Can I use a small diameter heater hose to replace the one that goes from the top of the radiator to the expansion tank? I want to do this until I can get the proper one with the additional tubing/shield that is attached.

I heard hissing and spitting noises under the hood yesterday after a good run. Found the leak, it's the hose, and not the expansion tank.

The hose is finally worn out. It did this last year and tightening it helped, but not this time.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Should be OK as long as it can withstand system pressure. If it's truly a "heater hose" then you should not have problems.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Use SAE 30 R6 fuel hose, which will be easier to find in small diameter (5/16) than heater hose.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Yes, I just ordered the real hose- MB has gone to a bulk hose also. It's 8mm ID. You can transfer the anti-chaffing sleeve if you like. Factory hose is $25.


M

There's nothing there tho chaff really. The important thing to do is support the long plastic nipple on the rad so when you lean on it, it doesen't break on you. Mine broke and I had to cut it off and tap a 5/16 1/8 NPT brass barb fitting in it's place.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Thanks guys! When I pull the hose back a little, the hissing stops. The anti chaff sleeve seems to support the hose a bit as well. I may just buy a longer hose and run it along the front and along the inner fender well, using tie wraps to support it.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K