Where to find clear fuel line
 

Hi, 1986 190D non turbo here.
I am trying to find clear fuel line and can't seem to locate any.
Where did you buy yours?
Thanks.

I ordered from McMaster-Carr and rebuilt the lines myself using the original metal end fittings. This is what I ordered:

Hard Nylon Plastic Clear Tubing for Fuel, 3/16" ID, 1/4" OD, Part number 8359K14, 25 ft

Vibration-Resistant Pinch Clamp, Tight-Seal, 13/64" x 0.020" Band, 15/64" to 9/32" ID, Part number 52545K38

I used a heat gun to gently heat the tubing to mold it to the proper shape. This particular size is for the boost line from the back of the intake manifold to the changeover valve on the firewall. There are many other sizes for the various fuel lines but I can't find the part numbers at the moment.

I hope this helps

Cheers
dankly

Thank you.

Good info. New gasoline cars use nylon fuel tube, so I guess diesels too since less aggressive. For re-work, they suggest holding the end of the new tube in boiling-hot water to soften it, slide it over the rippled nipple fitting and let it cool. No clamp needed. All replacement tube I've seen at auto parts is black, but as long as nylon the clear "should work" and is likely what the OE tube is.

Don't use just any clear tubing. People have found that Tygon tubing swells and softens when used for injector return hose. Same for silicone hose. The only ones which resist diesel I've heard of, esp. bio-diesel, are Viton, nylon, and perhaps PEX. You can get 1/8" Viton hose for injector return. For larger 5/16" fuel hose, you can get "for bio-diesel" rubber hose which I think has a Viton liner. Goodyear Barricade is one brand. I used it around the lift pump (w/ clamps) and has held up fine for years, but isn't transparent if you desire that.

Thank you so much! My lines are totally solid brown, as it looks like most OE lines are? Were they originally supposed to be translucent?

I found this photo online and I'd love to do this! Do you know what sizes these 3 lines are that are around the fuel filter in the engine bay? I'm about to do my injectors and I'd love to replace all the engine bay lines with clear ones. Any help would be super super appreciated!!! Thank you thank you!!

I recently purchased this hose, looks to be of good quality. Tygon sells it in various ID and OD sizes.....


https://www.amazon.com/Tygon-F-4040-Lubricant-Tubing-Length/dp/B000PHF06C/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2GRHTLAG074S8&keywords=tygon+fuel+line+1%2F8+id&qid=1643665264&sprefix=tygon+fuel+li ne%2Caps%2C402&sr=8-6

This stuff seems very good for the smaller lines
https://www.lowes.com/pd/EZ-FLO-1-8-in-Inner-Diameter-x-10-ft-Polyurethane-Fuel-Hose/1000365069

For the 1/4"ID polyurethane I buy the blue motorcycle stuff online.
Might be too flexible for some people but I like it, lasts a LONG time, never has failed.
Also relatively cheap. Only thing is, after several years it gets darker and not so clear anymore.

I bought some recommended tygon stuff from mcmaster, 3 different sizes. After a year or less they ALL got soft and started breaking, causing big hassles. I think biodiesel destroys it quick, but even just the heat too.

I’ve had really good luck using this yellow Tygon as injector return line. I’ve been using it a few years. It outlasts the textile jacketed OEM style line and it outlasted some biodiesel viton I bought. Granted I don’t use bio.

I would be careful as all Tygon is not created equal. I got free Tygon lab grade tubing from my old work. In gas it would yellow and get brittle and on injectors it would just soften, melt then slip off the barbs. So when I say Tygon is good I mean the yellow stuff used on two stroke garden equipment. I bought it from China and replumbed all my injector returns.

Somebody here turned me to it a decade ago. Good stuff. Probably too flexible for the clear hard fuel lines on the intake side.

I used a heat gun to gently heat the tubing to mold it to the proper shape.

Sgnimj96, Have you used the line from Lowes that you mention above? I was thinking of trying it for the lines on my screw in fuel filter....the ones connected to the barbed fittings.

Yes. I put them on my vw idi injector returns as well.
They seem to be holding up very well. Had to pop one off to do some work,
put it back on after (w/o cutting it) , no leaks.

I purchased some of the 1/4"ID polyurethane blue motorcycle fuel line that you spoke of. I put it on the barbed fittings leaving the spin on fuel filter. I didn't use any clamps just slipped it over the barbs like the original 36 year old line that I took off. It seems tight and of good quality. The hose does have a little flexibility but not enough for kinks if it is cut to a proper length.

I found this stuff on Amazon. I’ll try it out and report back.

Beduan 8 mm OD Pneumatic Air Line Tubing Nylon Air Hose for Fluid Transfer or Air Brake System 32.8ft (Clear)

ok I got the Amazon Beduan hose in. The old OE hose was still pretty good. It was just brown. The old hose is Mecano Bundy PA12 8x1mm hose.

The new stuff is Chinese Nylon6 TKC 8x1mm 3.4MPa -40 to 120C

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...830fb6dd95.jpg


It was really hard to slip on. Very stiff. Given what a royal PITA this was I think I'll stop after doing it to my 300SD. My 300D has brown tubing but I think it is actually still good. Maybe if I'm really bored I'll change it out. At this point I realize it is just a cosmetic improvement on both my cars.

Tips for getting it on. take all the banjo bolts off the car. Clamp them in a bench vise and use a heat gun to gently heat the tubing and slip it on. It is the proper size and it wiggles on with some force when hot then heat sets for a great seal.

I got lazy and tried to do it on the car. Big waste of time. Take everything off and get it in a vise. It requires quite a bit of encouragement with wiggling and a heatgun. Heat gently. I burned two feet of tube on the high setting of my HF tools cheapo heat gun. It gets bubbly and I believe the tube got weakened so I started over twice.

No worries, this tube cost me $13 shipped for 32 feet. I have a ton. I can share it at the socal GTGs if you need some. I'll toss it in my trunk.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...311ebe680b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c48e9cbe80.jpg

I'll have to drive it around and see if it lasts. I think it is the right stuff. I'll have to look up Nylon6. I could have bought PA12 which I think stands for polyamide 12. This Nylon6 stuff was supposed to be for air brakes so I think it should take diesel and moderately high temps.

Clear Hose & So. Cal. GTG
 

Looks good to me ! .

When will we have another GTG ? .

I miss Rich's, they were always fun .