I'm going to try not to make this a Megillah. I have a 1995 E300 Diesel, and his name is Rudolf. I purchased him in 2005, and at the time it was my dream car- still is.

My sentimental attachment to the car is monumental. Its viability as a car, however, is somewhat limited- there is substantial but not cosmetic rust from a body seem issue. The engine has a blown exterior head gasket, although the interior gasket is fine. There are a number of other problems consistent with a 208k mile E300 diesel that has been stored outdoors half the time. I used him as my daily driver from 2005-10, and from 2011-2012. The car was driven infrequently for half of 2010 and 2011, as I was driving cargo vehicles much of the time. In 2012, due to the body seam leak and its other issues, and my need for a cargo-carrying capacity bigger than Rudolf but less than my 13-ton box truck, I replaced him with a 2005 ML350. Rudolf remained in my possession and was driven very infrequently until late 2013, when the battery failed and I couldn't start it. The car sat in my driveway for several years before being moved by flatbed to my parents house, where it sat for several more years.

In 2018 or so, I decided to try replacing the battery, and astonishingly enough, the car more or less started right up. I then ran Rudolf once every two weeks when I was at my parents house, with occasional drives up and down the block, with several apparent issues, including apparent blue smoking and what is very clearly a diesel return line leak- a substantial one. This year my parents have decided to sell the house, so I have to bring it back to my house. I finally registered and insured the car, and fortunately in my state no inspection is required for it; it would surely fail. The car drives down the road just fine, and since I have been driving it more substantially, the blue smoke has disappeared.

The plan is that once the Corona Virus situation is calmed a bit, to replace one of the tires, get the oil changed, and drive it the 50-or-so miles to my house, where it will be driven a couple of times a month to the ice cream shop or similar. I can't bear to part with it, but I also can't afford to spend substantial money on a car with no rational purpose and no chance of being affordably restored to having one. The rust is not a safety issue, but it would be if the car was driven in the rain frequently- and besides it has a substantial water leak into the cabin when underway in the rain.

The big issue of importance is the diesel fuel return line leak. I am 98% sure it is the fuel return lines; it leaks a substantial amount of diesel fuel in a drip-drip-drip fashion, such that a puddle will form beneath the car in a few minutes of standing. I have fixed the problem before- twice- and my dealer charges several thousand bucks to do it. I can't justify that given the car's limited use purpose. I know an independent MB mechanic who would certainly be substantially cheaper, but still not cheap enough, especially considering the economic pain the current crisis is causing me. The question I have is, how dangerous is it? I know the flammability of diesel is fairly limited. Can I safely make the 50-mile drive?

I understand machines fairly well, but my hands are very clumsy and crampy, and I suspect changing the fuel return lines and replacing the intake manifold gasket would be beyond my ability, but I am not completely sure of that. All advice appreciated.

It is a thing. Let this be your lesson in non-attachment for the day and donate it to your local high school auto shop.