BlkE55K

Lately, perhaps because it is colder, I have been getting a gas smell in the cabin during cold starts and until the car warms a bit. Could this be because of the lack of cats? Or maybe something else? Anyone else have this same symptom?

komp55

It sounds like you probably have the well-known leak in one of your fuel sending units. Everything you need to know has been discussed ad nauseum in this thread:

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...all-bombs.html

My car is actually at the dealer right now having one of the sending units replaced under my extended CPO warranty. Needless to say, I'm glad the sender seal decided to fail before my extended warranty expires within the next few weeks. My other sending unit has already previously been replaced under warranty.

Nothing to panic about. Just get it fixed.

BlkE55K

I'll check again, but the last time, it looked nice and try back there. The smell seems to be coming in through the vents.

BlkE55K

I took out the back seat, opened up the caps and watched the fuel sending unit as I turned on the car and let it run for a bit. It's dry like a Texas summer in there. The smell appears to be coming from the engine bay. Once the engine is warm or after a warm start, the smell is not there. That's why I am wondering if it's due to the lack of cats.

togaclk55

Same thing happens to me. It's because of the no cats. Once the car warms up, the smell goes away.

BlkE55K

Cool. At least it's not because there is a leak and my car is going to blow up. Though if it did, that would be a good reason to get a TT E63.

Hellzno

mine does this on cold start ups. i can smell from front of car and through vents. my sending units under back seat are dry too. My car is stock.

Buxton

No one ever came up with a solution to this? I have it now too. Only morning cold start then gone after a couple minutes.

Any solutions? I've read the fuel tank sending unit blah blah a hundred times it's not that it's front end only. Evap purge valve?

No leaky lines, no fuel in exhaust pipes...no rough idle, performance issues, no impact on mileage.... Just a stinky fuel smell on cold start.

Anyone?

Thanks in advance

superstar

Did you find out where the fuel smell is coming from? i have the same issue in my 03 SL55. Only fuel smell at morning cold start then gone after a couple minutes.I Checked the car with STAR system. No codes .

JaySee56

I'm also having this problem. Smell is definitely coming from the engine bay, and stops when the engine is hot. Been ove a year now, so have a hard time believing it is a cracked fuel rail. Had the packing changed on the fuel pressure regulator with no effect. The purge valve sucks not blows so can't see how this would do it. Could put UV tracer fluid in the gas to check rails, but means removing kompressor and intake manifold....

turbo97se

My car had no cats for a while ... smell was always there cold or warm. Couldn't stand the smell anymore, so put high flows in ... no more smell. It was giving me a headache

JaySee56

My SL55 is straight stock. Haven't touched cats, exhaust doesn't smell of fuel. (neighbours must thought I was nuts!) Buxton's description just like mine. No codes, lights, unusual consumption (for a '55) No fires, yet. Can hear the purge valve working, sounds like a bad lifter...

jonnyc

it's probably coming from the fuel rail.at the back,under the throttle body and by the fire wall there is a fuel damper.the o-ring starts to dry up and it will leak when it's cold.once everything warms up the leak stops.you can try to find an o-ring to replace it but it's an odd size and needs to withstand fuel.or you can order the damper with the o-ring like I did.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...792&cc=1432296

StarvingArtist

I just resealed mine with YAMABOND-4 last week. let it cure for a couple days before starting. It won't leak again...EVER!
The O-ring at least.

E55Dimon

Exhaust work + tune = smell. Get on it a few times and you'll smell it again.
I have the fuel sender unit issue and filled my car up to the top last night (foolish) - now thats a gas smell.

turbo97se

You need to get that fixed … full or not it is dangerous. Be safe

James M

Mine does the same since I fitted a full custom exhaust - it is normal when you have the cats removed. Mine smells really rich because I never did a tune after fitting my new exhaust. Better than the rotten egg smell you get from new cats. I have also heard that E55's run slightly rich if left stock anyway. Every fast car I have ever owned smelled of gas,oil and leather - love it!

Quicksilv3r

+1 And the FSU seal(s) on mine were just replaced 30K miles ago. I don't get it. Currently, it's the car's only issue. It doesn't seem cost-effective to have it done repeatedly simply to alleviate a smell, after all I certainly don't smoke in or around the car.