Park430

Hello! I have searched for this many times, but can't seem to get to the bottom of the problem.

I have a 2004 E500, and the problem has gotten progressively worse. On a cold start like going to work in the morning or starting it after work it takes many times to turn over, but if the car has been ran, and turned off and on it starts right away.

I also have noticed the smell of gas when I get out of the car but for the life of me can't see any leaking on the ground or any obvious places the gas is coming from.

Any help or guidance to what may cause this is greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

tjts1

Your fuel tank is leaking from the fuel sender cover. MB extended the warranty to 15 years but that ship has sailed. The starting issue is unrelated

juanmor40

Have you scanned the vehicle for codes, possibly something already stored to look at.

From @tjts1 advice:
1 - go in the back, remove the bottom seat
2 - you will see two black covers, remove the screws
3 - If the tank was filled full recently, likely you will have a gas puddle on top of the fuel sender

Mileage on your car? Though generally unrelated, your next step is to remove the gas leak. Then, proceed with the starting issue and luckily some guidance from the scanner.

CQHall

I had this problem in my E55. If you smell it strongly outside of the car on the passenger side, it could be the vapor canister purge valve: