What would you do with this? (Bodywork Q)
Discussion
Guys,
I serviced Mrs 2BToo's 2007 Fabia yesterday. Base model, 99,000 miles on the clock, not worth much financially but a classic 'good little runner' which both she and I are fond of. It passed an MOT 6 weeks ago and is a joyous little thing to drive.
In the process of servicing it I decided to tackle a small bit of rusty scabbiness on the front of the driver's side sill. Only, as we all know, there is no such a thing as a small bit of rusty scabbiness and a bit of love from my biggest wire brush on an angle grinder left me with this.
Apologies for the poor photos - they were taken with gloves on while my mind was elsewhere so are not great. The blue paint is some Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 which I started to apply before taking the photos.
The biggest hole is near the front of the sill and is a hole - as in it wasn't there originally. The similar-sized hole slightly further back is a drain hole which was covered with a rubber bung. The bung was removed to take the photo but has been re-inserted, although the hole has rusted such that it's a fair bit bigger than it was.
Since taking the photos I've liberally applied Hydrate 80 all over the affected area, and sprayed a good coat of Dynax UB over the whole lot, including into the sill using a long application tube. I think this will hold things at bay for a good period of time. Interestingly, the other side is as good as new, although you'd expect the passenger side to be worse as it catches more grit from the gutter. I suspect this rust is a result of a jacking incident as the sill is slightly deformed and has progressed over time.
My concerns are as follows:
1. There is now a fair sized hole in the sill just behind the front wheel. Size is probably 2inches x 1inch. It is uncovered so will catch a lot of crud, which will end up in the sill. Should I cover it?
2. The car passed an MOT recently. Should this have failed? Will it fail on this next year if it isn't repaired?
I guess the proper answer is to have a plate welded over the hole. If anyone can recommend a good garage to do this in the Gloucestershire area then I'd love to hear from them, but this may be better posted in a regional thread.
Thanks for your input.
I serviced Mrs 2BToo's 2007 Fabia yesterday. Base model, 99,000 miles on the clock, not worth much financially but a classic 'good little runner' which both she and I are fond of. It passed an MOT 6 weeks ago and is a joyous little thing to drive.
In the process of servicing it I decided to tackle a small bit of rusty scabbiness on the front of the driver's side sill. Only, as we all know, there is no such a thing as a small bit of rusty scabbiness and a bit of love from my biggest wire brush on an angle grinder left me with this.
Apologies for the poor photos - they were taken with gloves on while my mind was elsewhere so are not great. The blue paint is some Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 which I started to apply before taking the photos.
The biggest hole is near the front of the sill and is a hole - as in it wasn't there originally. The similar-sized hole slightly further back is a drain hole which was covered with a rubber bung. The bung was removed to take the photo but has been re-inserted, although the hole has rusted such that it's a fair bit bigger than it was.
Since taking the photos I've liberally applied Hydrate 80 all over the affected area, and sprayed a good coat of Dynax UB over the whole lot, including into the sill using a long application tube. I think this will hold things at bay for a good period of time. Interestingly, the other side is as good as new, although you'd expect the passenger side to be worse as it catches more grit from the gutter. I suspect this rust is a result of a jacking incident as the sill is slightly deformed and has progressed over time.
My concerns are as follows:
1. There is now a fair sized hole in the sill just behind the front wheel. Size is probably 2inches x 1inch. It is uncovered so will catch a lot of crud, which will end up in the sill. Should I cover it?
2. The car passed an MOT recently. Should this have failed? Will it fail on this next year if it isn't repaired?
I guess the proper answer is to have a plate welded over the hole. If anyone can recommend a good garage to do this in the Gloucestershire area then I'd love to hear from them, but this may be better posted in a regional thread.
Thanks for your input.
I'd happily drive in its current state, the holes are not dissimilar to the original drain holes and structural capacity won't be much affected yet. It would fail an MOT and will get worse through the winter so best to get it welded now. Afterwards, inundate inside the sills with waxoyl type stuff (use a compressor to do it properly) and epoxy paint the outside and it will be fine.
First off don't blame the MOT tester, it may not have been that visible when he tested it. Also there has to a point in time where rust changes from OK to Fail. This may have happened over a very short period of time.
The biggest issue is even with a valid MOT that hole means your car is technically not road legal. Your car needs to be to MOT standards at all times not just on the day it passes. You will be unlikely to have any legal issues though, although you are obviously aware of the issue.
I would just get it fixed and sell the car as that rust will only get worse unless you have a proper repair done, not just a patch.
The biggest issue is even with a valid MOT that hole means your car is technically not road legal. Your car needs to be to MOT standards at all times not just on the day it passes. You will be unlikely to have any legal issues though, although you are obviously aware of the issue.
I would just get it fixed and sell the car as that rust will only get worse unless you have a proper repair done, not just a patch.
Chaps,
Update: thanks for your suggestions. As it was I found a very nice local chap who does welding who cut the affected bits out, cleaned it all up, welded in an new piece (very tidily I'll add), applied some waxoyl inside and black gloop outside, re-welded a broken exhaust bracket and relieved me of £80 for the privilege. I'll put some more sealant inside (I prefer Bilt Hamber stuff) but it all seems to have ended well.
Thanks for your help.
Update: thanks for your suggestions. As it was I found a very nice local chap who does welding who cut the affected bits out, cleaned it all up, welded in an new piece (very tidily I'll add), applied some waxoyl inside and black gloop outside, re-welded a broken exhaust bracket and relieved me of £80 for the privilege. I'll put some more sealant inside (I prefer Bilt Hamber stuff) but it all seems to have ended well.
Thanks for your help.
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