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Happens only shortly after I top off the car with gas, but for the next 30 miles it will smell like gas OUTSIDE of the car, near the left rear wheel. Wondering if anyone has encountered this. Search the forums and I've read some similar stories but this seems particular to the smell being outside and not inside the car.
I also have a CEL (P0456 - evap system, very small leak) that I'm wondering if it's connected. Maybe charcoal canister? Anyways, next steps are to take things apart. Wish me luck.
Do some google searching on smelling gas. There is only a few things it could be. Most likely the seal around the the sending unit or pump in the tank.
Do some google searching on smelling gas. There is only a few things it could be. Most likely the seal around the the sending unit or pump in the tank.
Replace fuel sending units and associated seals. I had fuel smell inside cabin and outside at driver's rear wheel well upon purchase of my C55 in December 2017. No issue since repair. Pull up rear seat bottom cushion, and you'll find evidence of fuel.
Replace fuel sending units and associated seals. I had fuel smell inside cabin and outside at driver's rear wheel well upon purchase of my C55 in December 2017. No issue since repair. Pull up rear seat bottom cushion, and you'll find evidence of fuel.
Extremely uncommon in 203 cars. It was a problem in 211 cars but in my 15 years of slinging MB parts I don't recall seeing the problem on 203s.
While it is a possibility, it would be way down on my list of things to check.
Extremely uncommon in 203 cars. It was a problem in 211 cars but in my 15 years of slinging MB parts I don't recall seeing the problem on 203s.
While it is a possibility, it would be way down on my list of things to check.
I have had to do this repair on 2 w203s and a w209. they are the same part and the C class AMG group were trying to get a class action going also.
I have had to do this repair on 2 w203s and a w209. they are the same part and the C class AMG group were trying to get a class action going also.
You're so right! I'm a fool to think otherwise!
The pump 209-470-05-94 is so common that this store sold one so far this year. The last time we sold one was in 2015.
The sending unit 209-470-04-94 is also really common. It was sold on the same car this year and in 2015.
Three years between sales on 203 and 209 platforms means it isn't even a blip on the radar.
I have no doubts that your attempted class action suit failed.
Before you go there, I can tell you that the non-AMG pumps sold 4 times in the last two years.
I can only tell you what my experience is. All the ones i have worked on have been 55s. You are also basing your bias on ones sold from MB right. I never bought one of the extremely overpriced sending units. It could be that there is an entire aftermarket for these cars too. I did not start the suite or enter it. Believe what you want but this does happen and the green seal that the sell is not for nothing. Also all three of mine have been the sending unit cracking. Its not like this is my first rodeo. this is my I have had and worked on a few benzs in my day.
Its not like this is my first rodeo. this is my I have had and worked on a few benzs in my day.
That's fine. You know more than someone who has been selling Mercedes parts since 2004 with the first 10 years at one of the highest volume stores in the country. I'd love to have all your experience with MB vehicles. Maybe I'd learn something.
Alright guys let's not get salty... No need for a Mercedes Benz pissing contest.
Anyways, thanks for the input everyone. I'm sure we've all had different experiences, but this definitely helps me narrow it down.
INTERESTINGLY - something happened today that I think might be connected to this issue. I did a hard pull from a stop light to overtake an Uber driver (they're a nuisance here in SF) and right after I got to about 30mph the car chimed at me and flashed a red warning sign in the middle of the instrument cluster. Saying "check gas cap, see owners manual". Also, I noticed the the empty light on the gas gauge started flashing! However, the needle was still at half a tank.
I was in the middle of the city, and I decided to go straight home. However, the car felt like it was "limping", and I tried not to put too much throttle on it in case I had a fuel issue. Pulled over to the side and restarted the car, the issue went away. This is starting to really concern me, as I would hate to get stranded somewhere. I actually had my w211 stall on the Bay Bridge and had to spray starter fluid into my intake to get it going... My girlfriend definitely did not like that. Haha
Looks like I'll need to borrow my friends smoke machine this weekend...
Look, I'm not looking for a pissing match. Facts are facts. It happens. Maybe to me more than others but..... just remember you might not know it all either.
Alright guys let's not get salty... No need for a Mercedes Benz pissing contest.
Anyways, thanks for the input everyone. I'm sure we've all had different experiences, but this definitely helps me narrow it down.
INTERESTINGLY - something happened today that I think might be connected to this issue. I did a hard pull from a stop light to overtake an Uber driver (they're a nuisance here in SF) and right after I got to about 30mph the car chimed at me and flashed a red warning sign in the middle of the instrument cluster. Saying "check gas cap, see owners manual". Also, I noticed the the empty light on the gas gauge started flashing! However, the needle was still at half a tank.
I was in the middle of the city, and I decided to go straight home. However, the car felt like it was "limping", and I tried not to put too much throttle on it in case I had a fuel issue. Pulled over to the side and restarted the car, the issue went away. This is starting to really concern me, as I would hate to get stranded somewhere. I actually had my w211 stall on the Bay Bridge and had to spray starter fluid into my intake to get it going... My girlfriend definitely did not like that. Haha
Looks like I'll need to borrow my friends smoke machine this weekend...
some times its just the seal on the cap. Ive heard of people having filler neck issues before but i think they had different symptoms. Its real easy to check a leaking pump or sender to rule that out also.
Look, I'm not looking for a pissing match. Facts are facts. It happens. Maybe to me more than others but..... just remember you might not know it all either.
You learn something every day.
When you're billing out $300,000 to $450,000 per month in parts by yourself and work closely with the techs all day long for more than a decade you learn a thing or two.
I'm still learning.
When it comes to the 203, there are very few surprises left for me to learn. Chances are good that I'm more familiar with these things than most enthusiasts when it comes to mechanical and structural issues.
INTERESTINGLY - something happened today that I think might be connected to this issue. I did a hard pull from a stop light to overtake an Uber driver (they're a nuisance here in SF) and right after I got to about 30mph the car chimed at me and flashed a red warning sign in the middle of the instrument cluster. Saying "check gas cap, see owners manual". Also, I noticed the the empty light on the gas gauge started flashing! However, the needle was still at half a tank.
The low fuel light will flash when there is an evap leak. The gas cap is the common culprit because it is frequently accessed by the user.
The computers will not disable the car due to these issues.
A smoke test might help but you'd have to introduce the smoke into the purge system below the purge valve. The valve can block smoke and the canister should stop it, too.
A visual inspection of the canister and shut off valve will show any obvious cracks. That would be the first place I'd start. It's likely a quick fix.
Well, I was able to look around this weekend and I think I found the culprit... There was a puddle of gasoline around the sending unit and on top of the gas tank, under the rear seat bench. Must have been at least a few cups of gasoline just sitting there. No obvious cracks in the fuel unit or ring cap... Thinking it might just be a seal. Does anyone know if this is covered with a recall? Might call a Merc dealer to see if they'd know if they can service it.
Someone has been in there before. MB doesn't use worm gear hose clamps on fuel systems. I assume it's your fuel pump cap seal.
I doubt seriously that you have a recall concerning your fuel system. There have been zero campaigns on my 2006 C55.
Give me the last 7 of your VIN and I'll see what comes up on your car.
When you replace this you need to get the new style plug also, the tubes running from that sending unit to the new pump are not the same size. you will need to zip tie the clear one to the black one to make it work. The new seal should be green. You might not see a crack with the system off but the top of these is what cracked on mine before. I have a thread on this somewhere with the part number for the new plug.
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