Biodiesel-compatible CLEAR fuel hose? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Diesel Dan · #1 10-15-2006, 11:39 PM

I've seen in several threads people recommend getting clear fuel hose to help diagnose the source of air leaks in the fuel system. Can someone clarify exactly what type of clear hose to get, and where it can be located? Can ALL the fuel hoses be replaced with the clear stuff? Even the injector return hoses? Is there a risk of melting problems due to heat from the engine, or heated WVO? What about biodiesel fuel? Can the hoses hold up without degradation? And what is the material - polyurethane? Can it just be purchased at Home Depot, or does it have to be specifically "fuel hose" from an auto parts supplier?

Thanks!

greasybenz · #2 10-16-2006, 02:28 AM

here ya go.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=154855

http://www.procycle.us/main/fuel_hose.htm

EDIT:

read post #68

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=125520&page=5

PanzerSD · #3 10-16-2006, 02:38 AM

I love Clear hose, it looks better than black hose. now, I have a question also about clear hoses....

At my local Canadian tire they sell universal fuel hose, which is clear, and they say right on the backage that it's chemical resistant and good to at least 100PSI. at 170*C, now I know i'll never have 100 PSI going thru that. and then I look closer and it says it's VINYL hose....

is VINYL diesel safe? it won't swell or erode with diesel fuel????
I really wanna know because I really wanna use this tubing....

greasybenz · #4 10-16-2006, 11:08 AM

vinyl should be ok for diesel but it isnt great with heat....trust me ive used it. If the engine to warm it will melt the line and squeeze it flat chocking the car of fuel. How do i know this? trust me ive tried it

vstech · #5 10-16-2006, 11:30 AM

I got neon yellow clear tubing in a 50 foot roll for them, it was from a small engine repair shop, and it has held up great for the last 6 months.
it makes it much easier to know when the injectors are bled correctly.
I kinda like the way the greenish yellow tubing looks going accross all the injectors.
I plan to replace it with MB correct tubing once I have all the kinks worked out of my car. but that could take 10 years...
no idea on the pressure lines clear tubing source. and FORGET replacing the steel injector lines with clear or plastic or anything but steel.... NO WAY!
John

Old300D · #6 10-16-2006, 01:08 PM

Somehow I doubt vinyl will support suction, so it is not particularly suited for pre-lift pump. And you would want the reinforced stuff post-lift pump.

I use viton and a clear pre-filter for all my pre-lift pump flexible connections. I am looking into using opaque polyethylene for the rigid lines post lift pump, as I am fitting a 2 micron electrically heated permacool filter in place of the factory secondary filter.

PanzerSD · #7 10-16-2006, 07:25 PM

I was thinking Vinyl for return lines and the other clear ones on the IP. they're getting brittle...

Old300D · #8 10-18-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got_The_Benz

I was thinking Vinyl for return lines and the other clear ones on the IP. they're getting brittle...

I would not use vinyl for the hard lines on the IP. Those lines must withstand 15+ psi. Soft vinyl will break. I am going to be trying hard, opaque polyethylene -- got it at Home Despot. It will support the pressure, but I will test it for biodiesel compatibility and temperature.

WD8CDH · #9 10-18-2006, 03:39 PM

I think that the hard clear (probably brown by now) lines on the IP are nylon 6. I found what seems identical from McMaster.

Old300D · #10 10-18-2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WD8CDH

I think that the hard clear (probably brown by now) lines on the IP are nylon 6. I found what seems identical from McMaster.

Yes, that is undoubtedly the right stuff to use.

PanzerSD · #11 10-18-2006, 08:21 PM

well, I have the vinyl lines on already for the RETURN lines and they seem to be doing really well, I don't have them looped as much as the old braided lines so they won't collapse..and they hold up to the heat pretty well, I also have clear vinyl replacing the clear (read brown) lines from the secondary filter to the IP and primer pump....I still have my old return lines incase they DO fail, but I'm beginning to doubt it...

scott19_68 · #12 10-19-2006, 04:45 PM

How about PTFE? It sounds like it would work great for a bio-diesel (high chemical resistance and ability to withstand high temperatures): link

Anyone have experience with this stuff?