[W126 Coupe] very big petrol smell in my 500 SEC

[Mister McGoo]

Interesting problem! You say the smell occurs when you start the engine in the 500SEC.  I assume that the strong smell is NOT present all the time.  If you had a petrol leak the smell would be there all the time.  Would you say the smell is the same as petrol smell when you are filling the tank at a station?  Or is it much stronger than that? As Dick suggests look under the back.  Look at the fuel pumps behind the rear wheel on the right hand side for any sign of a leak.  You should be able to smell the petrol strongly if the leak is there.  Another common leak is the return hose at the bottom of the petrol tank.  This hose is frequently overlooked... it is short, black and over time deteriorates and starts to seep.  If so, it will look (and feel) wet. I suspect that there are no leaks there.  As Dick suggests there would be a puddle or drops on the floor under a leak.  However, petrol evaporates quickly... you might place a clean sheet of cardboard under the back of the car.  Even evaporated gas will leave a noticeable mark. IF the petrol is leaking in the engine compartment the situation is highly dangerous.  Before starting the engine look very careful for signs of petrol anywhere in the engine compartment.   If you can not find and fuel leaks anywhere, move the SEC from the garage (push by hand if that's possible) before starting the engine.   Questions:  Does the SEC have fresh petrol in it?  Is it possible that the fuel is contaminated with something?  Does the exhaust from the tailpipe appear NOT normal (black smoke, white smoke, blue smoke?)  Is the smell definitely from the exhaust pipe?  Does the engine start and run normally?  If there is ANY white "smoke" coming from the engine compartment, shut it down immediately.  It could be petrol vaporizing on hot engine or manifolds... VERY dangerous indeed. How did you connect the new exhaust pipe?  Is it a standard steel exhaust pipe?  Did you change anything on the pipe(s) from the engine?
 I think all we can do is guess what might be happening.  See if you can give more detail by describing the strong smell and the source of the smell if possible. (If you don't know the English word for something you are describing, use your "castellano".  Someone will translate it.) -Bellamy  


Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 10:20:10 -0800From: alejandrobenz at yahoo.esTo: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.comSubject: [W126 Coupe] very big petrol smell in my 500 SEC




Thank you for your comments-
First of all, as I was born in Argentina,my main language is "castellano" and may be as I tried to explain very deeply the problem was not clear.
I'll try to make it shorter-
At the same garage I have a 250SE 1967, 170 Sb 1952, and the gorgeous 500. When starting the 250 and 170, I can breathe normally. Of course before starting the engines I open the windows and the main door remains wide open aswell, and I switch on a big fan to remove the air, and there is NO PROBLEM AT ALL. But when starting the 500 even with every air outlet open plus fan it is impossible to breath. I KNOW THAT  IS NO GOOD TO BE IN A GARAGE WITH THE ENGINES ON.
My question is if anybody can tell me the origin of the problem, because what happens with the 500 IS NOT NORMAL.
 
Thank for your first reply, but I still have the problem.
 
 
 

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