Cigar hose and biodiesel...to change or not to change? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Biodiesel300TD · #1 01-28-2006, 01:16 PM

I am going to put vitons hoses in my 300TD because I use biodiesel. I have seen lots of discussion about what the cigar hose does, and wether it is necessary or not. What have you other biodiesel geeks done, and have you have noticed any difference if you put a normal hose in place of the cigar hose. I have a viton to replace the cigar hose, but it is just a normal shapped one.

83-240D · #2 01-28-2006, 03:51 PM

i'm still running rubber on my cars and monitor the condition. i just chenged all three hoses. i was told here that there must be a reason mb made the cigar hose the way they did so i just have used those.

Jimmy Joe · #3 01-28-2006, 05:30 PM

Do a search on "cigar hose" - it performs a purpose to reduce fuel "hammering" or some such thing and most likely it is best not to just eliminate it. Get a new one from the dealer, it will hold up to BD for a couple years at least.

sailor15015 · #4 01-28-2006, 07:02 PM

Are you having problems with the bio eating your lines? Neither one of my cars had this problem. However, the original Datsun beater truck we tried it out on goes through a set of hoses a month. I think its because there's a lot more rubber hose exposed to the heat of the engine on that truck as opposed to the Benz.

Hatterasguy · #5 01-28-2006, 07:05 PM

I replaced the cigar hose on my SD when I got it on the road in Oct. I didn't want to spend $10 on a new hose and had regular fuel line in stock to replace it.

I havn't noticed a difference.

Biodiesel300TD · #6 01-28-2006, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailor15015

Are you having problems with the bio eating your lines? Neither one of my cars had this problem. However, the original Datsun beater truck we tried it out on goes through a set of hoses a month. I think its because there's a lot more rubber hose exposed to the heat of the engine on that truck as opposed to the Benz.

No I haven't noticed and problems. But I just replaced the fuel filler neck seal becuase the biodiesel had turned it to goo. It was sticky and drippy and gross. I don't think the fuel lines will look like that but I would rahter not take the chance.

Diesel Giant · #7 01-28-2006, 08:26 PM

I would guess the MB engineers did not just put that funny looking hose there just to get us to ask questions. They obviously thought it necessary and it would have been cheaper to use a regular hose. The hose is not that expensive so just use it.

sailor15015 · #8 01-28-2006, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD

No I haven't noticed and problems. But I just replaced the fuel filler neck seal becuase the biodiesel had turned it to goo. It was sticky and drippy and gross. I don't think the fuel lines will look like that but I would rahter not take the chance.

Perfectly understandable. I agree with Diesel Giant. That hose must be there for a reason. You may be able to get away with a regular hose but I'd prefer to have what they intended in place. Its one of those "your car, your choice" things. I would like to know why my old pickup eats hoses so fast while I've run B100 in both Mercedes for two years on the same hoses. I think my dad even put viton hoses on the truck and they only lasted a couple of weeks longer. No softening or any visible damage.