Where to buy the long pressurized fuel line that runs under the 230SL?

[Ricardo]

On my 1966 230SL, there is a small leak in the 10mm dia. long pressurized fuel line that runs under the car. It is leaking slightly at the rear-most rubber grommet/support (those rubber supports with the 3 holes, one for this leaking 10mm fuel delivery pipe, one for the 8mm fuel return line, & one for the ~4.75mm brake line). The 8mm fuel return line seems to be available (its not leaking but might as well change it too), however I cannot find the long pressurized fuel delivery line: Does anyone know if/where it is available?  I prefer to buy it preformed in the correct length and with the correct ends so that it is just a bolt-on operation. Also can anyone confirm the correct part number of this item. I suppose non-original 10 mm line could be measured out and self-fabricated to replace it, but I would prefer to avoid that if possible.

[Pawel66]

For 113042, up to VIN  042 013014 I see the line from fuel pump to fuel filter


1. A 113 476 09 26 - the hose pump to solid line, dealers, ca $35

2. A 113 476 03 01 (previously A1134760001)  - the long metal line, up to chassis 042 013014, available at dealers for ca $250; there is another pn, not available, A 113 470 01 65, with description also "up to chassis 013014", which I think is a mistake and it should be "as of chassis 0130015".

3. A 111 476 17 26 - the hose from solid line to filter, this pn is for chassis up to 013014 and is not available; the part number as of this chassis number and one that is available is A 108 476 00 26, dealers, ca $55

4. A 113 476 05 01 return line, up to chassis 013014, dealers, ca $250; A 113 470 02 64 return line, as of chassis 0130015, dealers, ca $300

[Cees Klumper]

It's not difficult, I found, to bend a new line from standard material that typically comes in a large roll. Shipping already-formed line like this is expensive of course due to the pieces' length. The material might cost $50 as opposed to dealer price of seemingly around $600. The only additional thing to do if you DIY is to flare the ends, but tools to do that are also relatively inexpensive.

[Ricardo]

Thanks Pawel, my serial number is over 013014, so from what you mention the part is number A113 476 03 01, which is the NLA part. But does anyone know the difference between that long pipe and the still-available long pipe, part no. A113 470 01 65? If it is only a slight difference in shape, perhaps I can use a pipe-bender to adjust?

If not, seems I will need to fabricate the pipe as Cees suggests, but if so, what kind of 10 mm metal pipe to use, can anyone specify the metal composition either closest to the original long fuel line, or if modern technology gives us stronger pipe material, what metal composition is recommended nowadays, assuming it looks visually like the original metal?

[Pawel66]

I would check the fitting you have on the filter side - that may be a bit more difficult to make perhaps. I see that e.g. SLS sell those pipes with the fitting, the rest to be bent as needed, for USD 50. For the US I am sure you can find it in the US (Buds? authentic?).

I also think that the one for early VIN would fit (all of them have the note "adopt during assembly" ), but you wanted an exact fit, that is why I provided numbers and VINs.

[Ricardo]

Thanks again Pawel, SLS' parts diagram shows item [50] (see link below), which they call "Gasoline feed line (pre-run) 230-280SL", it is now 102 euros, SLS Artikel-Nr. 247032; Is this the part that you are referring to?:

https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/de/mercedes-230-280sl-w113/47-tank

[Pawel66]

Yes, that is the one I referred to. I am just afraid of shipping cost, that is why I suggested the US source.

[Ricardo]

Thanks once more Pawel, I will check the end-fittings to be sure they will fit with the replacement pipe and then I will have to uncoil /make bends as necessary, as SLS, Buds and apparently others ship it coiled.

Meanwhile however, I just found that Niemoeller lists the early part, apparently totally pre-formed, though much more expensive at 693 euros, see no. 87 in this link:

https://www.niemoeller.de/en/w113/w113/B042/471/

So my last question: Does this appear to be the same part as you referred to as part no. A 113 476 03 01 (previously A1134760001) ?

[Pawel66]

Yes, so it looks. Niemoeller use Daimler early part numbers very often. Price is horrifying for a piece of pipe...

I do not have 230SL, maybe there was something peculiar about this particular part there - 230SL owners would have to chime in.

But I would also encourage to see what you actually have in the car - chances are, if someone was there some time already, that the hose was replaced, so the fitting was replaced, etc.

Is your fuel hose line-filter new? If not, this is the target for replacement. I would buy it from MB dealer (I always buy rubber and hoses from MB) and see what fitting I have in the new hose. Then make sure the fitting from the line you intend to buy fits it.

[Benz Dr.]

It's not that much, but the main fuel line running from rear to front of your car is larger than the return line going back to your tank. I suspect that this smaller return line also aids in keeping system fuel pressure up. So, don't use identical sizes for both lines.

[dirkbalter]

10mm for the feed line and 8mm for the return line. The fittings / threads are different too. M16x1.5 and M14x1.5.

[Pawel66]

So are part numbers, certainly.

[merrill]

hi
years ago, probably 13,  i ordered all 3 of the lines that run front to back from my local dealer via my vin number.

all 3 (brake, hi and low pressure fuel lines) showed up coiled.

i just had to carefully un coil , bend using the originals as a template and install.   at that time i purchased new clamps to hold the lines to the underside of the car.

not a hard job just time consuming.

when the lines were installed i cleaned and clear coated everything to prevent corrosion.

[mrfatboy]

A fellow member, Tom Kizer, did a nice write up on straightening coil tubing. Maybe it will help. See attached file.

[Ricardo]

Thanks for all the help, so basically the original pressure pipe for my '66 230SL is NLA and I need to buy a coil of 10mm fuel pipe and form it into shape, which seems feasible after reading the preceding helpful post. So can anyone suggest the best metal fuel pipe material that looks most like the original: either aluminum is available or a copper-nickel alloy. Stainless steel would not look original and anyhow seems too difficult to bend. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[merrill]

hi

have you checked sls and neimoler?

https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/mercedes-230-280sl-w113-/47-fuel-tank

https://www.niemoeller.de/en/w113/

george at authentic classics may be able to help you
https://www.authenticclassics.com/230SL-250SL-280SL-Convertible-113-Chassis-s/1.htm

or K&K maybe...
https://www.kkmfg.com/113catalog.php

[Cees Klumper]

I was going to go with plain aluminum tubing for my Lancia Fulvia, but the forum experts there strongly suggested copper/nickel alloy. I did try my hand at the aluminum, and it was super-easy to form and bend by hand. Have not tried it with copper/nickel, but will likely end up getting rolls of the correct diameter, from e.g. Summit Racing:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-220219-25