Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Mercedes-Benz Cars / October 2007

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

Fabric Fuel lines?

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
DougS - 08 Oct 2007 14:56 GMT
On my 84 300D, I have fabric hoses running from the main fuel filter,
to the first injector, then out the other side of the injector to the
next one and so on to the last one, and then its plugged at the end.
What are these, and should they be leaching fuel? Can I replace them
with rubber fuel lines? Is it normal for them to be leaking/leaching
fuel?
Any help is appreciated.
Doug
trader4@optonline.net - 08 Oct 2007 16:00 GMT
> On my 84 300D, I have fabric hoses running from the main fuel filter,
> to the first injector, then out the other side of the injector to the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Any help is appreciated.
> Doug

Those fabric covered injection return hoses are the MB OEM version.
And they are a real pain, because they only last a few years and then
start weeping again, leaving your car smelling like diesel.

I replaced mine with synthetic ones that look like yellow vinyl but
are fuel rated.   Found them at the local auto parts store where they
sell them by the foot.   Replaced them many years ago, 7+, and no more
weeping.      Make sure what you get is fuel rated.

Now the last one which is plugged off is a bit more problematic.   I
tried using silicone to plug up about an inch of the last piece.
That did work for all those years until recently with no problems.
But then the silicone worked out of the end of the tubing.  It had not
deteriorated, it just came out as a solid plug because it did not
adhere well to the inside of the plastic tubing.

I just obtained a brass barbed end plumbing fitting at Home Depot,
think it was 1/8"  I'm going to cut the end of the fitting off, solder
it closed and use the barb part as a plug.
me - 08 Oct 2007 16:13 GMT
>> On my 84 300D, I have fabric hoses running from the main fuel
>> filter,
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
> solder
> it closed and use the barb part as a plug.

Just a FYI. As a solution to the second problem I used a self tapping
metal screw with a tiny hose clamp. Never leaked again.
DougS - 08 Oct 2007 18:38 GMT
On Oct 8, 11:00 am, "trad...@optonline.net" <trad...@optonline.net>
wrote:

> > On my 84 300D, I have fabric hoses running from the main fuel filter,
> > to the first injector, then out the other side of the injector to the
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> think it was 1/8"  I'm going to cut the end of the fitting off, solder
> it closed and use the barb part as a plug.

Thanks for the comments. The last one on mine is plugged with some
kind of metal plug. I'm pretty sure I can reuse it. I'll check out
some replacements at the parts store today.
Any idea on the size for it? Or should I just take one off when I get
there and say give me this size?
Tiger - 08 Oct 2007 20:43 GMT
I'd rather change it out with Viton fuel line... the inside diameter is 1/8"
but you need a thick wall as original.

When the line is weeping, it is definitely bad.
DougS - 08 Oct 2007 21:57 GMT
> I'd rather change it out with Viton fuel line... the inside diameter is 1/8"
> but you need a thick wall as original.
>
> When the line is weeping, it is definitely bad.

Weeping, thats the word I was searching for earlier. Leaching is all I
could think of. I'll check into the Viton. Thanks for that lead. A
quick google search brings up a number of options for Viton hoses.
Here is a kit to do exactly what I want:
http://www.greaseworks.org/index.php?module=pncommerce&func=itemview&ItemID=120
Maybe they won't mind me posting the link to it. It sells for around
$20, and even comes with an end cap, so you can save a hose clamp.
If I can't find something suitable today, then I will order this.
trader4@optonline.net - 09 Oct 2007 18:28 GMT
> > I'd rather change it out with Viton fuel line... the inside diameter is 1/8"
> > but you need a thick wall as original.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> $20, and even comes with an end cap, so you can save a hose clamp.
> If I can't find something suitable today, then I will order this.

If you just take a piece of the old fabric hose to an autoparts store
they should be able to match it.  I don't know if what I got was
Viton, but it was fuel rated and was a semi-transparent yellow
color.   And the few feet you need can be had for a lot less that
$20.   On the other hand, for the convenience of ordering it online
and having it come with the appropriate end plug, $20 doesn't sound
bad, especially if you're ordering other parts online and save on
shipping.
Tiger - 09 Oct 2007 19:45 GMT
Amber colored clear tube is PVC fuel rated hoses... it is a fairly
reasonable priced hose.
DougS - 17 Oct 2007 22:34 GMT
> Amber colored clear tube is PVC fuel rated hoses... it is a fairly
> reasonable priced hose.

I checked at AutoZone and Advanced Auto close by. Neither had any fuel
line that was 1/8" I.D. I did find some chainsaw fuel line at Advanced
for $2 (for 2') that I got to see if it would work. I'm testing it out
on one section right now to see how it holds up to the heat of the
engine. It doesn't look like it is heavy duty enough, but it seems to
be holding up okay so far. Its definitely not leaking like the hose it
replaced was, so it is doing its job right now.
No one seems to have any of the amber colored hose either. I am going
to check at a local NAPA and the newer O'reilly Auto Parts stores
around here to see if they have anything better.
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2009 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.