OEM Oil Pipes - Swapping Between Rubber and Metal
Discussion
ColourRestorer said:
Can anyone clarify the thought process behind the design of oil transfer pipes in road cars?
My assumption is that the design criteria are:
Ability to withstand temperature and pressure of fluid being carried.
Cost.
Weight.
Space/Volume.
Ability to withstand environmental conditions including abrasion, vibration, salt spray and a few other things listed in 810E.
Resistance to transmit vibration between components.
Ability to withstand relative motion of differently mounted components e.g. engine and bodyshell.
Inclusion of joints to allow maintenance.
Oh and did I mention cost?
Why am I asking this? I am repairing a road car which has suffered a catastrophic transmission failure with the result that the oil lines and oil coolers will need to be replaced due to contamination. Added to which, many of the lines were assembled without anti-corrosion coatings so cannot now be separated from the coolers.
The OEM lines are a mixture of aluminium and what I'll simplistically describe as rubber and seem to interchange between the two materials at various points along the hose runs for reasons which I cannot fathom.
The cost of OEM lines is ridiculous (£200+ for a 2 foot line), and there are eight of them, so my instinct is to replace the lines with long simple runs of braided hose, but I’m wondering if there’s a factor, or indeed many factors, which I have overlooked.
Your thoughts please...
There are always factors. You wish to change them, you deem whether your choice of hose now meets your criteria.My assumption is that the design criteria are:
Ability to withstand temperature and pressure of fluid being carried.
Cost.
Weight.
Space/Volume.
Ability to withstand environmental conditions including abrasion, vibration, salt spray and a few other things listed in 810E.
Resistance to transmit vibration between components.
Ability to withstand relative motion of differently mounted components e.g. engine and bodyshell.
Inclusion of joints to allow maintenance.
Oh and did I mention cost?
Why am I asking this? I am repairing a road car which has suffered a catastrophic transmission failure with the result that the oil lines and oil coolers will need to be replaced due to contamination. Added to which, many of the lines were assembled without anti-corrosion coatings so cannot now be separated from the coolers.
The OEM lines are a mixture of aluminium and what I'll simplistically describe as rubber and seem to interchange between the two materials at various points along the hose runs for reasons which I cannot fathom.
The cost of OEM lines is ridiculous (£200+ for a 2 foot line), and there are eight of them, so my instinct is to replace the lines with long simple runs of braided hose, but I’m wondering if there’s a factor, or indeed many factors, which I have overlooked.
Your thoughts please...
9xxNick said:
A company such as Pirtek may be able to make you up some hoses to the correct spec if you take the old ones along. They also have a mobile service.
Possibly.Car manufacturers have an annoying habit of using non standard threads/fittings, so the likes of Pirtek may not be able to help. Worth a try though..
Audi by any chance?
I don't see the need to go between metal/rubber/metal sections amd just keep it all hose from one end to the other. But ensure there is no risk of chafage, which is the source of a lot of failures.
Pirtek operate on a franchise basis, so maybe worth trying a few others who may go the extra mile for the business.
The 3 lines cost me £300 which included the labour for the garage so the cost saving is considerable. .
9xxNick said:
A company such as Pirtek may be able to make you up some hoses to the correct spec if you take the old ones along. They also have a mobile service.
This is who the garage used when replacing my hydraulic lines when 3 of them needed replacing. £200 a go wasn't going to happen. I don't see the need to go between metal/rubber/metal sections amd just keep it all hose from one end to the other. But ensure there is no risk of chafage, which is the source of a lot of failures.
Pirtek operate on a franchise basis, so maybe worth trying a few others who may go the extra mile for the business.
The 3 lines cost me £300 which included the labour for the garage so the cost saving is considerable. .
Sorry I should have added Pirtek is a franchise as far as I know.
But most hydraulic companies I know will be able to source the ends reqd. Failing that, reterminate your good bulkhead fittings/pipes with more commonly used fittings which enables standard type hoses to be fitted.
I'm sure there will be an affordable way around your issue. Good luck.
But most hydraulic companies I know will be able to source the ends reqd. Failing that, reterminate your good bulkhead fittings/pipes with more commonly used fittings which enables standard type hoses to be fitted.
I'm sure there will be an affordable way around your issue. Good luck.
I used Torques UK on ebay for most of my hoses these days. They have a good choice of braided hoses - my current favourite is the black braided, stainless reinforced, teflon hose with black fittings. Have used it both on the RS (to replace OEM stuff) and the boat motor,
Easy to assemble at home, spec well in excess of what you need on an oil system and looks good on the car.
Easy to assemble at home, spec well in excess of what you need on an oil system and looks good on the car.
ian332isport said:
Car manufacturers have an annoying habit of using non standard threads/fittings
There are plenty of standards to choose from, but I'd be surprised to see a modern manufacturer using a fitting that didn't comply with a recognised standard for thread, seat and so on. That's the thing you'd need to match when replacing.Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff