I can't quite make out your description, but on my '88 190E there is a molded hose that attaches the tank to the manifold that connects to the fuel pumps, filter, and accumulator. This molded hose has an integral smaller hose that attaches to the fuel accumulator, so if the accumulator diaphragm cracks the leaking fuel will short back to the big hose preventing an external leak.

My fuel accumulator failed a few years ago, and I tested it by removing the small hose from the accumulator, placing it in a plastic bottle then turned on the ignition, which briefly energized the fuel pump, and it leaked fuel.

The symptoms were intermittent long cracking that became more frequent with time. I documented the problem in a a couple of threads I started including photos of a destructive analysis of the accumulator including photos of the cracks in the diaphram that cause it to leak

Duke