Question #2--What's that smell?

[n/a]

Thanks for all the feedback on the thing-a-ma-jig on the floor in the back area.  I now have another question--thought I would bounce this off you all before I take the car back to the mechanic for its check-up--I am hoping with your help I will be able to tell him what he may need to look for.  

I opened the garage door the other day I was hit by the "smell" coming from my car.  I left the garage door open and later, as I walked past the garage I could still smell the "odor". When I open the trunk I smell it even stronger.  I have taken to leaving the windows rolled down in the car to try to lessen the smell in the inside.  Not being mechanical I can't figure out if it is exhaust, gas or just old car smell.  It smells when it is just sitting there and hasn't been driven, so I'm kind of thinking that it is not the  exhaust.  

Any info you have would be great.

[Jonny B]

Not sure what thing a ma jig you are referring to. There are a number of threads on the smell (most likely gas) coming from the car. The two small vent lines next to the fuel filler neck, old, plugged hoses from those vents, plugs in the vents themselves, cracks in the small vent tank in the fender well, all can contribute to the gas smell.

Use the search feature, gas smell, might be a good place to start to get the details on how to deal with this. When I first got my car, the smell was a problem. I found the two small vent holes plugged as well as the metal and rubber lines to the vent tank.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[merrill]

so, does the smell, smell like old gas? or terpentine?

I am willing to bet you have a leaking fuel sender gasket or deteriorating rubber lines for the vapor system.

remove the rubber liner in your trunk, and the cover for the fuel sender unit, does it look wet?  if so the fuel sender gasket is leaking.

or
remove the spare tire and the metal covering over the fuel tank neck.
see the rubber hoses,  check those & the ones that go to the vapor box mounted in the trunk on the fender.

[lurtch]

Hey Marti - - Others have yet to mention it, but our Pagodas are particularly prone to rust-through on the top side of the gas tank. Mine was an utter disaster area as you can see. There is no quick fix.  It has to be removed if you determine that there are holes in it. I think I remember that  a  replacement tank is around $800.   Or you can do what I did and send it to Tank-Renu in Ohio, for about half that amount.

Hope you are better off than I was , Larry in CA

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[psmith]

I thought that smell was just part of their charm!  

Actually there is a certain "old german car" smell inside the car that I  like, but maybe that's because I have always had old german cars...

Pete S.

[robb]

Had a leak in gas tank (70-280 sl)a few years ago.Mercedes quoted me 1600. dollars for a new one .Had Gas-Tank Renu in Toronto Ont.fix my old one for a 125. dollars. Great job and a life-time warranty .

[dwilli3038]

1600 is very high for a gas tank, I got mine from Caliper Motors for $700

Daryl
'64 230 SL
Serial # 508

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by dwilli3038

1600 is very high for a gas tank, I got mine from Caliper Motors for $700

Daryl
'64 230 SL
Serial # 508

And Daryl's is a 230SL.  A 280SL tank should cost less.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420