Re: [T3] Rust Survey Results! (sort of long)

["Jim Adney" <jadney@vwtype3.org>]

On 21 Mar 00, at 19:11, Brian wrote:

> Jim, I have had several type 3 that were rock solid everywhere but the
> battery tray.  The odd thing is I had a seattle area notch that had 6
> inches of rot the whole way around and a pristine pan, with solid
> rockers.  Strangest thing....

It took me years to figure out where that water was getting in. It's 
not clear at all and doesn't show up anywhere as rust on painted 
areas of the car (the only parts that most people pay attention to.) 
Perhaps you will be able to see tell-tale water tracks coming down 
from above in the area where the rear outboard seat belt anchor is. 

This will get water under the battery on one side and attack the 
voltage regulator on the other side.

I think the thing that finally clued me in was when the cup shaped 
steel part that the rear seat back pivots from (via a steel arm from 
the center of each side, squares only) unexpectedly broke loose on 
me one day. After pulling away the vinyl panel I found that its 
mounting area on the body panel was gone, rusted away, and I 
didn't even realize I had a problem.  

It preceeds rocker rustout by years, but it helps cause it because 
water from this source can also enter the rocker. All these things 
always rust out from the inside out.

Noticable external paintwork rust is always minor in importance to 
the rust you can't see.

-
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711-3054

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