MB
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| posted on 17/6/03 at 09:32 PM |
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Copper coolant pipes
I've decided that it is too difficult to fill up my coolant system to the desired level (ford x-flow with radiator lower than engine) so I have
got a fiesta coolant expansion tank.
My problem is finding a way of tapping it into the hoses. Can't find anyone who sells coolant 'T' joiners.
However, I have found some old copper pipe and solder ring connectors which are a perfect size and with the solder ring you even have a lip on the
pipe to stop the hose from slipping off. Perfect and so easy to make!
Is copper okay to use as part of my coolant pipes? I think it should hold up to the pressure and stand up to the heat.
Is this a good idea or just silly?
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 17/6/03 at 09:54 PM |
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i cant see any reason why not. It works in domestic heating systems........unless there is summat freaky with anti freeze.....
atb
steve
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Spyderman
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| posted on 17/6/03 at 11:09 PM |
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You can get an electrolitic reaction between the different metals, but it should not cause any major problems as long as you use a good antifreeze and
change it frequently.
Terry
Spyderman
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kiwirex
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| posted on 18/6/03 at 09:21 AM |
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Had a MkIV spitfire once.
That had a metal pipe down the side of the block think it went to the heater.
Rusted through one night (11:30, an hour from anywhere, as luck would have it - they are NOT comfortable to sleep in).
Replaced that with a copper one.
Lasted at least two years before I flicked it off.
-Greg H
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Danozeman
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| posted on 18/6/03 at 04:49 PM |
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Coolant T piece
Coolant t pieces are available from motor factors.. I know unipart/partco do them...
Why not use plastic pipe??
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ned
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| posted on 19/6/03 at 08:56 AM |
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doesn't copper expand to its original shape (like as in copper plug washers) when put in boiling water?
your cooling system shouldn't boil (we hope ) so should be oki guess.
anyone to correct me?
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
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Sheepy
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| posted on 19/6/03 at 09:27 AM |
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pipes
I've used copper pipes and joints to navigate around my steering box on the bottom outlet from the radiator. we use copper pipes on all of out
rigs at an engine test and development centre with no problems in years, good enough for them, good enough for me. sheepy
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bazwaz
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| posted on 21/6/03 at 04:48 PM |
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I've been using copper pipe on my car for the last 6 years and have had no problems.
Barry.
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blueshift
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| posted on 21/6/03 at 05:13 PM |
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coolant can run up to or over 100 degrees C, as I understand it, so if copper does something odd at that temperature it might be a problem.
can't say I've ever heard of that problem with copper, though.
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Peteff
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| posted on 21/6/03 at 07:19 PM |
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My Escort radiator is made of copper and my Nissan van radiator is made of copper and my Clio diesel radiator was made of copper and my old Mini had a
copper radiator. I have repaired several when stones or similar have damaged them by soldering them and have never had the same part fail again. I
think you are on safe ground.
yours, Pete.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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Marcus
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| posted on 22/6/03 at 07:15 PM |
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I work in the plumbing / heating industry and we use copper pipe to test our plastic pipe. The tests run for 6 months each and temperatures of 120c
are commonplace, with pressures at 6 - 7 bar (80 - 100 psi) with no problems whatsoever - hell our plastic pipe will stand that!!
Don't worry about it.
Marcus
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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GasGasGas
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| posted on 23/6/03 at 05:33 PM |
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copper coolant pipes
copper pipe &/or fittings will do you just fine, if used with an anti-freeze you should find no corrosion problems with cast-iron,steel or
Aluminum even after years of abuse. Like all good petrol heads keep your Anti-Freeze levels up!!!!
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Rorty
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| posted on 27/6/03 at 03:12 AM |
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Copper pipe is fine, just make sure you wash off any flux residue after soldering on any fittings. Some fluxes contain acids which can eat away at
your aluminium bits.
There's nothing like a partially disolved water pump to cause the car to overheat!
Cheers, Rorty.
"Faster than a speeding Pullet".
PLEASE DON'T U2U ME IF YOU WANT A QUICK RESPONSE. TRY EMAILING ME INSTEAD!
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Northy
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| posted on 25/8/03 at 03:15 PM |
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Sorry to drag up an old post, but....
Anyone know if you can get copper fittings ~40mm in diameter?
