Actually, two things broke. I have no idea why the designers chose to run so many vacuum lines and such in the immediate vicinity of the oil filter. I believe both of these (one of them certainly) broke as I was trying to move the lines aside to get the cover off and back on.

First, the big one. There's a vacuum line going straight from, I assume, the vacuum pump and going to the brake booster. On that is a plastic fitting that allows other vacuum lines to come off of it. The nipple going to the line that actuates the engine shut-off solenoid broke right off. I found this out by the key not shutting the engine off, and simply traced the line 'till I found the break. "Sealed" it with my hands, and the engine shut off. What's the plastic fitting called, so I can go replace it? It looks pretty old and brittle anyways...

Second, there's a line going from the top of the injector pump around the back of the valve cover into one of the manifolds (I would assume the intake manifold). Here, it looks like it was a plastic line, and it broke at the fitting on the injector pump. What exactly is this line? And how can I replace it? It may be safe to just remove the bad part and hook it back in place at the first good part (I believe there's enough slack in the line), but chances are all of that plastic's that brittle, so I'd just as soon replace it all in one fell swoop.

Thoughts? Comments? Thanks in advance!

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

That second line is the boost signal line which runs to the ALDA. If it breaks, the performance of your car will be that of a non-turbo 300D. Replace the break with some tight fitting rubber hose. More practical than replacing the entire plastic line.

On the main line coming from vacuum pump to brake booster, I think you have to replace that whole line.
Broke mine as well, that plastic doesn't bend much after 20 years. Believe the line was $20 or $30. Not cheap for a piece of plastic!

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Dave
1995 C280
1999 Triumph Daytona 955I - my speed fix.
1982 300TD - Gone, but not forgotten.

You do have to replace the whole line.

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Jim

Okay, hose is ordered from Fastlane. $30 is much better than $65 (that's how much the Benz dealer wanted). This is actually my first Fastlane order. Won't be my last...

Phil and Fastlane are great! I had a problem with a part and we discussed it briefly and he sent a new one out right away, of course requesting the old one back when it comes off the car.