Broke a vacuum line...):
 

While I was changing my clear filter I broke an old vac line off and now the engine doesn't shut off with the key.

How do you replace these old lines??

AA

If you broke the connection off the main vacuum hose, you have to replace the entire line:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ41TH021LRS&year=1985&make=MB&model=300-DT-001&category=All&part=Booster+Vacuum+Hose&appChassis=_any

Don't feel too bad, I've done it twice. :o

I'll have to post a picture. I cracked a tiny little tube like thing . not a hose.

Until you can replace the whole line, You can repair it by cutting out the break and repair it with a piece of rubber vacuum line. Your car should shut off then.

Depending on what color the line is,(if you want to keep it looking stock) I robbed the vacuum lines out of a junked car. The lines inside the car usually aren't brittle like the ones under the hood.

Is it just a tube that runs between two components, like the supply line to whatever? In that case you should be able to pick something up at your local parts store.

You can fix that for less than it costs. Get some fuel hose and some T-fittings. Cut the line off of the fittings on the end and hose clamp the fuel line to it. Alternatively (if you really want to be bling'in), get some silicon vacuum hose instead.

Or, is this under SUPER VACUUM? Will it collapse SVH or fuel hose?

I keep a coil of replacement vacuum line around in a couple of sizes just for such an emergency.

This line is readily available. Use rubber line to join these repair pieces.

My 300D from 1980 has way too much of this old brittle stuff in it.

Vacuum hose and tee fittings work for the small lines, but if you break the connections on the main vacuum line you really need to replace it with the correct part. The vacuum pump produces 20+ inches of vacuum, it would collapse a plane rubber hose.

Craig, what kinda plastic is that line made of? I'd like to put a tee in the line so I can permanently install a vacuum gauge to monitor vacuum pump health. The gauge could mount on the inner fender, I don't need to see it while driving. If the wall thickness of the plastic line would allow it, I could even drill/tap in a fitting but I don't want to break it and have to buy a new one for fifty bucks (as you know).

Jeremy

I don't know exactly what it is, but it's very hard/stiff. I have not kept any old ones to cut up. I don't think I would mess with it, it's easy to connect a vacuum gauge to the small line that leads to the door locks. I would just unplug a small line and connect a gauge when I wanted to check the pump performance. If you want to experiment, try getting one from the junkyard.