Fuel leak from return/overflow braided lines

I am a new member and I just purchased a 1982 240D with 123K miles. It seems to be a pretty well-maintained car with one owner since birth. My problem is that diesel fuel slightly leaks from the #2 injector overflow line near the base where it connects to the top of the injector. #2 in this case is the second injector from the fan blade as viewed from the front. I replaced the braided line with new Mercedes issue stuff and it still leaks slightly. I pulled the #1 overflow line off and it appears that the end which connects to the assembly at the top of the fuel filter was dry. In other words, it did not have fuel in the line. I'm wondering if it is obstructed in some way at the metal intake "widget" that the fuel filter screws into the bottom of. The car runs great, no stalls, smoke, good power. I simply want to stop the drip at a reasonable cost. Any suggestions are much appreciated!

[stevebfl]

I don't think a blockage would cause the thing to be dry.

Fuel should get to any point in those lines from both sides. In other words, if you take the return line loose from where it attaches at the fuel filter and run the car you should have fuel coming out of both the line and where it connected. It should not have pressure (from the filter)though as this is a fuel return line.

If you wish to verify the flow, take the line from the filter as above and plug the filter side. Place the end of the rubber line into a container and run the motor. A small flow of fuel should come out.

To assist in determining the exact leak source, get a can of brake clean and spray off an area. It will leave a very dry area. Watch closely after someone else starts the engine. You might want to do this on a cold motor. I have sprayed that stuff on about everything but the product can vary in composition and they are all very flammable (usually mostly alcohol).

[Edited by stevebfl on 07-07-2001 at 11:38 AM]

Steve: Thanks a lot! I took off all the braided hoses and sprayed everything real well with brake cleaner on a cold engine. I put the braided hoses back on and there are no visible leaks. Thanks again....Al