Garage diagnosed cause of loss of brake fluid today, it's the metal brake pipes. some questions ....

[Rightboy91]

Got a Vectra C, Brake oil drops and needs topping up every week or so. the other night the handbrake light came on while driving but after stopping after refilling the brake oil the light went off.

Took it to a garage today who diagnosed the metal brake pipes as the cause. I have heard horror stories of these snapping and causing the brake pedal to drop to the floor in the process.

I was told on the Vectra C it is a real pain to do as the fuel tank is in the way but apparently the tank can be lowered or the pipe re routed somehow to avoid removing the fuel tank fully.

I am considering replacing the metal brake pipe on the opposite side and maybe get a garage to fit the opposite side pipe on the fuel tank side.

Problem is I cannot see any brake pipes for the vectra C which I am very surprised about. all I see is copper pipe.
Is the brake pipe basically fully straight with no bends as the copper pipe is just straight or does it have to be bent ?

are the brake pipes quite easy to do ? the copper piper at euro car parts is 3/16th inch, is this right size for brake pipe ? it's 25 ft long so does it need cutting down ??

also while here to save creating another thread, over the last 2 days or so the temp gauge has been faulty it is barely moving and the very highest it goes to is just under 80 degree on the temperature gauge , that's under all driving circumstances including the car when at idle with no air getting through and the fan doesn't seem to work because it doesn't come on yet ti still stays below 80 ??

thanks

 

[Mottie]

I’d get a second opinion if I were you. If you had so much as a pinhole in a brake pipe, your pedal would be going to the floor and you’d lose all your fluid pretty quickly. Anyway, brake pipes have to be made up. Formed and flared. You won’t be able to do it yourself without specialist tools.

 

[Rightboy91]

I’d get a second opinion if I were you. If you had so much as a pinhole in a brake pipe, your pedal would be going to the floor and you’d lose all your fluid pretty quickly. Anyway, brake pipes have to be made up. Formed and flared. You won’t be able to do it yourself without specialist tools.

I'll probably do that then get a second opinion, just worried of taking it to anothet garage in case while testing brakes the brake pipe snaps and the car is stuck there.

So can I get a pipe made and then fit it myself ?

 

[Mottie]

I had a metal brake pipe blow on me only a few weeks ago after an MOT test and before I had even got from the garage to the road!

If you need a metal brake pipe made, you will have to take the original to a garage (or a spares shop - some make them up on-site). All you will get will be a pipe of the correct length with the correctly flared ends and fittings. It will be up to you you bend it to shape and fit to the car.

 

[Rightboy91]

I had a metal brake pipe blow on me only a few weeks ago after an MOT test and before I had even got from the garage to the road!

If you need a metal brake pipe made, you will have to take the original to a garage (or a spares shop - some make them up on-site). All you will get will be a pipe of the correct length with the correctly flared ends and fittings. It will be up to you you bend it to shape and fit to the car.

Did you replace your brake pipe yourself or you got garage to do it ?

When you said if I want a metal brake pipe made them I'd have to take it to a garage or shop, I assumed you meant so as they can replicate the original pipe and shape and copy that into the copper one, but then.you said I'd have to then make the shape up myself , so why would I need to bring the original pipe to them if I'd still need to make my own shape up with it ?

 

[Burnerman]

If you can remove the offending pipe then a motor factor may well be able to make a replacement for you - usually they use a cupro-nickel pipe that will last for ever.
Research single and double flares so you can understand what people are talking about.
John

 

[Mottie]

Did you replace your brake pipe yourself or you got garage to do it ?

When you said if I want a metal brake pipe made them I'd have to take it to a garage or shop, I assumed you meant so as they can replicate the original pipe and shape and copy that into the copper one, but then.you said I'd have to then make the shape up myself , so why would I need to bring the original pipe to them if I'd still need to make my own shape up with it ?

Read the post - I made it myself.

You need to take it to them to get the correct length and the correct ends and fittings.

 

[HERTS P&D]

John, I would not advise Mark(Rightboy) to change his brake lines. This car is an ancient waiting to happen.

Andy

 

[Old Salt]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall...183127?hash=item4213eda5d7:g:YNUAAOSwmThce4tK

Readily available on ebay, depending on year, model which pipe etc.

However if you haven't changed a brake pipe before you need to ask yourself if you change it? Can you do it right and bleed the brakes successfully to get it back on the road safely?

 

[troutybrown]

Like i said in your other thread above the fuel tank is a common place for them to corrode on a Vec

 

[HERTS P&D]

Driving with defective brakes can result in you being pulled aside by the police and subjected to a vehicle check. If the police officer determines that your brakes are defective then you may find yourself issued with a CU10 offence and facing a fine of up to £2500 as well as 3 Penalty Points to go on your driving license.

Well it's one way to this this 'car' off the road.

Andy

 

[Burnerman]

I've made and fitted many a brake pipe and hated every one.....I'd strongly recommend a garage to do the job for you as they will have a ramp to easily access the vehicle underside.
If you don't clip the pipe to the chassis, bodywork or whatever Mottie will fail you
John

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Got a Vectra C, Brake oil drops and needs topping up every week or so. the other night the handbrake light came on while driving but after stopping after refilling the brake oil the light went off.

Took it to a garage today who diagnosed the metal brake pipes as the cause. I have heard horror stories of these snapping and causing the brake pedal to drop to the floor in the process.

It read to me as if he has lost one of the two hydraulic braking circuits, which would explain a pipe leaking, but how can a driver not notice that?

 

[HERTS P&D]

A few people on here have mentioned the the word 'Troll'.

Andy

 

[Nozzle]

Use Kunifer

Nozzle