Suitable Replacement For NLA Right Side Heater Hose Through Firewall Grommet?

Started by Squiggle Dog, 16 May 2018, 02:34 PM

ptashek

Quote from: Max-NL on 10 February 2021, 09:58 AM
I wonder how difficult it would be to replicate non-crucial parts like the drain tubes. You would need an internal and external mould to create a negative in which you could pour the medium (silicone maybe?). 3D printing would be helpfull in creating the moulds.

You can just 3D print the tubes directly using TPU, which is reasonably flexible.
Softest available in retail is 60A on the Shore scale, which is about as hard as a car tyre thread.

It would be fine in the engine bay - shouldn't go soft enough to deform to ~150*C (most print at temps between 180*C and 220*C).
I've had 3D printed grommets supporting the radiator in my 280TE W124 for about two years now, still look like the day I printed them.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

Squiggle Dog

I bought some new old stock red silicone drain tubes from Germany and paid over $100 USD in shipping. Oh, well. I'd sure love to be able to get the fuel filler grommets 3-D printed in a material that won't melt when in contact with biodiesel (like Viton). I might end up buying a new grommet (if those are still available) and then making a mold so I can make new ones out of Viton.

Oh, that place in Germany also had a new lower radiator hose for the 300SD. So, I got one to try (I also found a new old stock one on eBay). I'll have several different hoses to try and report and back on.
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

ptashek

QuoteOh, well. I'd sure love to be able to get the fuel filler grommets 3-D printed in a material that won't melt when in contact with biodiesel (like Viton).

TPU, or thermoplastic urethane, has good resistance against diesel, biodiesel, gasoline and ethanol/gasoline. It might swell a little, but won't disolve or loose structural integrity.

I have a fuel filler cap seal made of TPU on my W124 as well, and it's unaffected by the 5% ethanol doped gasoline we get here. Cost me cents to print, instead of several euro from MB.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

Squiggle Dog

Quote from: ptashek on 11 February 2021, 05:52 AM
QuoteOh, well. I'd sure love to be able to get the fuel filler grommets 3-D printed in a material that won't melt when in contact with biodiesel (like Viton).

TPU, or thermoplastic urethane, has good resistance against diesel, biodiesel, gasoline and ethanol/gasoline. It might swell a little, but won't disolve or loose structural integrity.

I have a fuel filler cap seal made of TPU on my W124 as well, and it's unaffected by the 5% ethanol doped gasoline we get here. Cost me cents to print, instead of several euro from MB.

I contacted 3-D printing companies, and they wanted hundreds of dollars to replicate a part. It would probably only cost $50 or so to make a mold myself.
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

raueda1

Quote from: ptashek on 11 February 2021, 05:52 AM
QuoteOh, well. I'd sure love to be able to get the fuel filler grommets 3-D printed in a material that won't melt when in contact with biodiesel (like Viton).

TPU, or thermoplastic urethane, has good resistance against diesel, biodiesel, gasoline and ethanol/gasoline. It might swell a little, but won't disolve or loose structural integrity.

I have a fuel filler cap seal made of TPU on my W124 as well, and it's unaffected by the 5% ethanol doped gasoline we get here. Cost me cents to print, instead of several euro from MB.
The whole 3D printing thing is intriguing.  I know nothing about it.  If you're doing it yourself can you point us in the right direction?  Thanks much,
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0

ptashek

1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

daantjie

Quote from: Squiggle Dog on 09 February 2021, 06:44 PM
Here we go again... I've been needing the firewall drain tubes for a while. Mine crumbled away to nothing and fell off, and the spares I have are all brittle. Finding any for sale is next to impossible, and they are usually at the end of their lives, anyway.


So now what? Unless I find a nice set of used red silicone ones, buying used black rubber ones is pointless because they don't last. Parts becoming no longer available is incredibly frustrating. The upper radiator hose that I tried to order for my roommate's 1991 W126 350SDL is also no longer available, as is the lower radiator hose for my 300SD.

Nice set on ebay right now, jump in!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-benz-genuine-w116-cowl-drain/274688442100?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Da723a6f0d2b74893b0cbf89c3a7f8eb0%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D274688442100%26itm%3D274688442100%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DMercedes-Benz&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A0e3828a8-7230-11eb-a6dc-6ef2a71592fa%7Cparentrq%3Ab70a1a891770aa65789f0b1bffda39cc%7Ciid%3A1
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

Squiggle Dog

Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+