Copper fuel line. Bad idea?

nlorntson · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 10:58 am Post subject: Copper fuel line. Bad idea?

I'm pretty surprised that Wolfsburg West is offering this. I was under the impression that a copper chassis fuel line is a bad idea. Thoughts?

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111209211B&AD=Wired_10_14

vwpackrat · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 11:46 am Post subject:

ive had a copper fuel line on my vert for 15 yrs..........previous owner ran it thru the convertible support rails
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6T5 square · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 11:51 am Post subject:

I would think the only problem would be that its a soft metal that would cut or crack easily causing undesirable results
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vwpackrat · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:10 pm Post subject:

on mine it does not run into engine compartment etc......they basically ran it thru the support rail then has rubber lines from each end there to tank and engine compartment. But yes copper is a lot softer metal than ur other fuel line types.
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VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:20 pm Post subject:

Hell.. if you really wanted to.. you could use rubber fuel line front to back..

IMO.. copper fuel line. is not the best choice.....
Will it work.. sure..
Think

but.... why use it ...when you can use stainless or aluminized brake tubing just the same...

A 25 foot roll of 1/4 brake tubing cost about 20 bucks at Napa or the "Flaps" stores with no shipping. ...Plus then you haven plenty for the hard line at the engine.. .. (and dont have to use the crappy "German" fire hose)

..
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Northof49 · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:48 pm Post subject:

Maybe its just an old wive's tale, but I was under the impression it was illegal to use copper tubing for fuel line in a motor vehicle. It's soft, so it will easily chaffe, and it work hardens and cracks, or so the "story" goes.
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eyetzr · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:08 pm Post subject:

They have been using copper fuel lines in commercial equipment for years. The issue I see is the rubbing & chaffing from it not being secured properly. That holds true for any kind of line.
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drscope · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:05 pm Post subject:

Better to use it as a fuel line then as a brake line.

Many years ago I had a guy in the neighborhood bring me his beetle. He had replaced the main brake line to the rear and couldn't get a good pedal. They would bleed it, get a good pedal and then it would go away very quickly. After several hours of messing with it, he brought the car to me.

I looked under the floor mat and discovered the copper line he had installed was about as big around as your finger! I think it was probably about 2 pedal pumps away from exploding.
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Mike Sal · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:06 pm Post subject: Copper fuel line

As a blacksmith who has forged a lot of copper over the years, I can tell you that tubing starts off soft & will stay soft until stressed. If not secured from movement of vibration, it will work harden. That's when it can crack if it continues to experience movement.

When forging, you have to stop & anneal copper after just a few minutes of working it.

I personally will not use copper line in a vehicle although a lot of people have gotten away with it.
Mike Sal

ThorpS18 · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: Copper fuel line. Bad idea?

Jon Schmid · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 6:33 pm Post subject: Copper fuel line. Bad idea?

Were copper lines ever a VW factory installation? I thought not.

Glenn · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 6:37 pm Post subject:

Any copper fuel line you see in a VW is copper coated steel and not solid copper.
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bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

copper is fine, BUT it must be secured from rubbing, and vibration. it will tend to work harden if vibrated and bent, securing it solves this issue. rubbing will wear thru soft copper faster than steel, again securing it will prevent this.
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VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:58 am Post subject:

^ Ha.. all that... so why why not just use coated steel.. Laughing

Jus sayin' Wink

..
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

Eric&Barb · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 9:03 am Post subject:

Years ago a friend came over with a copper fuel line in her bus. The line was laying on the heat riser tube, so tried to bend it slightly to get it off the pipe and the copper line snapped. Pouring fuel all over the place.....

Got her a steel VW fuel line and never had a problem after that.
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wardvwracer · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 2:53 pm Post subject:

When I tore apart my '62 for the body removal I found that a prior owner had run a copper line past the pedal assembly and along the tunnel inside the interior to the rear of the car. I was a bit surprised by this.

Said copper line has been removed and is rolled up into a nice coil. Not sure what I'm going to do with it, but its not going back on the car in the new build.
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Glenn · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 2:59 pm Post subject:

PO's... gotta love them, because killing them is against the law.
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wardvwracer · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 3:12 pm Post subject:

briansandiego · Samba Member Joined: October 07, 2012 Posts: 135

Max Welton · Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 6:19 pm Post subject:

Nickle-copper brake line is easy to work and holds up very well as fuel line.

Max
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