Urgent help required - Leaking Fuel Line

[SL Project]

Help required identifying the small fuel line in the pic, not the larger one, shiny with fuel.

Car is 1996 SL 320. The position is roughly above the exhaust. Slightly to left (nearside) of the diff.

Is this the fuel return pipe, is it a high pressure pipe that will ease as the pressure drops?

Or, is this a pipe just slowly draining the fuel tank?

Yes it has a pin hole in the steel pipe. No I cannot push the rubber hose any further up to cover it. The outside of my house and my goodself stink of unleaded.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Very hard to see. Looks like the main supply line from the tank. I'm pretty sure left side is supply.

 

[SL Project]

Thanks. About an hour after the car was switched off, the hole stopped leaking fuel, so I guess whatever pressure there was in the line had dissappated.
The parts diagram doesnt really tally with what I was looking at underneath. Be good to confirm which one it is so I can obtain the correct replacement part.
Fitting it will be another story.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Sorry, big one is supply, small one is return which will eventually bleed down to 0psi. If you post a clearer picture I might be more confident

 

[Uncle Benz]

Agree, it’s a terrible picture. In my mind the fat rubber pipe comes down to the pump. Metal line must be a return, but honestly I’m working from memory and it’s not good anymore. Must be a 129?

 

[SL Project]

Yes it is a 96 129 SL320. Sorry about the pic. not much room underneath, right hand holding torch, left hand hold camera, all the while trying to avoid leaking petrol running into my hair....

 

[alexanderfoti]

I am thinking the same.

 

[SL Project]

Well the pipe is not avaailable to buy new anymore... and I am not sure a repair will suffice so I will have to fashion a new one of a suitable pipe material.

Any suggestions? Copper, Steel, but perhaps something that doesnt rust this time.

 

[LostKiwi]

Cut the damaged section out and replace with braided fuel line?

 

[SL Project]

Ooo good idea... thank you Kiwi.

 

[ajlsl600]

Depending on size u might be able to get compression fittings, wud not be a fan of jubilee clips on braided pipes.

 

[SL Project]

Well I bodged it with some new fuel hose and some jubilee clips... it is holding for now, but for how long I wouldn't want to say.

A whole world of pain with exhaust and subframe drop to address the 'proper' way.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Don’t use copper. I’ve recently had to deal with a 190E 2.3 16v which had a piece of copper pipe let into the fuel line. Green dust was blocking everything! Cost a fortune to put right