The only problem with brass fittings is the design of the barbs and choice
of clamping systems. Most hoses used in cooling systems are designed for
smooth fittings and a single bulge to provide added sealing and a place for
the clamp-hose to lock on. The sharp barbs and non-expansion clamps combined
with the expansion-contraction cycles will over time damage the hose at the
fitting or still allow for leaks.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Derek Drew
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2012 8:27 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Brass Coolant Connectors = Failure?

The information throughout the Internet seems to be that brass barbed
fittings are good to 160 degrees (at 2XXpsi).

I called Dixon Brass and they said not to use the brass barbed Ts and pipe
joining fittings for engine coolant where the coolant would go over 160
degrees (as it would in a car).

This seems to imply that we cannot use brass in the coolant system, at least
not the common barbed fittings, almost all of which, where a rating is
given, are rated to 160F.

So, I called McMaster and they said that you absolutely CAN use brass barbed
fittings in the coolant system of a vehicle, and said the 160 degrees rating
was a sort of a mistake that keeps getting repeated over and over again, but
that its source was originally from the rating of *hose* that was connected
to the brass fittings, but that the brass fittings themselves will
absolutely stand up to the needs of an automotive cooling system (210F?).

Does anyone have any further info or experiences?

Has anyone on this list ever had a FAILURE of a brass coolant system barbed
fitting?

The reason I ask is that there are some of these fittings in my coolant
system right now, and I have to decide whether to go dig them all out and
replace them with OEM VW plastic fittings, or Gates plastic hose fittings.

_______________________________________________
Derek Drew
Washington DC / New York
derekdrew@derekmail.com
Email is best normally but...
PHONE: 202-966-7907 (Call the number at left normally) (alt/cell for
diligent calling only): 703-408-1532