Copper-piping - How robust is it?

[Gazz]

I am working on a wee project car at the moment and have some plumbing work that needs done.

This is a budget build and so I am using any scrap that I can find lying around.

What I was wondering was how robust is copper pipe? The type of stuff that you usually find under your sink that water flows through.



Would fuel (petrol) be able to flow through this stuff or would it corrode it ?

What about coolant flowing through it as well ?



Just needing it to join up some hoses, so would only be a wee bit that would be needed.

[reggie]

would be fine just make sut it cant rattle aganst anything
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[DrDonnyBrago]

[loply]

Soldered joints crack with vibration and time, I'd be inclined to use compression fittings.

It's my understanding that copper pipe is used for brake lines amongst other things. I would think it's fine for fuel and coolant too.
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[tatters]

Copper pipes have been used on classic bikes and cars for years, fine for petrol/oil/brake fluid etc. Use compression fittings as mentioned above.
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[bladerunner]

copper pipe is fine with 100psi+ pressures and as for dissimilar metals you'll find central heating system have cast iron, aluminium and steel in them ( rads, heat exchangers etc) but do use anti freeze as plain water makes oxide which will drop any cooling systems efficiency .... just like all cars and bikes do.

joints are the only long term question if the pipes can move about much as far as i can see.
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Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's

[stinkwheel]

I've seen a rear luggage rack made from copper pipe joined together with 90 degree yorkshire joints. Used to come to the Dragon rally every year.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Gazz]

Cheers for the advice guys.

Looks like the stuff that I have got will indeed be up to the job, just thought I'd make sure before fitting the parts first.

Cheers,

I will let you know how I get on once I have made a little more progress with the build.

[stinkwheel]

Also, if you solder it, make sure you remove the flux afterwards.

The ceiling just came down in my downstairs due to flux-rotted copper pipe.

Happily, not my house so not my problem (other than the soggy plaster all over my stuff but not too much that can't be hosed down in there).
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[thegubner]

Don't know about for fuel but I have used copper pipe off the back of the van to make running repairs to water hoses on a transit tipper, ended up leaving it on there permanently and even selling it with it.

Worked a treat.

[njd27]

[stinkwheel]

[ratfighters ftw]

i have made an exhaust from it,so yea it should be fine.

[kitty kat]

Do not use copper for a exhaust as the gasses that will be given off are highly toxic and extremely dangerous and it is also a mot failure
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[kitty kat]

[jenniferhoops]

[sickpup]

[The999Kid]

[Pete.]

Copper exhaust an MOT failiure? On what grounds?
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Ichy]

The only problems I can see with using copper for an exhaust would be accelerated corrosion with the acidic exhaust gases and cold work hardening introducing weak points. I guess there is a limited risk of copper sulphate gas being breathed in but its no more a risk than the carbon monoxide.

Nothing suggests that it would fail the MOT?

OP, I've used copper pipe to join rubber pipes for years. Works really well.
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