Today when I got into my car, there was a strong gasoline smell coming up from the air vent (the heater was on).

The smell would go away when driving and it would come back within seconds when stopped.

I popped the hood and there was a very strong gasoline smell. The smell was not coming from the tail pipe but from under the hood.

I havent drove the car for the last few days and it's very cold today so this issue might be cold-related ?

After driving the car for 20 minutes, the smell went away (both from the cabin and under the hood). I parked the car on the street, started it a few hours later and the smell was gone.

Also, I havent filled the car this week.

Is this something that I should be worried about ? Or is there anything I need to check before I take it to the mechanic ?

Posted by Mickael Today when I got into my car, there was a strong gasoline smell coming up from the air vent (the heater was on). The smell would go away when driving and it would come back within seconds when stopped. I popped the hood and there was a very strong gasoline smell. The smell was not coming from the tail pipe but from under the hood. I havent drove the car for the last few days and it's very cold today so this issue might be cold-related ? After driving the car for 20 minutes, the smell went away (both from the cabin and under the hood). I parked the car on the street, started it a few hours later and the smell was gone. Also, I havent filled the car this week. Is this something that I should be worried about ? Or is there anything I need to check before I take it to the mechanic ?

i would have it checked.
it could be one of a couple things... what make/model is the car? how many miles and how old is it?

Sam: It's a 2006 Merc B200 Turbo with ~130000km

you have a fuel leak somewhere on the pressure side of the fuel system. The German fuel hose is notorious for cracking and leaking. Both German cars I've owned had the issue as well as all of the German built tractors I used to work on. The bad stuff has a cloth weave over the rubber, replace it with all rubber line and you'll be OK. If you cant do it yourself, limit driving of the vehicle as it is a fire hazard and get it to a shop that can work on it.

Posted by cavemonkey you have a fuel leak somewhere on the pressure side of the fuel system. The German fuel hose is notorious for cracking and leaking. Both German cars I've owned had the issue as well as all of the German built tractors I used to work on. The bad stuff has a cloth weave over the rubber, replace it with all rubber line and you'll be OK. If you cant do it yourself, limit driving of the vehicle as it is a fire hazard and get it to a shop that can work on it.

...Maybe in the '70s. They haven't used that cloth covered stuff for fuel since the aircooled VW days.

It's probably an EVAP issue (or a leaking injector). Get it checked out either way.

Posted by bandi It's probably an EVAP issue (or a leaking injector). Get it checked out either way.

is was thinking something with the EVAP had frozen/broken... definitely should be looked at.

Posted by bandi ...Maybe in the '70s. They haven't used that cloth covered stuff for fuel since the aircooled VW days. It's probably an EVAP issue (or a leaking injector). Get it checked out either way.

My 1995 540i as well as the 85 mercedes 300D were equipped with it. Brand new John Deere tractors made in Germany are also equipped with it. It is still alive and well unfortunately. As for the b200 i am not entirely sure, have never worked one one. Just an educated guess that could be wrong...

The smell went away the same day that it started and I haven't smelled it again.

maybe you spilled gas on your feet when you were filling your tank?

Posted by nostra-YOUPPI! maybe you spilled gas on your feet when you were filling your tank?

Posted by nostra-YOUPPI! maybe you spilled gas on your feet when you were filling your tank?

No the gas smell was coming from the car vent only when I stopped at red lights. It would take about 7-8 seconds and then the smell would come up.

When I drove the car, the smell would go away and come back at the next red light.

When I got to my destination, I popped the hood and that's where the strong smell was coming from (and since the air vent intake is located just under the windshield, it would pickup the smell and shoot it inside the cabin.

It seems to be all fixed now. but I discovered this morning that I have a wiper fluid leak somewhere (the tank will empty over a 2-3 days period only if it's VERY cold outside. And ofcourse since it's a 2006 the thing is out of warranty.