T25 - Rusting (Advice Please!!)

[EG85]

I am looking to buy a 1986 T25 (Diesel 1600cc) for a 6-month to a year trip around europe.

It's in decent condition intererally and the engine also seems in good nick. My only concern is the amount of rust on the external panels of the vehicle.

There is a fair amount of rust on the body work which seems fairly superfical (just bubbling under the paintwork).

However there is a fair amount around the fuel nozzel and what seems to be 'slight rusting' on the wheel arches. I know these are important areas (for seat belt mounting etc).

Can anyone give me any advice in regard to knowing if the rust is 'internal' (structuaral).

Is there an easy check that can be done? I really want to buy the van, but don't know if this is serious enough to stop me making an offer.

Any advice?

thanks!

[joshb]

hi, any pictures? 'bubbling of paintwork' could be bad as it may indicate a botched repair/ renovation etc etc

[EG85]

Picture attached.

I dont mind a bit of rusty body work as im not looking to spen a huge amount. I want the peace of mind that the van is structurally sound before purchasing.

THANKS!

[camper]

Its a nearly 25 year old van and i would be suprised if there was no rust or bubbling in various areas.The front seat belt mounting area should be looked for rust corrosion and the side panel to floor seal offside RHD or nearside LHD.Its unlikely there will be corrosion anywhere in the chassis but you might have rusted areas in the floor close to the offside or nearside seal and the cab steps can rust.There are repair panels avalaible schofields or JK.My own T25 has the bubbling& rust as shown in your pict im not worried about i will eventually repair it.Negotiate on the price if its worth it.

[EG85]

How do you check the seat belt mountings? Is there an area you can check under to view them from inside the van?

[jaylo264]

Sorry to say , i think you will find problems with seat belt anchorage points ( you try to rip the bolt out , essentially, if it starts to come out thats going to fail mot ) and the area round the fuel filler is a swine for rust and a booger to weld , plus you have the fuel expansion tanks there , i have just done mine and probably took about a week solid to do the whole thing with my fuel system completely out !
Negotiate a pretty good price and buy a welder , is my advice .
jaylo

[rick]

How do you check the seat belt mountings? Is there an area you can check under to view them from inside the van?

you can start by physically inspecting the mount from the inside. where the bolt goes into the top of the arch inside the van. has it been touched up with paint? can you see any weld seams around it?

you can also check the integrity of the steel from underneath the mountings on the top of the inner arches.

has it got or ever had a fridge? check both inner sills and lower body panels to make sure they are sound. check around the bottoms of the 'b' or door pillars and through the bottom of all the jacking points (4) they have holes in the bottom so not hard to see.

if your not sure, take tons of pics and post them up for all to see. the inner sils might be hard to photo but generally just have a good poke around. dont be gentle either because they are very important bits of chassis.

check the side walls of the engine bay and all areas around the box chassis rail at the rear. any corrosion within 300mm of any suspension mount is a mot fail.

on the bright side, there is nothing that cant be fixed. but depending on the price asked and what you expect to get for it if you decide not to keep it after your trip all these things can weigh heavy on its value due to the head ache factor of sorting it all out.