rotten and rusted side window (non factory) frames ! help !

Post by **teknoboy23** » 06 Mar 2006, 00:31

i have a 82 t25 camper with non factory fitted side windows when i bought the vehicle there was some surface rust around the backs of the seals i want to take the windows out to repair the rust but have noticed that bits of the frame have disintegrated so my fear is that if i take the windows out what will be left to fit them back onto ?? does anyone know if there are repair panels for the frames or will i have to blank off the windows altogether !!! as most of the damage will be done by removing the windows its a catch 22 really !!!! any help or advice would be much appreciated i can supply photos of the damage if needed email me

Post by **Grun** » 06 Mar 2006, 08:19

Don't panic Captain Mainwaring,
I had the same problem, had a chat to my local garage. Then I removed the windows and interior trim, the garage cut out the tinworm affected areas, welded in new bits and refinished. Then I refitted trim and windows.
That was five years ago and no sign of any repeat of the problem, and it didn't break the bank. A bit of waxoil around the openings when fitting the rubber seals seems to have helped keep them rust free.
Mike
Grun 1250

Post by **teknoboy23** » 06 Mar 2006, 08:49

hi mike thanks for your advice ! i know this is a common problem with these models and its good to hear how other people have delt with it ! well i work in a garage as a mechanic so the task is no problem i will take it to our local bodyshop and let them have a look when i get the windows out ! as my welding is not worthy enough for this kind of job !! need to get it done for the good weather coming in and before next winter comes cheers

Post by **HarryMann** » 06 Mar 2006, 11:32

What is the conversion - do you know? Some are much worse than others (never primed/prepped the cutout very well before fitting window frames)

Post by **teknoboy23** » 06 Mar 2006, 12:53

to be honest im not sure what the conversion is as ive just checked the chassis number and it has the 252 as type which relates to a panel/delivery van ! and my registration document says transporter light van ?? date of registration is 12/9/83 but it has the twin carb 2.0 cu Aircooled engine in it !! so this must have been a panel van to start off with and like you say poor window fitting has resulted in major rust !! there is a small pic of the van in my avatar on my profile thanks

Post by **HarryMann** » 06 Mar 2006, 13:50

Most camper conversions wree imported originally as panel vans its seems.. cheaper.

Post by **Grun** » 06 Mar 2006, 14:22

Clive,
Mine was a one owner 86 (registered april 87) conversion by a firm whom I do not wish to name but would just A. S. soon see out of business.
All of the cutouts they made in the body shell were raw untreated edges.
A stringer (you'll be familiar with them) where the fridge was fitted had been beaten flat with an FBH. the external plastic vent panels then fitted over the raw edges behind the fridge very cleverly directed the spray from the front offside wheel into the interior which was carpeted (with the cheapest loop pile) right up the inside of the panel to retain the moisture until the next deluge, and accelerate the rust. The floor is poor quality chipboard (MDF is too good a name for it) and the whole of the interior seems to be screwed and glued to everything adjacent. The domestic wiring including 240 volt hook up was draped around out of sight behind the cupboards and retained in place by masking tape. Yes paper masking tape.
A good piece of German engineering screwed up by the Brits!
Well you did ask!
Mike
Grun 1250

Post by **HarryMann** » 06 Mar 2006, 14:55

Well Mike, that's an excellent but sad exposition on why we don't make many things worth having anymore - in a way its a commentary on the great British 'can do' mentaility

Can do, but only using one brain cell

And to garner a few laughs and jeers from those who think we're exagerrating how far we've fallen - yesterday was the 70th anniversary of a very special bit of British engineering - The first flight of the Spitfire, 22,000 of which were made - properly

Happened to drive past Duxford twice yesterday, and I thought I spied a lone Spit leaving the runway and clinbing away into a perfect blue sky an hour or two before sunset - certainly 5 flew again from Southampton yesterday, nearly 60 years after they were made - shame we can't say your camper will survive as long!

Post by **Grun** » 06 Mar 2006, 15:47

Yes Clive,
I have to agree with you about how far we have fallen. I was born less than two years after the first flight of the Spitfire, and only just missed out on working on the type during my RAF apprenticeship, Vampires and Meteors were in vogue at the time. It should have dawned on me earlier I suppose. The RAF were getting all the rejects and failures from the civil side of the aircraft business in the late fifties, Comet 2, Britannia, worked on 'em both, but we were still being brainwashed into thinking we were the best.
Luckily I resisted the temptation to earn a bit of extra cash by volunteering for the 'Common Cold' research con at nearby Porton Down while serving at Boscombe down. Must be thankful for small mercies!
My van is now up together after a lot of TLC (and it was bought cheaply.) Who in their right mind would buy a right hand drive rust bucket in South West France? Incidently the previous owner was overtaken by the pop up roof 'Spinning like a Frisby' whilst at speed on a dual carriage way.

This due in part to the primitive forward securing latch on the A.S. (holes) roof. So at least I had a newish roof on the van.
Rant over

Mike
Grun 1250

Post by **teknoboy23** » 06 Mar 2006, 17:10

CALM DOWN FELLOW VWDUBBERS WHAT HAVE I STARTED!!!

Post by **Grun** » 06 Mar 2006, 17:36

No worries teknoboy,
We do tend to go off at a tangent from time to time it seems.
This is a very calm discursive,(just found that in the dictionary!)

Good luck with the tinworm eradication programme.
Cheers
Mike