15 replies to this topic

[liirge]

Hi all,
Been doing some cleaning up of rust in the engine bay...and found this lovely lot!






As we can see we appear to have a hole or 5, it has NOT gone through by any way, however I presume that it needs sorting up for an MOT, and just generally I don't really want to be watching the exhaust from inside the cabin! What would you guys recommend as the best way of doing this?

Another question if I may, what is the MOT requirement on the inner wing panel, mines in a bit of a state, various bends and rust bubbles, I guess it can t be structural, but may be included if it's classed as a 'crumple zone' LOL. But i doubt it.

Any help on this would be kindly appreciated

Alastair

Edited by liirge, 02 August 2010 - 05:59 PM.

[liirge]

Any kind of thought? is it a cutting a section out, and welding a plate in its place job?

[liirge]

Been on minspares cant seem to find a panel or repair panel!

[danie garry]

its only a flat piece of matal that u'd need to put in
dont know if its much to do with structure but if it was my car i'd replace the that section with fresh metal

sorry if thats not much help but i'm sure some1'l be along soon

[Shifty]

Thats part of the bulkhead panel, have a look at the sommerford or m-machine catalogue.

[liirge]

its only a flat piece of matal that u'd need to put in
dont know if its much to do with structure but if it was my car i'd replace the that section with fresh metal

sorry if thats not much help but i'm sure some1'l be along soon

well you see this was my thinking...a sort of better safe than sorry policy! its only that little bit in the middle where the exhaust goes that has corroded so badly (Obviously due to the heat, increasing reaction times, etc etc).

[liirge]

Thats part of the bulkhead panel, have a look at the sommerford or m-machine catalogue.

What would you say to a cheeky plate welded in there instead of replacing the whole panel, I cant see a reason why it wouldn't work! any thoughts?

[Shifty]

It seems to be two layers thick though and is either spotwelded to something or has something spotwelded to it?

[1984mini25]

I'd personally, chop out the worst of the rot, clean up what’s left, make a template in card an weld in an off cut of spare suitable steel.

You might also find the flange for the toe board (the line of spot welds) a little crusty as well.

Edited by 1984mini25, 02 August 2010 - 11:01 PM.

[liirge]

It seems to be two layers thick though and is either spotwelded to something or has something spotwelded to it?

Hmm, that's a point. One solution to that would be to cut away the 1st layer, if it the second layer is useable, than prep it red oxide it, then just weld a plate over the top, by a join at the bottom, and use the good part of the 1st layer that wasn't cut to weld the other three sides. If that makes any sense>?

So the bottom (Bulkhead to Heel board interface is sealed by the weld on the plate and welded to it, and the plate is secured all around by the outer layer that remains rust free-ish

Edited by liirge, 02 August 2010 - 11:33 PM.

[1984mini25]

Or just chop out the outer layer, drilling out the spot-welds along the bottom. Then if what’s behind is usable, seam welding a patch and plug welding the seam along the bottom.

That way once ground back and paint it shouldn’t be that obvious it’s been repaired.

[liirge]

Or just chop out the outer layer, drilling out the spot-welds along the bottom. Then if what’s behind is usable, seam welding a patch and plug welding the seam along the bottom.

That way once ground back and paint it shouldn’t be that obvious it’s been repaired.

Hmmm. that't not a bad idea!

[Miniowner123]

main layer that has rotted through is just the normal mini thickness metal, the bit showing through from behind will be the main lip at the top of the toeboard, which is usually a bit thicker. i would cut the section out of the front, removing any spotwelds, clean up the metal behind and then seam and plug weld a new piece back in, job done

Edited by pinhead, 03 August 2010 - 08:58 AM.

[liirge]

Good plan, might do that next week, need to order in some sheet metal, any ideas on thickness is good for mini repair bits, ive got a bit of floor that needs a patch in, just for the MOT..

[danie garry]

Good plan, might do that next week, need to order in some sheet metal, any ideas on thickness is good for mini repair bits, ive got a bit of floor that needs a patch in, just for the MOT..

this should help