There is some possibly good news in all this. Maybe the rest of the plastic piping in the engine bay is ok...

While recovering the metal fittings from the plastic hose, I was surprised to discover some of the plastic was actually in pretty good shape. Whereas the majority of the hose was so fragile I could crush it between thumb and forefinger, the parts of the plastic hose not exposed to coolant were actually still quite tough.

I'm too afraid of failure to squeeze the fuel return line in my fingers, though. Anyone else brave enough?

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