The fuel has to have "puddled" in that hose(in the "L" turn of it) from the top and "gushed" back due to positive crankcase pressure when engine was started, because it CAN"T pump with gas from the bottom (unless the laws of physics have been suspended). It's possible? enough gas is back flowing into the air cleaner housing from a defective cold start valve/warm up regulator or fuel distributor to partially fill this hose and make it appear to originate there when back pressure blows it out on start-up?

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)