PVC hose for the clutch

sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

My clutch line isn't in the best condition and they went out of production long time ago. According to all material tables I've got it seems that standard PVC will stand the brake fluid. I can buy reinforced PVC hose for peanuts and it is usually rated for 12 bar, so I'll try that (instead of the thick crazy expensive fuel hose they wanted to sell to me at first).

Anyone who tried a PVC line?

sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

Am I the only one who wanted to replace that original plastic crap?..

13 window deluxe · Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:49 pm Post subject:

i think it will burst with the pressure? im sure the clutch will operate at higher than 12 bar?
_________________
1964 rat 13 window deluxe 1Z tdi,
1975 rhd twin slider tintop (TBA)
1991 golf 2 gti with tweaked AHU tdi,

previous tdi swaps: gone but not forgotten
1979 rhd twin slider tintop bay ahu 1.9tdi
1990 T25 1Z 1.9tdi
1993 suzuki samurai with 1Z 1.9tdi

sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

The original pipe doesn't even have a locking clip. On top of that, the original pipe comes without reinforcement and is way thinner. The pressure is not a problem.

1303Steve · Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 1:36 am Post subject:

Hi

I had to fit a hydraulic clutch line in my bug, I used a steel brake line the same as the front to rear one that's used on the brakes.

Steve
_________________
STI powered 1303 now running
G50 box, Boxster/944 brakes, Adaptronic 1280E ecu, PWR intercooler etc

sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

A piece of the PVC tube has been hanging on the wall filled up with brake fluid for two weeks now. Nothing special has happened. I've marked the level every now and then since it sank a bit the first days, mostly because of airbubbles that releases. The last week there has been no movement at all.
To be continued... Happy

Ianbott · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:14 am Post subject:

Do you want to use the hose to run between the slave and master cylinder? Or from the reservoir to the master cylinder?
I wouldn't even consider using it between the two cylinders as there will be too much give in the pipe, it will just carry on expanding and not compress.
If it is just as the feed pipe it should be fine, PVC is resistant to lots of chemicals and a variety of very nasty acids too.

sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

The PVC piece is still hanging on the workshop wall. I plugged the ends with two M6's and I can see the top level has decreased a bit when air has been replaced within the threading of the bottom plug (screw that is). I've measured it constantly and it all is ok, very little decrease lately.
The PVC itself is still nice and firm, no change yet and now "sweating" what so ever.

kent · Wannabe Joined: 13 Aug 2011 Posts: 2

Just can confirm your test with that type of reinforced PVC hose and brake fluid. What I have seen the brake fluid does not affect the hose at all.
How do I know? I have used that type of hose when bleeding the brakes. And it has been in a bottle of brake fluid a few years now and still feels good.

sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

Good info.

sven · Jedi Guardian Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 814

Time to jump back to my test.
The hose is still hanging on the workshop wall, and it still looks good. The fluid level was going down for a while and I added a mark with the date every now and then. I can't really see a reson for the fuid sinking except air releasing or if the PVC itself sucked up fluid. It might be a combination and it's not an uncommon feature of plastic hoses to be suck up fluids.
Anyway, the level has been stayed at the same level since months and the hose still looks fresh and feels firm.

My conclusion so far:
I see no problem at all to use the PVC hose a replacement for the old age hardened nylon pipe in the rear of the bus going to the slave cylinder.