Replaced the injector return lines
 

I bought the line from the dealer and it totalled to 22 bucks. I went out this morning armed with a carpet knife and a pair of pliers. Got it done in about 10 minutes. Hardest part was getting the line on quick enough to keep the diesel comming out all over the place to a minimum. Very easy to do for the most part. I just recommend slicing the old tube when removing it, makes it a LOT easier to get it off. So far there is NO leakage.

Anyone have tips on how to get it all clean around the injectors? I tried using paper towels but I couldn't get it all up.

I replaced the return lines yesterday on my '82 300D, and DITTO on the razor blade. Also, I could not belive the cost of the line.
I paid $19 for 5 feet. Also a good idea to use the OEM end plug, I was surprised to find that it can with a short section of line already installed.

Mine was 22 total (after shipping, it was about 15 before shipping) for 1 meter. I still have about 1 foot left of it. For the end plug I just used my old one (it was actually and extra that was in the glove box since I've owned the car, and I put the old plug into new line and it is now in my glovebox).

So far no odd idle (which I've concluded wsince I've put the new lines on. It usually did it really bad after I put it in park and then turned the AC off, the doesn't do that anymore. Only thing it does is idle a bit rough, which a tap on the accelerator corrects.

Yeah, its expensive, but I haven't found anything else that lasts as long. Regular rubber hose that size leaks in a matter of weeks.

Make sure you have the hose pushed down flush on the injector body, or it can ride up and pop off. You will know right away, of course.....!

I suppose you could use fuel line if you could find any that small!

The residue on the engine will evaporate in a week or two, don't worry about it.

Peter

I think I paid only $3 or $4 for my injector return line. It was from a local parts store, it's the German OEM stuff. I think my total bill was around $8, because I picked up some other fuel line. Do the dealers really charge alot more for the fuel line?

Of course they do! It's MB, they gotta charge you an arm and a leg for everything! "that screw costs 50 bucks" "what's different about it?" "it has that 3 pointed star on it"

But that price for the fuel line doesn't bother me.

I did make sure the lines were flush to the injector body. Very easy to do, anyone could do it (the changing of the lines that is).

I didn't mind the cost. It's still a cheap fix. Plus the dealer through in the end cap for free!

I guess I was lucky..... 1m tubing $5.00 Can.

until the end pug leaks I don't plan on replacing it.
Had a leak on a previous car (Audi 5000 Diesel) happened on a lonely highway in Mexico. Luckily I had a sheet metal screw
that deep thread cut well into the rubber tubing and sealed it perfectly.On another occasion
I turned the end of a piece of tubing and fastened it with wire..... works.

Cheers

The end cap is reusable. Just push it down into the new hose you get. The tech I talked to on the phone said that, and he tells people that when they order the line because the line doesn't come with instructions or a new plug. He said some people have thrown it out not knowing it's reusable. I am guessing that the last time the lines were replaced, a new end plug was used, that is how I have two.

What's a rough # for how long these lines should last?

I replaced mine witht the amber-coloured fuel line from Home Depot. I guess this stuff is intended for lawnmowers. After a couple of months, there are no leaks. This product is a whole lot cheaper and better (IMHO) than the OEM stuff.

Use soap and water to clean the spilled fuel or dab it behind your ears. Some women like the smell of diesl #2.

Paid $4.00 for four feet of the return line. Local MB shop has it in stock bulk. They told me this is one of those annual scheduled replacements. However he said that is overkill. They last for several years without much trouble.

End Plug
 

do you guy fill that section with diesel before you plug it up? Since it's relatively short and it is in a vertical deadend position. if you plug it up right after you install that section then a little bit of air will be trapped in there. right? I usually do that section after I finish the loop, fire it up and shut down. install that section crank it and then plug it up.

May be a little air won't hurt since it's a return line?:confused:

That is correct.