This afternoon, I discovered that the oddly shaped hose which connects the engine of my 300D to the return line has developed a leak.
Luckily the leak was directed downward rather than towards the turbo. I have since replaced it with the proper part, thanks to my neighbor's inventory of MB parts, but I'm curious -- why is this hose shaped as it is? Could I have used a simple straight piece of hose instead?

Phil

'85 300D
'84 Euro 300D