TaboII

Help Please,

ON the break fluid reservoir there is a blue hose that exits to the right side as you are standing in front of the motor looking in and connects to a steel line at the firewall then disappears behind it. It appears to be my clutch master cylinders line or one of those important dodad’s. In any case, it has a nasty crack in it and is spitting out fluid into the engine compartment. I called Porsche and they want $155. smakerooonys for the damn part to replace it! My question is this; the hose is about 8-10 inches long, blue and is clamped to both the break fluid reservoir and then clamped to a small protruding steel hose at the firewall. Is it possible to simply replace this hose with standard break fluid hose and clamps???? I mean the total cost of repair would be like $4. Big ones if this is the case.
Can any one lend me some advice on this? What size hose and clamps to use etc. etc. or am I stuck paying out the nose for a part that is marked up like 2000% over manufactures cost.
<img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

Andre

when i did the clutch job and was bleeding it (hard to bleed clutch slave cylinder, there is a special way to do it) i thought that the res. was clogged and wasn't giving enough fluid, so i took the hose off and whatnot...blah blah....point is that i put a new clamp on it and it works fine.

I mean its a hose, that material thats around it, is all tattered on mine and nothing is leaking, if i were you, i'd go to home depot and just ask em for a "heavy duty" hose, bring yours in and show em and have them get you something like that, worse case senerio you'll pay 20 bucks, but i doubt it.

if you get stuck bleeding the clutch after, if you dont have a power bleeder, let me know its easy once you know how.

IceShark

You should be able to have a local hydraulic hose shop sell you a replacement that would be fine, just remember that the hose needs to be rated for hydraulic fluid.

There is something else about that little hose that is unique, but I forget what it is at the moment.

Clean up that brake fluid you spilled, it will eat the paint off.

TaboII

Does any one know what is possibly unique or can I get away with using a simple hydrolic hose line and the appropriat clamps. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Michael Stephenson

This may be a bit off topic, but I wonder if the line that Paragon uses for thier SS flexible brake lines would work? It would look really awsome and I doubt that it ever rupture.

kelsean

just pulled my brake master/res of and was wondering about that blue braided hose as well. Mine was very dry and cracked on the reservoir end and just felt brittle. I'd be interested to know whats so special about it too -for 155 bucks i can only imagine

Andre
would you mind posting that clutch slave bleed procedure?

Skip

They're quoting you the wrong hose - probably because it's the only one listed for the master cylinder in PET. The part# with a list of $155.39 is 951.423.189.01, and goes from the clutch master to the clutch slave - it consists of both metal and rubber tubing. FYI, that part is closer to $25 from most non-dealer sources

The correct hose should be available at any parts store. It's nice to have the special cloth braided one, especially for the Turbo cars, but it's not really necessary. Not sure of the diameter, but is should be easy to match up. Nominal length is ~270mm (10.6").

Good Luck!

kelsean

thanks Skip- ok to replace it then.

First gotta clean out my reservoir. Anyone have a good method for getting one of these really clean, or just replace?? Is it a bad idea to spray brake cleaner in there to get the gunk out? Its not easy because of the different chambers inside there.

Skip

Brake parts cleaner is fine - just be sure to spray it out and let it dry completely. You will have to bleed the clutch once complete.... and, the brakes too if you're taking the reservoir off.

Skip

Tabor

If you are careful you can replace both the blue hose and the brake fluid resivour without bleeding anything. I know, I have done it.

JGriff

[quote]Originally posted by Skip:
<strong>The correct hose should be available at any parts store. It's nice to have the special cloth braided one, especially for the Turbo cars, but it's not really necessary.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

I checked my hose recently, and it needs replacing as well. I went to a local VW dealer and to AutoZone, and neither one had a hose that I could use. Well, let me clarify that... if I had the hose off the car and/or the diameter, the guy at AutoZone said that he might be able to give me something... but it wouldn't be braided.

He said that the braiding helps to keep the hose from expanding. He said that if I didn't use it, I might have a soft clutch pedal. Do you folks agree?

He said that I should try a NAPA store. If I get a chance, I'll swing by there and see what they say.

FWIW, is there a Porsche part # for this little blue hose? And if so, does anyone know how much it is? Can it be ordered via most of the online Porsche parts vendors?

Thanks.

nh3

Any local indusrial supply house should have a compatible hose. I replaced mine and not that big a deal. Just make sure the hose is soft enough for the hose clamps to compress.

nh3

Skip

[quote]Originally posted by JGriff:
<strong>He said that the braiding helps to keep the hose from expanding. He said that if I didn't use it, I might have a soft clutch pedal. Do you folks agree?<hr></blockquote></strong>

Nope - the braiding does help protect the interior shape, but also protects the exterior from heat. Also, the normal fuel hose he probably wants to give you would most likely not be DOT4 brake fluid rated, as the blue hose is. The brake fluid will break down the hose, until it sweats, weeps, and eventually blisters and bursts. The folks at the Seattle Dyno Day will tell you they've seen this first-hand (on MY car, however embarrassing that is for me to admit )

[quote]<strong>Can it be ordered via most of the online Porsche parts vendors?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I've got 3 bucks that says it can

Skip

Turby

Kieth, If the one from my car will fit you are welcome to it...........call me 617-407-1247

triscadek

There was a thread on this 2-3 weeks ago titled you may want this or something similar, somebody was going to make braided hoses for about $20.

I do remember that Ice Shark responded on that one and he has some knowledge on the specs. for the brake fluid compatible hose.