfoti]

Surely that would upset the fuel trims/O2 sensors?
If it's only while running it's on the pressure side of the fuel pump (which is located at the rear of the car in the tank). Did you check there? The hoses in that area are subject to lot of abuse from water/salt/grit/dust etc. The filter hides under the rear of the car near the tank.

absolutely it would yes. It takes a while to set a CEL

 

[Uncle Benz]

Somewhere to start, lift the back seat base out, remove the circular inspection plates and check the top of the tank where the pipes are. The filter, if fitted, is located under the car, slightly to the nearside. Close to the bottom of the fuel tank

 

[RickC]

Somewhere to start, lift the back seat base out, remove the circular inspection plates and check the top of the tank where the pipes are. The filter, if fitted, is located under the car, slightly to the nearside. Close to the bottom of the fuel tank

Thanks UB

 

[RickC]

Hi all,

Sadly it is a hole in the tank. MBS want £1600 ish to repair it, so unless anyone can think of an alternative plan, it looks like “Beachy Head Motors...”

 

[LostKiwi]

If the hole is accessible clean the area thoroughly by hand and run the tank low enough so there is no fuel near the hole. Get some plastic metal and fill the hole and smooth onto the surrounding outer surface. Leave at least 24 hours to fully set and check for leaks. Once you're happy it's sealed paint the area with waxoil. The waxoil will show if there is a leak in future as petrol dissolves it and makes it turn gooey.

If the hole is big get some fibreglass mat and resin and apply that to the area making sure it's well keyed to the surface.

Done properly it's a permanent repair.

Be careful - fuel is extremely flammable!

 

[RickC]

Thanks Lost Kiwi.

 

[RickC]

This is where the vapour is coming from Kiwi

Is it suitable for a mend?

R

 

[RickC]

Its actually a leak on the plastic nipple, not the metal tank... Not sure is this is better news or worse?

 

[LostKiwi]

This is where the vapour is coming from Kiwi

Is it suitable for a mend?

R

Can't see it clearly enough but I'd does look awkward to get to.