Pretty funny stories! I'd bet we've all been there one time or another. I've got Crusty back on the road. Been awhile since the house remodel took priority. On the day the flooring crew was here, I sneaked down to the shop and replaced the faulty line. CPP came thru for me and sent a complete new line kit under warranty... even though it's been a year and a half since I bought the parts. Their tech said it was the first time they've heard of this problem but wanted to send a complete kit to be on the safe side. Excellent customer service. FedEx on the other hand could have done a better job. Check out the CPP box clearly marked FRAGILE. Squeezed like an accordion.
Made a test run to our local Lowe's store to return some unused flooring materials and had no issues whatsoever. I cut a short length off the end of the original hose and put a reusable 90 deg. end on it. I'm carrying it as a spare (just like the serpentine belt) in case of a repeat but hope I won't need it.