I was wanting to check to see if anyone knew of very small hose clamps. I specifically am interested in something, that would work for hoses O.D. of 1/4-3/8 inches. I am wanting something for the vacuum hoses on the Mercedes. I didn't know if small wire clamps existed that small or not?

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Rebe

Older MBs have hose clamps on rubber vacuum lines.

For example - https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/HC8169-M249&SuperCat=Y&SVSVSI=123.htm

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

If it is for vacuum hoses, you are probably OK just using the standard rubber connectors. You can even splice the original vac hoses with them.

They make small spring type clamps. Would work OK for Vacuum and even low pressure fuel line applications.
NAPA likely sells them and I would expect eBay has them. Be careful of the working range of the clamps.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

For rubber vacuum hose on most cars, clamps are generally not used unless the hoses see turbo pressure. As noted, the spring clamps have a small working range.

For soft non reinforced rubber hose, zip ties are just fine.

There are a couple of small real twisty vacuum hoses under the connection panel on top of the valve cover under the black cover on my 240. I know that they are not available today. I tried tie wraps, but my smallest are to thick to fit in there. I thought there might be some very small wire type ones? I might just use some wire strand and pliers...like a bailing wire fix. I was seeing a little smoke coming up from the under the cover from my tester.

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Rebe

I recall seeing a small pack of 6 of such clamps in the help section of autozone/oreilly etc.

Dont recall the diameters though but they surely were vacuum hose tiny sized.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

These are what was on my 6.2 diesel Blazer, be careful of your finger tips too, they can be wicked.

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"I applaud your elaborate system of denial"

Oetiker clamps go as small as 6mm. I couldn't imagine clamping anything smaller.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

If your hoses are leaking at the connections perhaps they are so dried out that they will break anyhow at your clamps...?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

On those NLA 3/2 valve molded vacuum hoses I ended up using a little bit of RTV carefully applied around the base of the plastic valve nipple to aid in the seal. I think it's worked pretty well - in fact outlasted the actual replacement 3/2 valve innards which crapped out in only a year.

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Andrew
Montclair, NJ
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1982 300D Turbo
120k
Petrol Blue Green

Oetiker are great, I love that it wont slice your skin if you accidently brush against it.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

^^^This^^^

Why not just replace the vacuum connectors with fresh rubber? The new rubbery vacuum lines have so much bite on them that it's practically impossible to remove them without really yanking.

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

The Oetiker clamps are ok. I never have used any myself. They would not work however. A small zip tie will not fit under the hose and the metal base. The only thing I feel would work would be a wire spring like clamp. There are two vacuum hoses there with multiple bends in them, and it is a very tight place to alter anything. The other hoses under the cover are not that case to deal with no problem.

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Rebe

Oetiker clamps are one use clamps that would have to be cut off to remove them or you need to spread out the crimp.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel