Heater produces oil/gas smell

blk · 03-12-2012, 01:48 PM

Howdy everyone - when I turn on the heater in my 2002 C230 Sportcoupe, sometimes I smell oil or gas - not all the time, but maybe every other time. Any idea what might be causing this?

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sammydragon3 · 03-12-2012, 03:36 PM

did u have the cam magnet recall done?

LILBENZ230 · 03-12-2012, 04:28 PM

Cam magnet recall not for the M111 in the 02 C230, nor will it cause this symptom.

samaritrey · 03-12-2012, 05:38 PM

So what happens when ac is on? Is it perfect or have you not tired?

Moviela · 03-13-2012, 12:15 AM

Any time you smell fuel, it is time to stop and have a complete look at the fuel system.

It can be vey dangerous if you have a leak.

It could turn your ride into a carbecue.

glocati · 03-13-2012, 01:03 AM

You may also want to check out your valve cover gasket. They can leak and drip a bit of oil on the exhaust manifold where it burns off, and you can get a whiff of burnt oil in the cab via the HVAC system.

Pretty common issue on both the V6 and Inline 4 motors. My right side VC gasket is just starting to leak a bit at 80K miles.

You really need to determine if it is gas or oil smell, because, as Moviela notes, fuel leaks can be dangerous.

Good luck on it !

Glyn M Ruck · 03-13-2012, 07:39 AM

+1

C230 Sport Coup · 03-13-2012, 02:28 PM

In other words, when you turn on the heater, you're pumping in air that comes in directly under the hood.
So, whatever is stinking under the hood, is going to stink up your car.
So, that includes any oil that's burning or exhaust leak.

For me, I had to replace the manifold gasket a couple times due to exhaust leaks.
Sitting at lights I'd choke. Moving, there was enough air circulation, you wouldn't notice it.

Be sure to use the mercedes one, not one from the local auto parts store.
I have a couple of extra ones, I could sell you one very inexpensively if that's the issue.

But before you replace anything just look for leaks, and whats smelling and from where..
Tighten any loose nuts and bolts and see if that fixes it.

03-12-2012, 05:38 PM	#4
samaritrey Super Moderator 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: McLean VA Posts: 3,695 Drives: THE C320	So what happens when ac is on? Is it perfect or have you not tired? __________________ Trey's Car History 87 Suzuki Samurai Gone :( 99 KIA Sportage 2Door Sold July 20 2009 97 J30 given when 16 Has been passed down to sibling 01 C320 Got at 16 as of 2-22-13 has 189,000 miles with Eurocharged Tune, AMG Style Trunk Spoiler, BIX, NAV 2.0, Tein Springs with Renntech Shocks Next car G55 or SLK55 All About Trey and Cars Thread

03-13-2012, 07:39 AM	#7
Glyn M Ruck Super Moderator 1965 Jaguar 3.8 S Type Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 15,858 Drives: late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires	+1 __________________ Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa

03-13-2012, 02:28 PM	#8
C230 Sport Coup MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bay Area Posts: 5,027 Drives: Here's Johnny!	In other words, when you turn on the heater, you're pumping in air that comes in directly under the hood. So, whatever is stinking under the hood, is going to stink up your car. So, that includes any oil that's burning or exhaust leak. For me, I had to replace the manifold gasket a couple times due to exhaust leaks. Sitting at lights I'd choke. Moving, there was enough air circulation, you wouldn't notice it. Be sure to use the mercedes one, not one from the local auto parts store. I have a couple of extra ones, I could sell you one very inexpensively if that's the issue. But before you replace anything just look for leaks, and whats smelling and from where.. Tighten any loose nuts and bolts and see if that fixes it. __________________ 2002 C230 Sport Coup ASP Pulley-Supersprint Header-Remus Muffler- TEIN SS Coilovers AMG; Wheels, 22mm AMG Front sway bar, HR 19mm rear bar, C32 Brakes Tinted Windows- 2005 Tails, Grill & Blinkers-Clear Sides Bi-Xenon Headlights! Clear Fogs w/Philips Crystal Vision bulbs Audio 10 Renntech style Spoiler Supercharger Muffler Deleted! "Aero Turbine" AR20 Rasp Eliminator (Resonator)

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03-12-2012, 03:36 PM	#2
sammydragon3 Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: chicago Posts: 675 Drives: 2005 c230 kompressor 2003 s500 94 wrangler	did u have the cam magnet recall done?

03-12-2012, 04:28 PM	#3
LILBENZ230 MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6,144 Drives: 2011 C300	Cam magnet recall not for the M111 in the 02 C230, nor will it cause this symptom.

03-13-2012, 12:15 AM	#5
Moviela MBWorld Fanatic! Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orange County Posts: 2,532 Drives: 2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)	Any time you smell fuel, it is time to stop and have a complete look at the fuel system. It can be vey dangerous if you have a leak. It could turn your ride into a carbecue.

03-13-2012, 01:03 AM	#6
glocati Super Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 859 Drives: 2004 C240 Wagon	You may also want to check out your valve cover gasket. They can leak and drip a bit of oil on the exhaust manifold where it burns off, and you can get a whiff of burnt oil in the cab via the HVAC system. Pretty common issue on both the V6 and Inline 4 motors. My right side VC gasket is just starting to leak a bit at 80K miles. You really need to determine if it is gas or oil smell, because, as Moviela notes, fuel leaks can be dangerous. Good luck on it !

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