My friend has a 1998 ML320 (150K Miles) and it has a strong smell of gas fumes when it is running,especially when starting the car. It takes about 10 to 15sec. of cranking before it starts. She took the car to MB dealer for service and they said the check valve in the fuel pump was bad (based on their claim of a failed leak down test). $800.00 dollars later for new pump and filter, it still does the same thing. I am wondering if there could be a cut out fuel injector or possibly (if it has one) a leaking cold start valve. At times while driving the car it will start running rough as if it is only running on 5 cyls for short periods of time and then clear up.

Thank You

I had some one tell me to pull the vac hose off of the fuel pressure reg. and if it contains gas, to replace it. I have not had a chance to check it out yet.

 

Has anyone had any success in getting a dealer refund for work done that did not solve the problem?

 

It has been over a year since I posted my hard to start problem, and just by accident I solved the problem. It turns out the chip in the smart key was faulty and I only found out by chance, when I used a spare key and the car started with no problem. I still have the strong gas fume smell after startup. I was told that the fuel presure reg is built into the fuel pump. There is no fuel return line.[/align]