Split brake line - repairable???

[VWnut]

Hi everyone,
My MK1 cabrio has developed another fault (suprise suprise). The copper brake line that comes out of the master cylinder gushes out brake fluid when the pedal is pressed. The split is about six inches along. Is this repairable or will i have to replaced the whole pipe. Is this a hard job??
Cheers
Tom

[carrie]

replace the pipe (never play with brakes) and check all other brake lines too as the may be corroded.

[gibby]

I agree, when it comes to brakes, don't fix, replace.

[vaughn]

replace immediately, brake fluid will strip the paint in your engine bay and worse still brake failure!!

[VWnut]

The car is off the road at the moment, obviously the brakes don't work. Are the pipes easy to replace??

[carrie]

pipes arn't hard to replace but it is ESSENTIAL to make sure no dirt gets into the system, so clean all the connectors well before removing them, dirt in the system will scratch bores in the calipers and master and damage the seals resulting in possible brake failure. the most difficult part really is bleeding the brakes (removing air afterwards).
check all the brake lines as they may be rusty and pay particular attention to the rubber hoses to the calipers.

[richandhazel]

You don't have to replace the whole brake line, but you do need to cut out the damaged section and splice in a new section of pipe. You'll obviously need some pipe section, couplings and a pipe flaring kit: all fairly cheap to buy...........I have the lot

Alternatively, pop down to any garage, most will be able to manufacture you a section to splice in fairly cheaply.

[carrie]

just my opinion but if the brake line has split it could split elseware due to age, for the effort required, i know it means going under the car if it feeds the rear, but you would need to anyway to make sure its not corroded further down. the cost difference between repairing and replacing would be negligable and the preferred option.

[VWnut]

Thanks for the help, i will just replace the damaged section. It isn't split due to wear, it had been rubbing against a metal clip.
Richard, do you know where i can get a repair kit from? I believe we live in the same area (if i remember rightly from previous thread), i live in Finchampstead.

[richandhazel]

Yeah you're just up the road.........I'm in Yateley. I have plenty of pipe, you might have to buy some couplings (Camberley Autofactors) and I have the flaring kit that you are welcome to borrow.

If you're not in a hurry I could pop over and have a look and do it for you, but I am very busy for the next month or two...........