Whats this piece of rubber on fuel assembly for?

Hey guys. Working on a 92 ford escort and pulled its pump to find a piece of ripped rubber clamped at the end of whwt appears to be a
The return line. Can any one tell me what its for and if its replaceable?

Ive attached image and circled the part

I always kind of figured that was there to keep fuel in the line when you turn the car off.
It looks like any pressurized fuel would overcome the little diaphragm, but under rest it would close up.

Now that I have to explain it to someone else, I'm not so sure I'm right, lol!

It might just keep crap out of the tube to ensure that the return line doesn't become blocked in the tank.

Noah thanks for the fast reply. What do you think I can replace it with? I doubt AutoZone or local auto parts store would have this part but I'm sure I could wrap it with somethin. but if it's designed to expand under pressure and close while not under pressure then I could end up screwing it up. here's the torn piece from the pump.

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you man.
You can try the parts store, amazon, junk yard...
We pull the sending unit out of every tank, so I've got heaps of fuel pumps hanging around. Your local salvage yard may be doing something similar.

If it's definitely the return I wouldn't worry about it. You may even find it's just to keep the noise of the fuel being pumped back in down. Just my opinion.


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It looks to me like a duckbill check valve. I am betting that the very tip is slotted to allow fuel to flow into the tank but cannot backup the other direction into the tube.

Thanks