Greetings, I was wondering if copper tubing is suitable for use on
transmission cooling lines, brake lines,power steering all I have ever seen is rubber hoses and steel lines. Is it that copper cannot do the job or is it a cost thing.
Was wonderin cause I gotta replace some lines on my truck and being a plumber I thought it might look cool using copper instead.
thanks
Lui

 

Good question Lui, I don't know why it wouldn't work, but maybe someone else can shed some light on the subject.

I do know that the steel is not a thin wall.

John

 

I've used copper for coolant and fuel and had no problems.

 

unless they can stand a lot of pressure I would not use copper for power steering. While I was in the Navy we lost a power steering line on a work truck. we needed the truck and instead of waiting it took the old line to the hydrolics shop they made a 1500 psi line and it came apart when it was used next we made a 3000 psi line and it held. by the way both of these lines were leak and pressure checked prior to installation. copper should work for everything else as they are all low pressure. It would even work for the return line on the power steering.

 

They apparently don't allow copper for LP or propane on vehicles anymore because of the danger of cracking from vibration. I have heard that copper was also illegal for use on gasoline fuel lines but I have not seen any specific regulatory text on that. On the other hand Coast Guard regulations require copper fuel lines. I guess steel rusting in a marine environment is more of a hazard then copper cracking.

I would not use copper for any hydraulic line like on a PS system. Due to corrosion I would not use copper for brake lines either.

 

Found copper did not withstand vibration.

dave

 

copper isnot allowed as breaklines either.they can burst from the psi. well atleast thats what a statetrooper told me years back when i had to have a car inspected

 

The auto tranny lines on my 65 are copper and it has been that way for several years with no problems. Not hooked to radiator directly as I have a section of rubber hose for vibration purposes.

 

Copper is too malleable for use on brake lines and fuel lines, especially considering these are critical systems. Please don't use it. Steel lines are easily bent unless you need a very sharp radius.

 

I think the copper is a cool idea, but I have to agree that they probably wouldn't hold up too well and there really aren't any systems that failure would be okay. Now for an unsolicited idea.....I like the idea of personalizing your truck by using copper lines to tie into plumbing. How about using some copper tubing as a sleeve on the lines that are visible? A little polishing and a squirt of clear coat and they would look great for a long time.

 

I found this

"Copper-nickel alloy C70600, an alloy of 90% copper and 10% nickel, is inherently corrosion resistant to road salt, and its use as brake tubing is increasing based on: 1) Changing life-expectancy for automotive vehicles; 2) Worldwide service-experience data on brake tubing wear; and 3) Increasing cost of corrosion-retarding coatings for steel brake tubing.

 

So from what I gather its ok to do the transmission lines with copper and not the others. I cant see why vibration would damage it any if you use the correct fittings (flare) and the soft copper tubing maybe grade K. copper's rated bursting pressure is extremely high but I guess for hydraulics the fittings can posses problems. As for corrosion the worst thing about copper is that it has to be isolated from contact with any other metals.

thanks alot
Lui

 

The fittings don't matter, copper will fatigue over time from the vibration, stress harden, and eventually fail. If your going for looks, I agree, polished copper would be cool, however you can get a similar look using brass. Brass does not have the severity of issues that copper does in this application.

 

Recently, our A&E firm has spec'd stainless over copper because of the increasing costs of copper. I saw an engineering bulletin stating copper has doubled in price in 6 months. I was also in a drum (as in the instrument) shop and the owner was complaining that he had four price increases over the past year on cymbals. So the moral of the story is you might have your pretty copper tubing swiped from under your truck!

 

ProStock and RalieghDad are Absolutely Spot on right.
Copper fatigues by brittling over time & useage and when it does fail it will fail catastrophically.
NHRA and AHRA and many other sanctioning bodies will not allow copper fuel or brake lines, and if they caught copper lines in A/T coolant circuit, they probably would not allow you to run. When (not If) copper line(s) fail you will douse the track with ATF and others will pay the price in safety or equipment. I go with A&N Grade stainless or a SAE Rated Steel tubing myself.

FBp