Sorry to post another question on here so soon (I've looked on the wiki, and done loads of searching). I think I've found a leak that lets water in to the inside of the rear bodypanels. The rust in there didn't look too bad at first, but I've removed all the doorcards now, and it's quite bad on the lower inside part of the panel where the water runs down (esp on the nearside). There's some water sitting in there, and I think it's coming from here...
Can that rubber seal be replaced? I can't find anything like it for sale anywhere. There's quite a gap even with the seal in place. How else would I repair a leak there? Can I seal it with anything else? Here's a pic of the rust inside...
I'm beginning to accumulate quite a list of jobs to do before I even get near fitting a new interior!
Thanks for any advice!
looks to me like the rear slider panel/cover below the rear window yes?
if so you'll need to remove the said cover underneath are two securing screws you really need to deal with any rust behind as the rubber trim is not a water tight seal it is just decorative many vans rust out completely behind this panel and if your van has had a cheapo repaint it is usually missed.
I am afraid it is one of those things that will only spread the ole tinworm problem if not addressed.
All though its not a major repair and anyone with basic welding skills should be able to get some new metal welded in for you and as you are replacing the interior it sounds like the best time to do it.
Thats the stuff although I'd hunt around for the type on a roll as that won't have cutouts in it. Its available in several colours from some places. Try beetle custom shops - always a good source for T25 bling anyway. A roll isn't that expensive and would be enough to do both sides plus another two vans probably. Ebay may be a good source and cheaper than JK
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.
dugwiththevwbug wrote:looks to me like the rear slider panel/cover below the rear window yes?
if so you'll need to remove the said cover underneath are two securing screws you really need to deal with any rust behind as the rubber trim is not a water tight seal it is just decorative many vans rust out completely behind this panel and if your van has had a cheapo repaint it is usually missed.
I am afraid it is one of those things that will only spread the ole tinworm problem if not addressed.
All though its not a major repair and anyone with basic welding skills should be able to get some new metal welded in for you and as you are replacing the interior it sounds like the best time to do it.
Yep, that's the one. Thanks for the info. This is what's going on just underneath, in the runner bit...
I really should have checked these things before I bought it. You can see where the rust has just been painted over. Will removing the cover give me better access to that? My dad's a welder, but I'll have to buy my own welding machine if I'm going to attempt any of my own repairs.
Its fixable but might be better to find complete panel sections for some of it - either new or S/H. Yes, remove that trim (may need mole grips on screws) and all will be revealed.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.
dugwiththevwbug wrote:looks to me like the rear slider panel/cover below the rear window yes?
if so you'll need to remove the said cover underneath are two securing screws you really need to deal with any rust behind as the rubber trim is not a water tight seal it is just decorative many vans rust out completely behind this panel and if your van has had a cheapo repaint it is usually missed.
I am afraid it is one of those things that will only spread the ole tinworm problem if not addressed.
All though its not a major repair and anyone with basic welding skills should be able to get some new metal welded in for you and as you are replacing the interior it sounds like the best time to do it.
Yep, that's the one. Thanks for the info. This is what's going on just underneath, in the runner bit...
I really should have checked these things before I bought it. You can see where the rust has just been painted over. Will removing the cover give me better access to that? My dad's a welder, but I'll have to buy my own welding machine if I'm going to attempt any of my own repairs.
Yep is a bit rusty in there is'nt it but its not terminal. The cover will come of fairly easily just undo the two screws and pull the botton towards you and push up and it should slip out of the lip at the top.
This will give you plenty of room to see what is going on in there.
At the very least wire brush of the rust and use some rust stopper/ killer like vatcan or kurust (available from halfrauds) this will stop the rust going any further. Once you have wirebrushed the rust away you will have a far better idead as to how bad the issue is and whether you can temp repair the hole with fibreglas/filler. Allthough its always best to remove the rust and weld in new metal.
A good tip is to smear some petroleum gelly over the area before you replace the cover as this helps repell any water ingress and may be hold back more tinworm.
I try to give the area a good wash out with a hose to flush away any salt spray from the roads that collects up there
This is what the area looks like once that panel over the runner is off: (this is on a LHD)
The runner itself (very rusty in your case) is just a profiled sheet metal channel that is spot-welded onto the panel underneath. The seal on top of the (missing) panel doesn't really do that much sealing, as normally there is nowhere to go for any water that could get in there than out the bottom end (eventually).
The fact that the inside of your panel is rusty would indicate that the area around your runner has actually rusted through.
As you're going to do the insides of the van eventually, it might be a good idea to start looking for a repacement runner/side panel bits from a donor vehicle
Here's a more detailed shot of the rear of the area. You can see the runner profile and the spot-welds.
The smaller, upper profile is where the seal sits in (behind the now removed cover panel)
Thanks for that peasant, it helps to see what it's supposed to look like! My van's a RHD, but has sliding doors on both sides (though the left one is either broken or has been disabled). Are the runners identical for both sides do you think? I'm sure it will be more obvious when I get in and have a look!
Cheers!
In addition to what has been said above, it is worth inspecting the window rubber itself & the metal it conceals, It is unclear from the pictures if your van has factory windows, or is a cut panel van with aftermarket windows. Both types of rubber seal deteriorate & can conceal rustholes which will allow water inside.
)
