156 Brake pipes (a "heads up" warning...)

The front right solid brake pipe on the 156 is starting to be a problem area.
It is corroding in a place that is almost impossible to see, so can easily be missed on the MOT test.

When you look into the wheelarch area, you will see the solid pipe curve round behind the inner wing, about 50mm up is a pipe clip and the pipe is corroding in that area.

I had mine replaced during its MOT test this week, the previous 156 they tested also needed a new pipe and the 156 prior to that had the pipe burst during the MOT brake tests...

I'll try to find a pic to pin-point the area and update this post.

Many thanks david c will go and check mine now!!!

Thanks David ... this is sort of useful info we all need to share.

Mods: Should this be made a sticky thread???

If you can get your hand/finger up between the inner wing and the cambelt cover and feel along the pipe you should find the clip and the problem area.

This one?

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...tml#post750043

thanks for the headsup!

whats causing the damage? is it corrosion or is the pipe rubbing against the clip?

redd

It looks like the protective plastic coating on the pipe gets removed so it can fit into the clip...
Without that coating the corrosion starts.

It wouldn't be such a worry if you could actually see the location, but it is completely hidden.

Thanks for your post. I will chek mine.

Originally Posted by David C

It looks like the protective plastic coating on the pipe gets removed so it can fit into the clip...
Without that coating the corrosion starts.

It wouldn't be such a worry if you could actually see the location, but it is completely hidden.

Thanks David and Chris .

Isn't it rather stupid of Alfa to remove the protective coating to fit the pipe in the clip? What's the point of having a protective coating if you remove a small portion in a totally invisible place?

It could just be that the clip is too tight and damages the coating as soon as the pipe is clipped in.

could this turn into a 2 million pound recall like fiat punto old 176 model .naaaaa but i will check all the cars i will see for test

Originally Posted by gazza82

Thanks David ... this is sort of useful info we all need to share.

Mods: Should this be made a sticky thread???

whats a sticky thread? bloomin internet geek speak..... haha

Originally Posted by Danthehorse

whats a sticky thread? bloomin internet geek speak..... haha

It always stays at the top of the forum

I agree, this should be a recall. But I doubt it will ever happen.

Obviously you came across this yourself Dave, but do you know if AR are aware of it?

Thanks for the heads up...my cars in next week for a major overhaul, so I'll get them to check it then

I had this problem on mine a few months ago - it failed while I was driving through town about 1/2 a mile from home. I used the handbrake to get me back as I didn't want to pump air into the ABS unit.

I wasn't too impressed because it had only passed its MoT a few weeks previously.

Steve

Any pictures to help!

Originally Posted by sa155ae

Any pictures to help!

No, you can't even see the area where the pipe fails so it is difficult to take a picture of it!

I have had a look under my car this afternoon, and taken some photos. I think the pipe referred to is the one shown in picture 1, and the clip is within the area marked with a red circle. Picture 2 is the view from underneath. As far as I can tell my pipe is in perfect condition. I can't see any corrossion around the clamp, and the pipe feels smooth when I felt along it up into the engine bay direction. The problem is I can't really see the pipe, not even with a dentist's mirror. Picture 3 is looking from under the bonnet, between the inner wheel arch and the timing belt end of the engine. All I can see coming through into the engine bay is the cable for the break pad wear sensor. The brake pipe appears to double-back on itself into the wheel arch.

Am I looking at the right pipe?

Yes that is it, but as you have found, you can't actually see the problem area.
The pipe does curve from there, it heads to the back of the engine bay and runs behind the soundproofing across to the ABS unit on the LHS.

Thanks David C,

I've had another look, or rather feel, and at about 50mm up from the bend before the pipe goes into the wheel arch the pipe turns horizontal and heads backwards towards the bulkhead. Just as it becomes horizontal there is another clip, which I can't see with any mirror I've tried, but as far as I can tell the pipe feels completely smooth. Is it at this second clip where the problem has been found? Is there a way of releasing the clip from the wheel arch (without having to take the engine out) to get a good look at the pipe?

Its a pity manufacturers don't fit copper pipes from new then we wouldn't get problems like this. I know the cost would be greater but a few quid on the price of a new car is not a lot.

Sheesh my right hand side pipe is broken off ... any serious dangers

Originally Posted by symonh2000

I know the cost would be greater but a few quid on the price of a new car is not a lot.

It makes a difference when you make many thousands of them.
Remember, there are teams of people in every car company whose sole job is to find ways of making the car for less money. Fitting copper pipes wouldn't get past that team.

Hi Thanks for bringing this potential problem to everyone attenion, especially as its safety related, I,ve just fitted new discs and pads to my 156 and even though I did a visual check of everything in the area would completely overlook this. (Out of sight out of mind I suppose) I'm goin to go back and check tommorrow.. Cheers good on ya mate!

We replaced these pipes on both sides when Chris rebuilt his 156, the off side snapped off when moving various bits about and the nearside had already been replaced with scruffy bit of copper. Getting the n/s one in was a pantomime tho and the power unit was out at the time!

many thanks for the heads up - checked mine a couple of days ago and think I've caught it just in time. Real awkward place to get at as well.