Does anyone have any experience with the longevity of nicopp brake line? Everything I read said it will resist corrosion and outlast steel line. So I did my Jeep with it 2 years ago, all new everything, and only drove it 1 winter. Stored all last winter. And last winter I did another vehicle all new with nicopp. Actual branded nicopp, not some imitation. Right now I’m working on replacing the Jeep floors which was long overdue. And looking down at the line. Part of it near a fitting is turning green. The line is on plastic clips stood off from the frame. If it’s anything like a copper electrical wire or terminal, once it turns green it’s pretty much gone. So I’m concerned. Is this normal? Did I do all that work for nothing?
Found this on another forum. This is not from me. Bottom line, I think you are okay. I only use nicopp if I have to replace lines and I have not had any comebacks for line issues and these cars are all driven year round.
You have to remember, corrosion is a double-edged sword. For electronics, it's a death sentence. But for Nicopp, it's like Cor-Ten steel, the outer corrosion layer protects the rest of the steel underneath. Now, remember this: brake fluid is hygroscopic. That means it soaks up water from the air. So changing it out is important. You can invest in a water content meter for brake fluid, which boils a sample to determine water content. Because, if you don't do regular flushes and replacement, the fluid will gather water thru the seals, and the interior surfaces, same as in steel line, will corrode from the inside-out.
Good to know. I didn’t know the corrosion layer on Nicopp line was a protectant. I am familiar with Cor Ten steel. Here in the rust belt, the fluid has never had a chance to get old enough to where it would rot the lines from the inside out. Outside rust always took care of that. But it’s good to know.
Regardless of where a vehicle resides, preventive maintenance is always a good idea. Brake seals and cast-iron bores can deteriorate inside over time, and those vehicles that sit inside during salt season, their sitting can be problematic as well.
