Have Monaros become very rusty ?

Have Monaros become very rusty ?

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Discussion

SimonTheSailor

Original Poster:

12,684 posts

234 months

Tuesday 26th February 2019
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I had a CV8 a few years ago and there were reports of them going a bit rusty after only a handful of years.

Just wondered what they are like now ?

Is it a concern now ? Any wheel arches starting to rot ?

Lincsls1

3,416 posts

146 months

Tuesday 26th February 2019
quotequote all
SimonTheSailor said:
I had a CV8 a few years ago and there were reports of them going a bit rusty after only a handful of years.

Just wondered what they are like now ?

Is it a concern now ? Any wheel arches starting to rot ?
They are not what I would call rusty cars, I'm on my second and neither were or are rotten. The actual shell on mine is totally rust free, although I can't see what's behind the skirts. Will be having some paint soon, so will report those findings later.
My chassis is holding up well, but some cars are rotting on the front legs where moisture gets between the skins of metal.
A lot will depend on the type of usage too. Many of these are a second car/toy/hobby. Mine for example has been SORN and garaged since 1st of November and won't be seeing the road till April. Compare that to someone who uses their Monaro as a daily in all weathers, there might be quite a difference underneath.
Many have also had extra weather proofing applied now, I did both of mine.
I wouldn't be any more concerned than with any other ~14/15 year old car, but as always I'd check best I could.

Lincsls1

3,416 posts

146 months

Tuesday 26th February 2019
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Have a read of this thread - mega mile Monaro doing very well. Updated just yesterday.
This Ro has 235k on the clock and its owner of over 6 years is very happy with it....

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

mfp4073

1,976 posts

180 months

Tuesday 26th February 2019
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I think the rust issue on a half decent Monaro shouldn't be too bad.
They all seem to suffer from rusty fuel and brake pipes, and as previously mentioned check the front chassis rails for rot, problems in that area would be a real ball acher.
The visible body work on the cars I've seen have all been OK, so the only other area I can think of would be behind the side skirts, especially the area in front of the rear wheels behind the plastic end caps. I've emptied out plenty of rubbish built up in there.

Tomaahawk

39 posts

171 months

Thursday 28th February 2019
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My 54k 2004 CV8 has developed a blister on the offside chassis leg under the abs unit.

Closer inspection/prodding lead to 2 small penny size holes! Access to this area to repair is poor so engine is currently out to repair properly.

Rear brake lines and PAS pipes are rather crusty too so I'm taking the opportunity to replace these while the engine is out.

On the whole the car is very tidy, but one small scab has lead to an engine out job!

maccavvy

660 posts

170 months

Thursday 28th February 2019
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No underseal from new. Doesn't help..the chasiss leg is a known bad spot.

It's why mines covered with underseal and get checked yearly and has been cavity waxed

Lincsls1

3,416 posts

146 months

Thursday 28th February 2019
quotequote all
Tomaahawk said:
My 54k 2004 CV8 has developed a blister on the offside chassis leg under the abs unit.

Closer inspection/prodding lead to 2 small penny size holes! Access to this area to repair is poor so engine is currently out to repair properly.

Rear brake lines and PAS pipes are rather crusty too so I'm taking the opportunity to replace these while the engine is out.

On the whole the car is very tidy, but one small scab has lead to an engine out job!
Oh no!
That's why mines never seeing a salty or wintery road again! Mine has a small blister on the underside of the OS chassis leg. Just behind the steering rack.frown

SimonTheSailor

Original Poster:

12,684 posts

234 months

Thursday 28th February 2019
quotequote all
Ok thanks guys. Definitely something to look out for then.

It's odd, when the problems first started to appear a guy from Vauxhall came on here saying they had the same protection as other Vauxhall's.

mfp4073

1,976 posts

180 months

Friday 1st March 2019
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SimonTheSailor said:
Ok thanks guys. Definitely something to look out for then.

It's odd, when the problems first started to appear a guy from Vauxhall came on here saying they had the same protection as other Vauxhall's.
The Vanxhall Monaro/ Pontiac GTO / Holden Monaro all had the same basic rust protection in that they had a 6 year /100,000 mile rust through warranty. ( Chassis and body panels )
The Pontiac version was supposed to sell in big numbers in the USA and they needed corrosion protection because the Americans use salt on their roads. (Presumably the Australian versions didn't have any protection prior to that?)
This is where the additional rust protection came from, If it wasn't for the GTO we probably wouldn't have a Vauxhall version. They certainly wouldn't last very long in our lovely damp salt ridden climate without it.
As long as the car didn't rust out within the warranty period GM were happy.
Having said that Monaro body work seems to last quite well, so overall things aren't too bad.
Thankfully it's pretty easy to keep the rot at bay, a pain in the arse manybe but easy nonetheless.
My car doesn't see much in the way of salt or mud, but I still keep the underside clean and top up the corrosion protection with whatever I have lying around the garage. So far it's seems to be working.