C36 AMG, C43 AMG (W202) 1995 - 2000

Car still smells!!!!

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Old Mar 7, 2017 | 10:12 PM
  #1  
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2003 Corvette Z06, 1999 E55 AMG
Car still smells!!!!

Changed filters, cleaned MAF sensor and most importantly I changed all four oxygen sensors last Saturday. I've only driven the car about two miles due to snow still on the ground, but the car still smells like exhaust, and it's running rich ......and it's all over my clothes etc.

Could it be the fuel regulator? The car is running actually awesome especially Since I changed the sensors but I can't even drive it because my clothes will smell.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I was thinking maybe the sensors need to be run for awhile for it to clean and recalibrate with the ecu but I'm not a mechanic so I have no clue.

Thanks
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Old Mar 7, 2017 | 10:21 PM
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
2003 Corvette Z06, 1999 E55 AMG
One more thing I noticed the cats have been replaced with straight pipes...could that be a cause of the smell? It's coming from the pipes, not inside the car.
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 01:41 AM
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1999 AMG C43
thinking about doing my O2 sensors. what kind of improvement did you notice?

my engine bounces a bit at very low idle while in gear.
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 06:00 AM
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have you checked for exhaust leaks?
you do know that the fumes are toxic and lethal.
i wouldn't sit in a car if fumes enters cabin!

have you noticed having headaches or feeling ill?
you slowly getting poisoned

PO must have messed with the exhaust pipes, maybe clamps are not tighten or old pipes having rust holes?

there is exhaust paste to apply on pipes to seal for possible leaks where the one pipe goes into the other pipe, then let car sit on idle revving it for a while for paste to harden

Last edited by KJI3jflarryfe93; Mar 8, 2017 at 07:31 AM.
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 06:55 AM
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I would check for exhaust leaks and as Kowalski says perhaps the clamps are not tight enough. I would recommend getting some good quality SS clamps like this type: http://www.mikalor.com/eng/super-heavy-duty-clamp-eng
and not the U shaped ones most people go for.

I have to do mine too
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 06:56 AM
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Originally Posted by peppyhead
One more thing I noticed the cats have been replaced with straight pipes...could that be a cause of the smell? It's coming from the pipes, not inside the car.
All the four cats or only the two rears??
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 10:50 AM
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
2003 Corvette Z06, 1999 E55 AMG
Just the two rear cats removed and replaced with straight pipes.
there is no cabin smell whatsoever. I can't really drive it because of snow on the ground but if I start it in my garage and let it idle (thinking it will clear the smell out with the new sensors, etc) your clothes smell like exhaust.
When I replaced the sensors the car idles and runs way better and it was a noticeable difference.
I've tried to search but can't find anything really in this forum. Like I said I don't think it's a big deal, something small but there are no exhaust leaks under the car either....
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 11:52 AM
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Is this Ex. smell comes while AC on or off, or either way..?,

did you check if cabin charcoal filter is clean enough to hold the carbon smells..?!?

those couldn't be the reason, but prefer if you starting from there..

-;ZAYED;-
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 12:46 PM
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Either way you shouldn't be smelling gas at all. If you are then theres some sort of exhaust or fuel leak.
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 01:09 PM
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Removing my secondary cats definitely made my exhaust stink but not that bad. I can't idle in the garage either, bit neither could I before, as the wind pushed exhaust fumes back inside and it would make my eyes burn
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 02:11 PM
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2003 Corvette Z06, 1999 E55 AMG
It's not that I'm smelling just gas, it's kind of a mixture, like the car is carburated or something. I am certain it's the lack of the secondary cats. I guess I can go to my independant mechanic and get them to hook it up to their machines and see.
Nothing seems wrong with the car from a running standpoint. Idles perfect, starts perfect, sounds perfect, and drives great.
Wondering if I put the secondary cats back on if that would make a difference?
Also guys, this might be a dumb question but is the resonators the two devices that look kinda oval/roundish and fat right off the manifolds?
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 02:37 PM
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Those are cats. Resognator is long
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 02:49 PM
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Understood. Any chance those first cats could be plugged or in need of replacement?

So the resognator and secondary cats are history. Those first cats are the only thing on the exhaust except for the muffler at the back.

Thanks for the info PJ.
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 03:51 PM
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If the cats were broken or had a default, you would certainly have an error code.
I still think the problem is that the engine and exhausts are not getting up to ideal operating temperatures. If I started mine now after 2 months hibernation and didn't get out of the garage, the smell would be overpowering.
Until you get the car running on the streets or better still on the highway and reaching ideal operating temperatures, you will always have the smell.
Your 43 is fine IMHO
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 04:25 PM
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I forgot to mention in my previous post that if I stop the engine and start again after 15-20 minutes, the smell of unburned gas will be present for a couple of seconds. The cats need to get up to high temps to "purify" the exhaust gas.
If you get the smell of rotten eggs from the exhaust, you have a cat problem.
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 05:09 PM
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I dont think the car should smell like gas or exhaust fumes at all

Its just not right. Ive been in many MBs and no car has smelled like gas. The exhaust will smell if its running rich or what not but I only had the smell of gas when my fuel pump hose had a tiny leak by the back axle
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 05:20 PM
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I think the OP complains about exhaust smell not gas...
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 05:53 PM
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PJ, not gas, just a strong exhaust odor that probably has gas, oil, etc mixed in there.

Anyway I just got it towed to my mechanic, funny the tow truck driver didn't put the dollys on it right away and cracked my whole front lower bumper and damaged everything. Literally happened 1hour ago. Here is a pic. Good thing is that they are paying for everything and were extremely apologetic, and it was already a bit rough with rock chips etc so now it will be brand new with shiny paint!!! (Here is a pic)
Also we put it up on the hoist and my mechanic without hooking it up yet suspects it could be the pcv valve (Positive Crankcase Ventilation), but will confirm when he's sure.
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 05:54 PM
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Ouch.

Yea they better cover all of the damage.


Btw sorry I read gas somewhere so I thought it had the smell of gas as well.
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 10:42 PM
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Looks like the smell could be the EGR valve.

"Exhaust Gas Recirculation" valve.

These Mercedes don't have a PCV valve apparently.

Here's a great video.

https://mercedessource.com/problems/...-the-egr-valve
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Old Mar 9, 2017 | 02:27 AM
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Your US models are special. I have never seen something like that on our European models.

Checked the EPC for USA models and didn't find this either...
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
C43 USA Exhaust diagram.pdf (100.0 KB, 116 views)
File Type: pdf
C43 USA Exhaust parts list.pdf (58.9 KB, 197 views)

Last edited by DRBC43AMG; Mar 9, 2017 at 05:00 AM. Reason: Completed post and added pdf files
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