I had a question with regard to the clear or somewhat opaque fuel lines that are connected from the injection pump to the main fuel filter . They are fastened by banjo fitting. The ones on my 240D and 300SDL are quite brown and you can't see through them any more. Is there a certain time that these lines must be replaced? I've looked through the maintenance manual and don't see any mention of it. Mine are not leaking but being that they are made of plastic I was wondering if they are to be replaced often. Mine appear to be original.


Herb
'82 240D
'87 300SDL

The only time that I've replaced them is when some one broke them.

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I noticed the same thing on my 1987 SDL. Posted a question here but didn't get many replies. Was at the local MB dealership and asked about these lines. The parts guy told me that they are only available in a kit along with replacement banjo fittings. He also told me that the fuel line material (the clear plastic) has to be Heat Shrunk in place. That is why there are no clamps on any of the fittings! I've seen alot of different engines both gas and diesel and this was new to me, I can appreciate the value of being able to see fuel in the lines but mine are so dark the fuel can't be seen. Mine seem mighty stiff but maybe that's the way they always where?T hey just don't look "good". I've decided to hold off any replacement for now but I keep some hose and clamps in my possibles box in the trunk. Hey Doc do they break often? Regular? As stiff as mine are I would think they could be broken when your doing some wrenching in the area. Thanks and good luck.

Greetings,

I can't see any reason to replace these lines unless they are leaking or causing air to enter your fuel system. The brownish color you see is simply the rubber hose absorbing the elements of the fuel, which is quite raw compared to gasoline. I'd think that less than a years use on new lines would have the same appearance.

Charles

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"Tell me and I will listen, Teach me and I will learn, Show me and I will accomplish, Involve me and I will succeed."
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I've replaced one of them on my 220D with standard fuel line and a couple clamps. Not worth trying to get the original, as it isn't available anymore as an aftermarket and would have to be special ordered. The 240D parts were, but that was a couple years ago.

They will eventually get brittle and break if moved -- if you need to remove the IP or filter housing, plan on removing them carefully and be prepared to replace them.

Peter

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I would expect them to get brittle over time, due to engine heat. Probably no chance of successfully removing them once they are a few years old. It is nice having the clear lines because air bubbles in the fuel can be very quickly diagnosed.

So then it's safe to say that these plastic lines last the life of the engine unless disturbed? From what I've read, these lines aren't replaced on a regular basis.

I know mine are brittle and if I move them I know they'll break.

Herb
'82 240D
'87 300SDL

Ive never had to replace them, but when I do, I'll just buy black rubber hose, or to go with my current theme, stainless steel braided hose for alchohol resistance as I'm burning biodiesel. It just looks purdy!

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Well, it never fails...you go in to do one job and you end up causing yourself to have do do another.

BillyBob, I can say the adage is true, "The clear fuel lines will last a life time unless disturbed."

I "disturbed" mine while installing a new primer pump, so now I am trying to order some new ones. The two part numbers I got which included the fittings on each end were 615 070 56 32 and 615 070 40 32. I was told I would also require (8) Seals # 007 603 01 21 11. My local shop will have to order them. I have heard stories of having to soak the ends in boiling water to get them to fit.

I'll let you know how it goes.....

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The last time I was at the nearest "pull a part" place I grabbed a set of these babies - along with the banjo fittings.

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Jim

I have a set of these hoses ready to install too on my '82 240D. The sales person at the local MB dealership said nothing about seals. BUt it sounds like I'll have to get some seals then in order to do this right. I was wondering what are the seals made of?



Herb
'82 240D
'87 300SDL

What kind of "seals" and where would they go?

Originally the seals for the banjo fittings are aluminum washers (thin and very narrow). You can use aluminum or copper to replace the original seals. Do not over-tighten the banjo fittings.

Good Luck!
Tom

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Greetings all,

Just to clarify some of the folks out there scratching their heads wondering where there could possibly be seals at on the clear fuel lines. There are no seals on the clear lines but on the banjo fitting there is. As mentioned in a previous post the clear lines are heated in boiling water to cause it to be pliable during installation. Phil at Part Shop can give you the p/n for the clear line by the meter I think it is, but it's not real cheap to buy. Others have resorted to using translucent small diameter water line with clamps, and that one will work as well. I think the line will also respond to heated water, causing it to shrink around the fitting, but cools rapidly so the heat source can't be far from the car. I have this type of line installed on one Benz and it seems to work fine and is resistant to color change more so than the more rubber content MB hoses.

Charles

__________________
"Tell me and I will listen, Teach me and I will learn, Show me and I will accomplish, Involve me and I will succeed."
'84 300SD 256,000 Gold on Brown (Mileage Award)
'86 300E 246,000 Blue on Tan

Thanks Tcane for the info.

Is there a certain torque value for these banjo fitting bolts?

Herb
'82 240D
'87 300SDL