Club 80-90 Forums

Anyone got any bodywork stories/pics of what they did with that panel where the fridge vent is - you know the one with the bubbling/filler/shiny perfect paint and seam (OK delete the last one...).

I know the score I think re: cause - by condensation from fridge running down panel - forming constant wet along seam (soaking into under units carpet in my Autosleeper) and rusting from inside out.

Looking at all manner of vans for sale - including our 1991 and a mates J reg 1991 - they all (with fridges) seem to go there.

My question is - what have you done aboot it?

I see JK and Alan Sch both do a panel from lowersill to the indent in the body above said seam. - Has anyone fitted one of these? Any pics/tips. i am guessing this is a furniture out exercise to get at it from the inside.

I have found this one - http://volkswagent25.co.uk/87wedgie/wip ... ircooledWS

- any more?

We have an Autohomes Komet which rusted badly along this seam. We had it repaired about 5 years ago. We bought complete panel from JK and replaced the bottom 9-12 inches. When we took the furniture out we found that some of the floor along that seam had also rotted so we had to have a inch or two of new metal grafted on to the floor. We had the rear wheel arch done at the same time (suspect that rusted due to water leaking past shrunken window seals).

Andrew

My brothers is very clean apart from that seem, and I saw a really nice Komet at Dubfreeze and it had exactly the same problem.

Our Autohome Kameo has the same problem . it has been bodged up in the past.
I am repairing it properly now. Furniture taken out.The worst damage is to the outer sill pannel. This forms the top of the sill inside the van as well.
I've removed this panel completly , and only cut away what is necesary from the bottom of the side panel.
I have genuine new outer sill , still available from VW .
With this I only need to replace the narrow strip of side panel below the vent and 2" strip from the vent to the next pillar.

I think I've posted this link before + it may be in the wiki.
http://www.rustbuster.nl/Bus_zijpaneel/index1.htm
Seeing this is what made me go for the VW sill panel , but I suppose what you do depends on where the rot is worst.

Just had mine done. Rust caused by leaking sliding window I think cos I havent a fridge. I supplied a jk lower sill panel which was a bit rough by the way.A body shop did the job by welding in part of the panel and repairing part of the adjacent floor section. Also repaired rust holes around the sliding window and resprayed almost all of the lower side of the vehicle. Pleased with job £750 though

DentedDevon wrote:I think I've posted this link before + it may be in the wiki.
http://www.rustbuster.nl/Bus_zijpaneel/index1.htm
Seeing this is what made me go for the VW sill panel , but I suppose what you do depends on where the rot is worst.

Do VW still supply the big replacement side panel they used? The one that goes from the sill to the window?

The fridge will need to be removed in order to repair the sections that have corroded. Once repaired you might consider removing the fridge permanently and replacing it with a 12/240v compressor fridge and blanking the vent panel but leave the vent grille (it is then purely cosmetic). It is not just the fridge that causes corrosion but the moist air that circulates through the vent panel. Three way absorption fridges are very innefficient and I wouldn't have one in any camper. Compressor fridges:-

a) Freeze in very hot conditions.

b) are not affected by gradients or have to be level to operate efficiently

c) compact and can be removed easily (not a permanent fixture) and can be placed anywhere including awning.

d) only require 50% of the energy demanded by absorption fridges.

e) no condensation, very reliable, maintenance free!

Had mine for 7 years and wouldn't ever go back to the old absorption type.

mikey , hi , went to hawco and a panel beater mate in inverness yesterday, hawco 3 grand for rusty seams and arch ,mate won`t consider it , too much , so will diy.or bodge.
see www.rustbuster.nl .
This site , 80/90, gives me some confidence to do it . Now looking for a suitable mig welder . Jaylo.

Been diggin' about on my '91 Trident over the hols and I'm pretty sure that its the sliding window that is leaking. I'm going to put a plane pane in and then treat the inside for a short term fix.
Van now gased! She's running well.