I smell petrol while starting my car

Hello Paul, my 1999 Mercedes C200 smells of petrol when I start the car but stops immediately I drive off. What could be the cause? Muhammad.

Hello Muhammad, you need a qualified mechanic to inspect your fuel delivery system with emphasis to the fuel injectors, fuel lines and the fuel pump attachment to the fuel tank. These are the probable leaking points.

Bad fuel injectors will fail to regulate fuel pressure or close when they have to. Often bad fuel injectors noticeably affect engine performance. Leaking fuel lines can be caused by chaffing or corrosion damage. This can be confirmed by visual inspection.

Occasionally, the fuel pump on a 20-year-old C200 can cause a fuel leak if its connecting seal is worn out. Again this will be picked up during inspection.