More rust and dampness

[Turner]

I realise that there have been many a thread on rust and dampness and have recently taken some useful tips.

However, I thought I would share my own situation with you.

 

There is dampness in the boot which seems a common issue among escorts.

The carpet is soaked to the point where it could literally drip dry and is also a little, furry, shall we say.

Below the carpet the spare wheel is soaking and has accumulated a pool of rusty water in the rim.

 

http://www.evo-host.co.uk/getimg/28742.jpg

http://www.evo-host.co.uk/getimg/28743.jpg

http://www.evo-host.co.uk/getimg/28746.jpg

 

I gave the rust patches a poke and straight through goes my finger.

The smaller of the two is around an inch long.

These go through to the underside of the car which has me slightly concerned.

 

http://www.evo-host.co.uk/getimg/28744.jpg

http://www.evo-host.co.uk/getimg/28745.jpg

 

I gave the interior a hoover over the weekend and began sucking up water from the carpet of every footwell.

It's probably a similar situation under there, too.

 

This seems like a fair overhaul to get sorted, not to mention the rust on the arches, bootlid and door corners etc.

My main concern is safety, of course. It's been pulled up on excessive corrosion at the MOT in the last 2-3 years. How much more can they weld on!

 

Thoughts, ideas and suggestions welcome.

[Hezz]

probably leaking through back lights or through bumper boltage

[Turner]

Yes, I did notice that the seals were wet. Any idea what size the nuts are which fit the rear light cluster? I am missing one from each unit.

[Hezz]

Yes, I did notice that the seals were wet. Any idea what size the nuts are which fit the rear light cluster? I am missing one from each unit.

no idea mate but if you pm heavyrightfoot i'm sure he'll post the right ones to you for much cheapness!

[Turner]

Yes, I did notice that the seals were wet. Any idea what size the nuts are which fit the rear light cluster? I am missing one from each unit.

no idea mate but if you pm heavyrightfoot i'm sure he'll post the right ones to you for much cheapness!

ok thanks for that. i'll install new seals at the same time.

[demented]

Check the seal in and around the fuel filler pipe, where it joins the metal body of the car, under the wheel arch, that area can corrode, leaving a hole into the boot, allowing rain water through.

 

From inside the boot, behind the carpet side panels the filler flap can be removed, it kind of just pops out.

 

 

I use this, especially on the rear light cluster :

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARAVAN-MOTORHOM...=item2eb9f5e66d

 

Its a white bedding sealant that remains sticky, it kind of never dries.

Can seal the rear lights and they can be remove as often as you like, with no need to apply.

 

Its ideal to used in areas that are not accessible on a day to day basis once sealed.

 

 

In side the boot area of an Escort, below the real lights on either side, there are bodywork seams that are covered with rubber seam sealer during manufacturer, over time the sealer becomes hard and cracks.

 

On the other side of the seam, hidden behind the bumper there is kind of a natural excess water route, so if the sealer on the inside has cracked, water will eventually get into the boot.

 

In my opinion, this is the cause of the water entering the boot of your car.

 

It also looks like it has cause corrosion to the entire rear seam area, below the slam panel and along the full width of the car ?

 

I had a similar issue on an Escort.

 

I reapplied seam sealer to the areas below the rear lights and as a temporary repair, I cleaned away all the loose rust from the rear seam, also drying with cloths and an air dryer.

 

Once clean and thoroughly dry, I reapplied the seam sealer to the entire rear seam, expecting to the area to require welding or the car scrapping in a mater or months.

 

However, after a month or so, the rust that was under the seam sealer had not seeped through and water was not entering into the boot, so after another couple of weeks without rust or water appearing, I applied a body coloured top coat and its remind like so for the last three years without issues.

 

I used brushable seam sealer, for this type of application a brushable type is more suitable than one being applied with a mastic gun.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-Lt-Brushable-S...=item336b9123b0

 

 

I hope this helps