Occasional smell of petrol in cabin.

[harryflatters]

Last June, I bought a 2016 SLK300 AMG Sport, one owner, full MB service history, less than 23k on the clock. It's an absolutely superb car which I am so pleased to own. Recently, however, I get an occasional but quite strong smell of petrol. It happens sometimes when I have been driving and pull up in traffic or to park etc. , although there is no real pattern to it. My fuel consumption has not been good (circa 26-30 mpg over last 300 miles or so) although I tend to put that down to the mostly short journeys I do these days. Anyone else had this sort of experience with this model? What solution was found? Any and all ideas welcomed! Thanks.

 

[rf065]

Last June, I bought a 2016 SLK300 AMG Sport, one owner, full MB service history, less than 23k on the clock. It's an absolutely superb car which I am so pleased to own. Recently, however, I get an occasional but quite strong smell of petrol. It happens sometimes when I have been driving and pull up in traffic or to park etc. , although there is no real pattern to it. My fuel consumption has not been good (circa 26-30 mpg over last 300 miles or so) although I tend to put that down to the mostly short journeys I do these days. Anyone else had this sort of experience with this model? What solution was found? Any and all ideas welcomed! Thanks.

My SLC300 was the same, never ever found any sign of a fuel leak, or any pattern to it, just a really strong smell of petrol. Only thing I could put it down to was when cold the mixture might be rich and unburnt petrol was passing through the exhaust. I don't recall it happening when the engine was up to temperature or on a long run.

 

[harryflatters]

My SLC300 was the same, never ever found any sign of a fuel leak, or any pattern to it, just a really strong smell of petrol. Only thing I could put it down to was when cold the mixture might be rich and unburnt petrol was passing through the exhaust. I don't recall it happening when the engine was up to temperature or on a long run.

Thanks so much for your reply @rf065 . I wondered about that too, especially as it sometimes happens when I am reversing out of our undercroft parking space below our apartment. Trouble is, I do get it when engine is up to temperature, although I can see no pattern to it, nor can I detect any sign of a petrol leak!! It's very annoying!! I hope I might get a few more replies on the subject. Thanks again.

 

[pcthrillrider]

have you checked under the bonnet with the engine running and the engine cover off? also check under the rear for the fuel filter was in my case

 

[harryflatters]

have you checked under the bonnet with the engine running and the engine cover off? also check under the rear for the fuel filter was in my case

Many thanks @pcthrillrider . Back 'in the day' I used to lift cylinder heads, grind valves etc. and spent hours balancing twin SU's and what have you! Not these days, but I will have a go under the bonnet. I will also try looking under the rear of the car, like you say. Trouble is, 'anno domini' , 'dicky' back and left knee means I might not be able to get up again!! Thank you very much for helping.

 

[pcthrillrider]

Many thanks @pcthrillrider . Back 'in the day' I used to lift cylinder heads, grind valves etc. and spent hours balancing twin SU's and what have you! Not these days, but I will have a go under the bonnet. I will also try looking under the rear of the car, like you say. Trouble is, 'anno domini' , 'dicky' back and left knee means I might not be able to get up again!! Thank you very much for helping.

imused to strip engines down and rebuild them when i was younger in the 80's not now im too old lol

 

[rayaans]

Is the SLK300 using the same engine as the C200 / C300 of the same year? There was an issue with fuel hoses on these engines which caused a strong petrol smell in the cabin

 

[SpikyMikey]

Is the SLK300 using the same engine as the C200 / C300 of the same year? There was an issue with fuel hoses on these engines which caused a strong petrol smell in the cabin

If it's like the M274 engine in the C Class, there was a redesign of the flexible hose from the solid fuel lines to the high pressure fuel pump.

 

[harryflatters]

imused to strip engines down and rebuild them when i was younger in the 80's not now im too old lol

the '80's! - just a child, my dear boy!! I'm talking late '60's/'70's! 1967 Mk 4 AH Sprite, Singer Chamois, 1963 MGB etc' (in that order!!)_ Formed a syndicate hoping to go Clubman racing. By time we thought we had enough money to buy a competitive car, the 'ante' had been upped so much by the likes of Ray Mallock and the like that we never made it!! We re-engined (can't quite remember but think a 1.6 litre MG engine of some sort!) an Austin A40 (of all things!) and lowered and 'fettled' suspension etc. to go hill climbing. Great fun but never really in the hunt!! I couldn't see any signs of a leak from underneath the rear. The engine compartment did have a smell, although I wasn't getting the smell in the cabin today! Search goes on!!

 

[harryflatters]

Is the SLK300 using the same engine as the C200 / C300 of the same year? There was an issue with fuel hoses on these engines which caused a strong petrol smell in the cabin

Many thanks @rayaans and @SpikyMikey I think it highly likely the C200 would have used the same engine. Your comments on the fuel line are very helpful and I wouldn't be surprise if that isn't the problem. I will investigate. Thanks to all again for your interest and support.