Fuel return lines

[subman60]

I need to replace the braided return lines that run from the injectors back to the fuel filter. Can someone tell me what size they are and is it something I should be able to get from say NAPA or 0'Reillys.
Thanks

[Carpenterman]

You'll have to get it online from a Mercedes parts supplier. Also, I understand you can get it from a VW dealer or, of course, a Mercedes dealer.

It takes at least a meter of line to replace them all.

[subman60]

Thanks, do you know what size the line is ID and OD.

[Carpenterman]

3.2mm I.D.
1.9mm wall

[Charlie Foxtrot]

it's often referred to as 3.5mm x 2mm hose, aka 'yellow stripe' , pn 615.476.03.26. I've never found it at NAPA, O'Reilly's, etc. Only at parts houses specializing in imports, online (ebay has tons of it), and German car dealers.

[Diseasel300]

I've not had luck finding it at any of the shops here either, including Car-Quest who usually has everything. They could special order it, but it was more expensive and took longer than just ordering it from an online vendor.

I keep an extra meter on hand "just in case".

[BillGrissom]

Look for Viton hose on ebay, marketed for M-B and VW diesels. I bought 10 ft for $17 about 3 months ago. Replaced the weeping woven "Made In Germany" hose that was on there (~2 yrs old). So far the Viton hose looks fine. From China, so I was a bit suspicious it wasn't just regular rubber. I run Diesel HPR which is bio-like so perhaps more aggressive.

[86-300sdl]

I've purchased line to repair a leaky return line from motorcycle shops and have heard landscape equipment engine repair shops.

Probably best to get the real deal however in a pinch....

[jay_bob]

The small engine fuel hose (like for weed wackers) will work in a pinch. However it will only last about a year or 2 due to the heat and the diesel fuel attacking it. So you should replace it with the proper hose promptly.

[Diesel911]

Where to buy fuel return hose VW RAbbit
Diesel Injector return lines, where to buy? - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum
The Thread with the part numbers
fuel return line replacement part - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

Injector return hose plastic tube copied from someone else.
any lawnmower/chainsaw repair shop should have hose that will work too.
I bought a 50' box of 1/8" tygon clear fuel hose and the stuff holds up for about 3 years.
cost me like 15.00
The brand I used is Oregon, it is a Tygon fuel hose.
Tygothane (Saint Gobain is the Manufacturer)

[subman60]

Thanks for the info. I'll probably pick up something local to get me by until I can place a larger order online.

[subman60]

The lines seem to be leaking a lot of fuel (leaves a small puddle under the car). Will my son be ok driving it the 2 miles back and forth to school until I can fix it the weekend? I'm thinking the answer is yes but want to make sure.

[Diseasel300]

If my car were leaking that much fuel, I'd do anything to stem the tide. You might consider just some cheap Vinyl tubing from the big box store if you're only counting on it lasting a couple of days until you can do a better repair with the proper stuff. If he's only driving it ~2 miles at a time, the engine isn't even going to warm up.

[Diesel911]

One of our members did say that NAPA has some 1/8" rubber fuel hose that they used. They did not say how long it lasted.

I have used regular vacuum hose that had a wall thin enough to go and that lasted about 2 weeks.
I used some orange colored silicone vacuum Hose and that lasted severa years and never leaked but when it came time to remove it the hose was hard as a rock and had to be cut off.

Some autopart stores have a Lawn Mower maint section and Oregon sells like 6-8 inches of the 1/8" Tygon Fuel Hose in a blister pack. However, to buy a short length is expensive but likely not as expensive as a fuel leak.

[funola]

A few of my Jetta IDI diesel's clear Polyurethane return lines from McMaster just started to leak after about 5 years. They harden over time and fails at the barb (right above it). Getting the Polyurethane hose off the barb is impossible w/o special technique.... it's really rough stuff.

I have a 15 ft roll of black Cohline fabric covered return hose I just replaced them with. Let's see how long these last.