Can you use regular fuel line instead of a "Cigar hose"

[GregS]

Is there anything special about the "Cigar hose" that would prevent me from replacing it with regular fuel line? When I bought my car it just had regular fuel injection line comming off the filter housing, which I replaced recently to be safe. Never knew what was meant by the "cigar hose" until seeing a picture recently, and now I'm wondering if I shouldn't be using that in particular instead of regular fuel line. The truck repair place sold me the stuff and said it should be fine for diesel fuel.

Greg

[h2odiesel]

You can use any kind of hose you'd like, but Mercedes engineers designed the "cigar hose" to dampen out pulsation in the fuel return line. These pulsation can be strong enough to cause the steel portion of the return line to jump and knock rhythmically against the underbody.

Bob D.

[mcaro]

Greg,

I would get the 'Cigar Hose'. Just as you, when I bought my 300DT the PO used a regular fuel line in place of the cigar hose and the car had what I would describe as a piston slap. After the replacement all I can hear is that wounderful diesel clack.

Mark

I used regular fuel line for a few weeks one time while I was waiting on an order with a cigar hose in it. There seemed to be no detrimental effect. I just felt that the cigar hose must have been there for a purpose, so I put one back on it.

Have a great day,

[jcyuhn]

I'm with Larry on this one. I used regular fuel line for a good year or two on my 123 diesel. Didn't realize the cigar hose was actually *supposed* to be that way - all bulgy and wierd looking.

Couldn't tell any difference between the two. Eventually got myself a replacement cigar hose just to be "correct."

[can-do]

Greetings Greg,

The mercedes designed cigar hose was actually designed to relieve return fuel pressure before returning to the fuel tank. In the scheme of things your engine will run smoother and the chances of vapor lock are non-existant in hot climate if you use the proper return hose.

Charles

[h2odiesel]

Under what circumstances could one ever face the possibility of vapor lock in a line under pressure filled with diesel fuel? Inquiring minds want to know.

Bob D.

[car54]

mine broke and I replaced it with braided stainless steel race line.

no knocking here.

[JohnM]

I have a regular rubber fuel line on mine without a problem. It's on my to-do list to get a cigar hose, but not high on the list.

[billrok]

I used an old piece of regular hose while I was waiting for my new cigar hose to come in at the dealer. Finally changed it out like 4 months later and could detect no difference whatsoever in the operation of my 300SD.