2008 E350 PZEV gas smell (W211)
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2008 E350
2008 E350 PZEV gas smell (W211)
Hello,
My 2008 RWD smells of gas after filling gas. I read through the forum and was able to look under the rear seat (driver's side) and saw a pool of gasoline (may be less than 1/2 ounce) over the cover in the backside (may be because it's sloping down rearward). I cleaned it and put the seat back. I don't see any crack. Also, the cover is black (not white as other posts). The more I read the posts, the more confusing it gets.
Please let me know if it can be fixed. If so, what are the parts needed. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures when I removed it. I can take the picture if needed.
Thanks in advance.
PS: This is my first post and I'm fairly new to navigating this site, so please be kind to me. Also, when I entered my VIN in lastVIN, I see that mine is PZEV (New York car when new)
My 2008 RWD smells of gas after filling gas. I read through the forum and was able to look under the rear seat (driver's side) and saw a pool of gasoline (may be less than 1/2 ounce) over the cover in the backside (may be because it's sloping down rearward). I cleaned it and put the seat back. I don't see any crack. Also, the cover is black (not white as other posts). The more I read the posts, the more confusing it gets.
Please let me know if it can be fixed. If so, what are the parts needed. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures when I removed it. I can take the picture if needed.
Thanks in advance.
PS: This is my first post and I'm fairly new to navigating this site, so please be kind to me. Also, when I entered my VIN in lastVIN, I see that mine is PZEV (New York car when new)
Last edited by guna; Mar 26, 2026 at 09:10 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2024
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2008 E350
I called the dealership and was told that the warranty ended in 2023.
Can someone please tell me what do I need to do to address this issue (and if I cannot, what needs to be done to fix this issue). Thank you.
Can someone please tell me what do I need to do to address this issue (and if I cannot, what needs to be done to fix this issue). Thank you.
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 101
Likes: 19
From: Orange County, CA
08 E350
Unfortunately, the only real solution is to change of the who gas tank since it's a closed system and you cannot just change the pump without doing a "mickey mouse" kind of a job. It is not cheap by any means.
Thread Starter
Newbie
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2008 E350
Fuel leak is related to pump or can I do something to where the fuel leaks (under rearseat driver side). My understanding is that the pump is on the passenger side (shielded) and I saw a post where someone cut open and replaced it).
Since I just got it, I am trying to avoid spending too much. Thank you.
Since I just got it, I am trying to avoid spending too much. Thank you.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 6
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2008 E350
Update: I took it to the mechanic and he looked under the seat (passenger side) and saw a cut out and a very bad patch of it (something like a putty/caulk, wet and smells of gas).
Given that the fuel pump might have been changed (and the mechanic is going to do a better patch of the passenger side), is there anything I can do to the gas leak on the passenger side? Whatever part is available (on RockAuto) is for non-PZEV.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
PS: Can aused tank (non-pzev) replace the current one?
Given that the fuel pump might have been changed (and the mechanic is going to do a better patch of the passenger side), is there anything I can do to the gas leak on the passenger side? Whatever part is available (on RockAuto) is for non-PZEV.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
PS: Can aused tank (non-pzev) replace the current one?
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Thread Starter
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2008 E350
I am planning to reseal (with something better than putty like stuff) for the pump (passenger side) cut out. I just would want to be able to seal the leak on the driver side. Not sure what's causing this. I wonder if I can somehow replace something (just the top cover or something) and stop the gasoline pooling (and resulting odor) on driver side. I just hope this is not dangerous.
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Joined: Jun 2025
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here is the info : https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/201...3003-61719.pdf
