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Stinky Problem Revisited

Discussion in '308/328' started by bobs308, Sep 13, 2008.

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  1. bobs308

    bobs308 Karting

    Dec 4, 2007
    111
    Lubbock, TX
    Full Name:
    Randy Edwards
    #1 bobs308, Sep 13, 2008
    Last year I posted about the problem I had with my 78 308 stinking up my garage with fumes after returning from each 25-50 mile run. Some one suggested trying a different brand of gas. After switching from a local discount brand (my car is set up to run on regular) to Shell the problem was much less stinky, especially if I let it sit outside for 10-15 minutes before parking and closing the door. For the last couple of fill ups I have been using Chevron and now there is little to no odor. Interesting what a difference there is in gasoline.

    Also, my wife and I have two Mercedes E 320’s calling for premium fuel. With the prices the way they are I tried switching to mid-grade to save a few dollars. With premium I was getting 18-20 MPG around town and 26-28 MPG on the road. I expected a slight drop in mileage with the mid-grade, but with the same driving patterns we are getting 21-22 around town and the same 26-28 on the road. Any one else had similar experiences?
     
  2. Paul_308

    Paul_308 Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2004
    2,345
    #2 Paul_308, Sep 15, 2008
    My wife has had 2 190e MB, the predecessor to the 230e. All fuel used was the mid grade, local service shops agreed that was appropriate and no ill effects. And can't obviously provide a mileage comparison but it's generally 19+town and 25 road.

    And never any smell. I'm curious to know what (local additive) the smell comes from. Sounds like you close your garage doors immediately, perhaps can you leave them open for 10 minutes after getting home?

    This is a great forum to post your question. http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/index.php I just checked there with a 'gas smell' search and it came up with suggestion for checking the cold start valve.

    Also, I just changed the MB fuel filter, located next to the drive-shaft opposite side from the muffler. Needed and emergency trip to the parts house as it came without copper crush washers meaning a slow drip was eminent into a cover which could easily mask such a very small gas leak. That ring any bells?
     
  3. bobs308

    bobs308 Karting

    Dec 4, 2007
    111
    Lubbock, TX
    Full Name:
    Randy Edwards
    #3 bobs308, Sep 15, 2008
    Thank you Paul for your good suggestions. I guess I should have made it clear the odor was from the 308, never from the Mercedes. Yes, I did close the door immediately at first, but quickly learned not to do that. There is a ceiling mounted fan and also a small exhaust fan in the garage to remove odors.

    My main point was the difference the Chevron gas made in the odor problem with the Ferrari and also the increase in fuel economy with the mid-grade in the Mercedes. I was just curious if any one else had any experience with either one of these situations. The switch to Chevron has solved the stinky Ferrari problem.
     
  4. BlueMax

    BlueMax Formula Junior

    Aug 6, 2006
    291
    Norfolk, VA
    Full Name:
    JR
    #4 BlueMax, Sep 16, 2008
    forgive my lack of knowledge here, but I was wondering if there are cats on the '78. I can't remember if the last year of no cats was '77 or '78. And if there are cats, is the "stinkiness" a factor of the catalyst being "used up?"

    Just wondering as I have a '79 with cats that has a bit of an exhaust stinkiness issue also....
     
  5. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2003
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    John
    #5 Jdubbya, Sep 16, 2008
    '78 should have been the first year for cats. Prior to that it was the thermoreactor mufflers. Mine stinks up the garage too but usually from letting it idle when first starting up, and I like the stink!! ;)
     
  6. BlueMax

    BlueMax Formula Junior

    Aug 6, 2006
    291
    Norfolk, VA
    Full Name:
    JR
    #6 BlueMax, Sep 16, 2008
    Yeah, I know. It's just hard to convince the wife that the Ferrari is "a refined lady" when she stinks up the garage like my old StingRay..... She used to think that car was cool until it left us stranded in Temecula. Of course that was 11 years ago. But then, women never forget! Especially when it's stuff they can hold against you!
     
  7. bobs308

    bobs308 Karting

    Dec 4, 2007
    111
    Lubbock, TX
    Full Name:
    Randy Edwards
    #7 bobs308, Sep 17, 2008
    "Especially when it's stuff they can hold against you!"

    I could say something about a woman holding stuff against me, but I won't. My 78 GTS has no cats. Apparently removed by a PO before 1985 and an aftermarket muffler installed; brand unknown, but it sounds good to me. Since the car is over 25 years old I don’t have to worry (at this point in time) about inspections here in the great state of Texas. I didn’t like it when it was stinking, it burned my eyes.
     
  8. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,259
    Black Forest Germany
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    Martin N.
    #8 Martin308GTB, Sep 18, 2008
    I call it 'scent'. I assume you guys have US cars with some emission control systems in the fuel tank vents ? I have a carb Euro car without all this stuff. Fuel tank vents are some simple hoses going right into the atmosphere without any filtering.
    The odors in my inhouse garage remind me of some race pits each time I park my car after a thorough ride. And I love it.

    Best Regards from Germany

    Martin
     
  9. timr

    timr Formula Junior

    Sep 24, 2006
    274
    Seattle Washington
    Full Name:
    Tim
    #9 timr, Sep 19, 2008
    1977 308 GTB US - Very stinky in garage afterwards. Bedroom above garage. Wife hates me for that. I will try Chevron and see if that helps. I also do the 20 minute cool down in the drive way, otherwise known as the "air-out".

    Tim
     
  10. bobs308

    bobs308 Karting

    Dec 4, 2007
    111
    Lubbock, TX
    Full Name:
    Randy Edwards
    #10 bobs308, Sep 19, 2008
    "I will try Chevron and see if that helps."

    You are probably aware the formula of gasoline varies depending on altitude, season, location, etc around the country so the Chevron you get in Washington may not be the same as we get here in Texas. Didn't want you to be too disappointed if it didn't help.

    Randy
     
  11. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
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    #11 Jdubbya, Sep 20, 2008
    I think I figured out what the problem is for you guys. I took mine for a drive today and noticed that the "stink" wasn't a problem when I got home.


    On second thought, it's only not a problem for me because I don't have a wife for it to bother. It still stunk up the garage!



    Sorry, couldn't resist, and I'm not recommending divorce to solve the problem either, just having some fun!!
     
  12. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 24, 2002
    5,303
    Ventura, California
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    Robert Garven
    #12 robertgarven, Sep 20, 2008
    I like it and hope it kills the termites!! carbed ferraris are very visceral, and there is no getting away from that!
     
  13. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,259
    Black Forest Germany
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    Martin N.
    #13 Martin308GTB, Sep 21, 2008
    Rob; I doubt that. Despite that race pit scent I have in my garage, I have a LOT of insects, especially spiders. At least these eat the myriads of gnats. I think, it doesn't kill them. I sometimes think, they like it too.

    Best Regards from Germany

    Martin
     
  14. bobs308

    bobs308 Karting

    Dec 4, 2007
    111
    Lubbock, TX
    Full Name:
    Randy Edwards
    #14 bobs308, Sep 21, 2008
    "I also do the 20 minute cool down in the drive way, otherwise known as the "air-out"."

    BTW, what I call an "air-out" is when all four wheels leave the ground because I was going too fast over a rise in the road.

    Randy
     

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