Berlingo Copper brake pipe n fittings

[Martinez]

I’m about to bite the bullet and make up copper brake pipes for my 2001 berlingo. But need some info please
Copper or copper n nickel ? And what size nuts ? M10 x 1 ?
Lots for sale on eBay, but I don’t want to crawl under the van and find I’ve bought the wrong stuff.
Cheers for any advice on this

[RichardW]

Def copper-nickel - straight copper is not suitable as it work hardens and will fracture. Different sizes may be in use in different places, with different sized ends ( and possibly flare style). Only real way to know is to remove the existing pipe and compare.... Which pipes are you needing to replace.

[Martinez]

Hi. I need to replace all rear pipes. Which means dealing with the compensator and joining up to original pipes somewhere underneath. I’m just going by memory at moment as I’ve not been underneath this year. Past couple of years MOT has mentioned the pipes which I keep cleaning up and spraying with Waxoyl. I doubt I’ll get through another MOT as it is and I’m concerned they may fail.

[Martinez]

Might have to do some at front too

[PaulC5]

If the fittings are in good condition then you could probably use them again. When undoing them use the type of brake pipe ring spanner with a cut out so the corners of the nuts are not rounded off.

[RichardW]

If you're replacing the pipes, just cut them and use a proper ring spanner on the fittings.

[Martinez]

But what size threads are the nuts ?

[PaulC5]

It is not just thread size that needs to be matched, the internal depth has to be the same so also needs to be checked. If you think you will not be able to use the old fittings again do the job on a weekday when a local supplier is open.

[Martinez]

Trouble is the pipe comes with 20 fittings. Think I’ll just order the metric set and add to it if required.

[Martinez]

There seems to be different types of copper brake pipe available
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395124548333 ... BM5PyIwttj
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282636986331 ... BM5PyIwttj
The first of these (much cheaper) states ‘copper nickel and steel’ which makes me suspect it could just be plated. Anyone got experience of which stuff to buy ? Or is it ‘ you get what you pay for ‘ ?

[Paul-R]

Both use the name Kunifer which means that the pipe is made from a copper/nickel alloy - what you want.

I suspect that the steel reference is either an outright mistake or an ultra honest reference to the pipe fittings being made from steel.

[Martinez]

Ah. Never thought about the steel fittings

[Paul-R]

Actually, can I withdraw my comment. I've reread the full description and it may be that they are misusing the name Kunifer. You need to contact the seller for clarification.

[Gibbo2286]

Looking at the pictures in those ads I'd say they're just copper pipes, too bright to be Kunifer. They've just pinched the trade name.
I wonder if you might find the genuine Citroen pipes in the unofficial Citroen specialists garage stores not the main dealer, I know one of our locals bought all the out of date stuff from the main dealer.
http://www.wyverngarage.co.uk/

[Martinez]

Yes, I’m suspicious. I’ve bought a few things from Chinese vendors which are not as advertised. When you ask to return they just want to offer a discount and then expect positive feedback. I’m going for the more expensive stuff which look the same as what I’ve used in the past.
As for original brake pipes, they’ll only rust again whereas copper will still be there when we’re all gone and forgotten. And it’s not difficult to make pipes up.
Looks like all metric brake pipes use 10mm fittings so that’s what I’ll order