I'm after:
1. A "T" piece with main part ~40mm diameter, and the "T" bit ~20mm diameter.
2. An ~40mm diameter "U" bend.
Any plumbers out there know if they exist?
Cheers
Graham
Website under construction. Help greatfully received as I don't really know what I'm doing!
"If a man says something in the woods and there are no women there, is he still wrong?"
Built 2L 8 Valve Vx Powered Avon
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Markp
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| posted on 25/8/03 at 07:19 PM |
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I know you can get 35mm copper pipe, and I think I managed to get some a little bigger from a refrigeration engineer (38mm especially made for the
type of appliance.) but I don't think it's something you can buy from your local plumb center.
And if you can it would cost a fair bit.
Cheers
Mark
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eddie
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| posted on 26/8/03 at 12:09 AM |
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if you can get bigger sized copper pipe, it could be quite usefull for making custom fit coolant pipes that go exactly where you want them.
As for the heat issue, i know its been answered, but to put it into perspective, some of you may be old enough to remember a time before petrol
engines, when trains ran on steam, most of the pipework was copper, reason being it was the simplest metal to work, that would stand up to such a
range of temperatures...
If you are looking for stocks of larger diameter copper pipe, the model engineer guys use loads of weird and wonderful materials,as well as less
exotic materials such as copper pipe. see if google will turn up any websites or forums for further help....
[Edited on 26/8/03 by eddie]
Please feel free in advance to: correct, update, ridicule or laugh and point at any comments made by myself in this post....
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suparuss
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| posted on 26/8/03 at 05:35 AM |
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i hate to burst a huge bubble here  , and im probably wrong, but- how does standard copper pipe stand up to the vibrations in a car? i thought the
reason it wasnt used in brake systems was because it cracked under these conditions, hence 'soft' copper is used with nickel or something
or other else mixed in? it would make it a lot simpler for to use copper pipe too so i hope im wrong!
Cheers,
Russ.
[Edited on 26/8/03 by suparuss]
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Mix
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| posted on 26/8/03 at 07:31 AM |
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I think you are refering to 'age hardening' here. In my opinion the diameters of tube and unsupported lengths being discussed here would
not pose a problem. I imagine that they may also be isolated from vibration by the flexible pipework. I'm seriously considering copper (when I
get that far).
Mick
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eddymcclements
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| posted on 3/9/03 at 02:01 PM |
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T-pieces like this one are available from Samco - the turbo nutter brigade use them to
connect devices called "dump valves", whatever they may be. As it happens I couldn't find one as small as I required (32mm) so I
made this one. I believe that 40mm are available, though If you get stuck, let me know.
Cheers,
Eddy
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zetec
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| posted on 3/9/03 at 03:03 PM |
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Life is easy using copper. I needed to make up a couple of pipes which had several connections. A quick trip to the plumbers merchants, tell them what
you need to join and 90% of the time they have something, they even had sizes that I had never seen before. Even if the pipe does stress fracture (and
I don't think it will) you will probably see a slight water leak long before it breaks. I would have spent 3 times the cost if I had not used
copper. Also they can supply plated fittings and pipe which look very good and cost little extra.
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locoboy
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| posted on 3/9/03 at 03:53 PM |
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been using copper since 2000 on my car, no problems. Even soldered in a small outlet at the highest point with a central hearing bleed screw in it to
allow me to completely bleed the system. No vibration worries as it is all supported with ally brackets with a 3mm rubber lining. far better than
hours of scouring the scrappy for the bends you will need, and 905 of the time are just not tight enough or just too long!
Cheers
and happy soldering
Colin
ATB
Locoboy
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andyd
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| posted on 3/9/03 at 07:02 PM |
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What size bore have you used?
And if it's not 15mm or 22mm, where did you get it from?
Andy
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zetec
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| posted on 3/9/03 at 08:30 PM |
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8mm,10mm, 35mm I'm sure there are others. Another way of going up a couple of mm is to solder a end feed fitting on and cut the end off, also
stops coolant pipes blowing off.
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Peteff
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| posted on 3/9/03 at 09:15 PM |
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28mm Yorkshire fittings are spot on for escort rad hose modifications. I got a 90 and a straight to make a new one when my convoluted caterpillar pipe
cracked again.
yours, Pete.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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locoboy
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| posted on 4/9/03 at 07:49 AM |
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35mm and got it from a plumbers next door to my work. i know it cost me a fair whack too.
ATB
Locoboy
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