LHM and Solder, Home made LHM supply pipe

[CRX]

Hi All

Quick question does anyone know if ordinary lead free plumbing solder has any effect on LHM (or vise versa)

The main rubber supply pipe from the reservoir split on my XM recently. I made temporary repair with 8mm copper pipe and jubilee clips but I’m assuming if it’s that old its split once there’s a good chance it will go again.

So I want to replace it but Citroen don’t make them anymore. Quick phone call to Pleiades and I find that any rubber hose that’s good for petrol or diesel will be fine with LHM. so make a new one out of fuel pipe.

Only problem is the pipe has tee joint in it. It leaves the reservoir in a pipe with a 10mm int dia and then splits into two 8mm int dia pipes I’ve tried sourcing an unequal brass hose joint but I just cannot find one. So I’m planning on making one using plumb fittings but in concerned that the solder might have an effect on the LHM or the LHM might weaken the joint.

Anyone have any idea if this is the case or has done something similar with no ill effects?

Cheers for any help or suggestions

[Peter.N.]

I cant see any possible reason why it should, I have done similar jobs myself with no problems, its only the flux that is reactive so make sure you clean it off well.

Peter

[xmexclusive]

Hi CRX

Peter is almost certainly right.
I have used plumbing fittings to make up the pipe you need.
Mine must have been in the car for over 2 years now.
The fittings were made up after the second spilt in less than 3 months.
A bit of plain 8mm copper pipe solved the first one.
So when it came to the second I just made up a replacement fitting.
Never considered the solder suitability.
The bits were in the spares box for the central heating and I needed a quick fix.
Key issue for me over copper was system pressure where used.
Not a problem in this application.
I would avoid copper and particularly fittings for high pressure.
The Citroen high pressure applications take the pipe outside its rated capacity.
Any type of plumbing joint used in that application will also be very suspect.
That said Automec supply made up HP copper pipe kits for XM's.

John

[CRX]

Thanks Guys

for the quick responces im going to order some brass hose tails and then see if i can find a brass tee to solder them into. less chance of copper work hardening and cracking.

spent a good few days underneath the old girl last summer replacing failed HP pipes but looks like the rubber pipes under the bonnet are starting to fail now. lets hope the good weather continues otherwise im going to get wet working on the car.........again.

thanks again

Kev