But wouldn't the same be said of a plastic fitting of the same design?

Jim

On Wed, Jul 4, 2012 at 11:39 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
> 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