MB-JIM

I have had my 05 E320 CDI in for service three times because of smelling diesel fumes when I put the car in the garage. Finally, I was told they contacted MB and an MB engineer said this was normal on the CDI engines. Does anyone know why this would be so only on a CDI engine and where the fumes are coming out?
My earlier non CDI diesels never had this problem unless there was a leak.
I can't believe this odor is normal and that nothing can be done about it.
Does anyone else have this problem ?

khaug

Hi Jim. We've had a problem with diesel exhaust smell in the cabin when the sunroof is fully open and, oddly, when the climate control is in the recirculate mode (sunroof closed). We had our dealer check the car for this when it returned recently from Euro delivery, but service claimed they couldn't duplicate the problem.

I posted this problem several weeks ago, with no conclusive replies. You might want to search on "fumes" or "exhaust" and see if you can find the thread.

Good luck. Please post back if you find a cause or solution. It's very hard to believe that exhaust fumes entering the cabin could be normal!

DavidNJ

We haven't noticed anything, but we don't keep in the garage (the garage is occupied, see the signature).

Even window open or in recirc mode, we haven't noticed anything but noise (a lot louder with the window open!).

David

glojo

Grrrrr Absolute Poppy****!!!!! (will that pass the censor) I have never heard so much rubbish.

My car lives in our garage and believe it or not the floor is carpeted???? No smell, no odour. Do you start the engine with the garage door still closed?

There have been problems with a 'clip' on a fuel pipe in the engine bay. I have never seen this clip so cannot give a precise location. However a number of CDI's have reported fuel leaks and this 'clip' has been replaced with a more sturdy version. The fuel that leaked then collected in the engine pan and continually gave off the horrible odour we are talking about. I am not saying this is your problem. I am saying though that you have been told a complete load of pugwash.

Good luck with solving your problem,
John

An overcast morning in Torquay

glojo

I have found this post by 'Marcos' which might be relevant?

"""The clip he changed was to the left of the block on a pipe going into what looks like a filter. The clips are just push on things and seem to be a waste of time, he replaced it using a proper jubilee clip.
Throuble with diesel is a small leak makes abig smell and it takes ages for it to go, the other problem is the diesel settles in the sumpgaurd and that has a kind of foam insulator so if it isnt properly cleaned the smell stays for ages."""

There are indeed a number of posts about this so I stand by my opinion of your 'advisor'

Regards,
John

shoes

When I first got my diesel (my first), I thought I smelled fumes periodically, although I could not find any pattern to it. After owning the car for maybe two weeks, I never smelled anything again.

I recently handed down the diesel to my wife. The first two times she drove it, she complained about the overwhelming chemical smell. After that, she never noticed a thing.

Sounds like the drivers need to adjust to what is a normal odor from driving a diesel car?

glojo

I think your tolerance level is much lower than my own. Any diesel fumes coming from my vehicle would be totally unacceptable.

Again we might be comparing very dis-similar quality of fuel. Diesel in Europe is now 'scented' and as I have stated previously when starting our car on a cold morning it smells like a very cheap bordello!!!! (Not that I have first hand experience) The smell is not that strong really!

Regards,
John

MB-JIM

I want to thank all of you who have responded. Obviously, there should be no odor. I will have a serious discussion with my service manager and get to the bottom of this. You have restored my faith in the CDI design.
Jim

HELL ONA HARLEY

Ahhh... I see your finally starting to come out of the closet....You know, I think this may be a small step towards your recovery :p :p :p

glojo

Not like these 'bikers' that wash in oil and grease :p

Nice talking to you XXX
John
Night time in Torquay

chemo

I came across this thread the other day. My engine compartment smells of diesel and it is getting worse. I don't see anything dripping. I've read all the posts but was looking for any more information from those that had it fixed already.


chemo

CE750

Step 1: see dealer, it could be something as simple as a loose clamp. Though it's more likely a leak in the 23000PSI metering system or pump.

Step 2: if dealer unable to fix.. PM MB-JIM and see what he did to get his situation resolved.

prometheus

I see it as one of the joys of owning a diesel

CE750

BTW.. any diesel owners who already haven't voted: Get to it!

https://mbworld.org/forums/suggestions-feedback/124303-diesel-forum.html

saffrontiger

I've experienced the same problem. It was finally fixed when the SA discovered three small leaks. They "clamped" it and no problems since then. BTW, the diesel smell was atrocious especially in the garage. Hope this helps.

konigstiger

Glad to see everything worked out for the best

cdiken

Use a torx driver to remove the 9 screws that retain the engine cover.

Pluck the screws away with a magnet after they are unthreaded.

Remove the engine cover, turn it upside down and look for evidence of fuel in the sound insulation.

Start the engine sans decorative/sound insulating cover. Look for visible leaks in the filtration/injection. Also look for staining of the aluminum cylinder head for evidence of prior fuel leakage.

If you smell fuel but don't see it on the garage floor, chances are it is evaporating on hot engine components. (ie fire hazard, FLASHPOINT is reached!)

BudC

Leaks can be found by adding a dye to the fuel and checking it with a light. Every new V6 diesel is now checked this way.

If your dealer refuses to do it, tell him you plan to take it to an Independent to have it tested and when they find the problem you will send the bill to MBUSA with an explanation about why you had to go to an Indy.

There are CDI's that leak. There is a way to find the leak(s). Don't let the dealer stonewall you.

New V6 diesels being tested for leaks. http://www.germancarfans.com/photos....ercedes/1.html