[W126 Coupe] where is that smell coming from?

[eurotech1 at charter.net]

Hi Rich,

  Has your A/C been retrofitted for R134a refrigerant? R134a has an odd odor reminescent of propane. Or perhaps an R12 substitute? Some of those are basically LP gas. I would think though, if you had a bad enough leak that you could smell it, the refrigerant would be gone in two or three days, and the odor as well.
  Another thought could be an overheating circuit board in a control unit or relay. They can give off some funky odors when they get hot. Are all your accessories and so on working? I would investigate a possible refrigerant leak, first, and if that checks out clean, get a tech to smell of your car, and see what his opinion is.

                 Christopher Huffine
> From: Rico2005 <rico2005 at telus.net>
> Date: 2005/01/27 Thu PM 02:01:06 EST
> To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
> Subject: [W126 Coupe] where is that smell coming from?
> 
> (Please cc me on replies as I am not receiving list updates)
> 
> Hi, I've been driving a bit on my Euro 560SEC (it has been raining here
> lately, and I don't usually drive it in rain), and have noticed an odd
> smell that occasionally permeates through the passenger cabin. I say "odd"
> since I can't quite pinpoint the smell. I have replaced my EHA valve and
> seals recently, as well as my gas cap. But honestly, it isn't a "pure gas"
> smell. Strangely enough, it smells more like propane than anything else.
> And no, it wasn't when I was following a propane-powered vehicle.
> 
> I asked my mechanic about it, and he wasn't sure either. He suggested
> changing my fuel to see if that had any effect (I use Chevron 92 octane).
> But my windows and such seal pretty well, so I can't imagine it being the 
> exhaust coming back in. So I'm a little perplexed. Appreciate any thoughts.
> 
> Rich
> '87 Euro 560SEC
> http://qube.myvnc.com/mercedes/560SEC/page4.html
> 
> 
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