30 replies to this topic

[RobWill116]

Got oversills fitted, but I can't fit the genuine bits for a while

So, was going to do the next best thing (from what i've read) and drill some drain holes in them.
Where should I, and how many?

And, Will it still be ok to get through its MOT? They won't take it as rust or any corrosion will they?

Obviously I'll be primering it all and doing it correct.

thanks

Unfortunately, my car has oversills fitted too. I am going to peel them back and look for rott at the end of the summer. In the meantime, I have drilled two 10mm holes in the bottom of every raised section for ventilation and have injected plenty of waxoyl. I don't take my mini out very often in the rain so hopefully the rot won't spread too much until i can afford to replace them and buy a welder.

[mini_in_progress]

To depress you further, the door steps don't usually fare too well when oversills are fitted!

i can second that too......

[Shifty]

[Lee_bash]

[tiger99]

All I can say is that the sooner the oversills, on any Mini, are removed and replaced with the correct items, the less corrosion there will be to repair. It is very unfortunate that uneducated repairers still fit them, and suppliers still supply them. They don't even serve much of a useful purpose as a repair because there is a loss of strength and stiffness due to the welds being in the wrong place. Often a sill only has a couple of holes, and simple patches, properly welded in, would be a much better fix until the job can be done properly.

Technically, they are, or should be, a MOT failure, because they are not either of the two things which are allowed, a like for like panel replacement, or a continuous seam welded partial panel replacement, but many of the younger MOT testers may not be familiar with the Mini and so not see the problem. Actually, they are a (highly improper) modification to the monocoque, and it could be said that they need an IVA.

The other panel that often goes with them, the so-called inner sill, with the cut-out to fit over the seat crossmember should also be an immediate MOT failure.

[Lee_bash]

The worrying thing is, I took my car to a mini specialist to have a quote for them to be replaced. The bodyworks guy asked me why I wanted them replaced as they're solid outside...

Its scary how uneducated most people are regarding them really, and how many people are driving around unaware.

Edited by Lee_bash, 05 June 2012 - 10:55 PM.

[mike.]

Oversills must of been so commonly used at one time. I took my car to a garage once to have a new sill put on and he didn't know what he was looking at. He was saying 'what are these 'half sills' wheres the rest of the panel'

[Shifty]

I've fitted loads of oversills and know many other people who have done the same.

The big problem is when they are fitted 3 or 4 deep and you get a weak and rusty sandwich of metal.

They've been helping minis through mots for years now. I know mot testers who fit them.

Assuming the old panel has been removed and what's underneath has been cleaned and painted also its been welded 100%(and to a good standard) all the way around then they are ok for a while.

[Sheikh Pip]

I've fitted loads of oversills and know many other people who have done the same.

The big problem is when they are fitted 3 or 4 deep and you get a weak and rusty sandwich of metal.

They've been helping minis through mots for years now. I know mot testers who fit them.

Assuming the old panel has been removed and what's underneath has been cleaned and painted also its been welded 100%(and to a good standard) all the way around then they are ok for a while.

Someone talking sense at last! , Not sure on the for a while bit though, as the use of Waxoil works wonders....

[iDemonix]

My car has an oversill on one side, going to have it replaced at some point when I have money.

Shifty, do you do work and how much do you charge? Seen plenty of your project threads and so on and I'd be more inclined to trust you than a random welder.

[minidaves]

hate the things and the repairs of the damage they cause means lots of mig wire and gas

[rosstolley]

I can't wait to get mine off. After seeing those photo's of yours Shifty i'm a bit worried what I'm going to find underneath mine too! Floor looks mint from the top but on the underside? I'll have to wait and see as soon as its my turn in the garage.

When do you thing you may de doing the repairs?

Should get some photo's of my sill work up around August time. Hopefully you beat me too it because i love a good look someones sill work

[craigyvar]

Good afternoon,

Excuse my ignorance but what should my sills look like from the outside?

I am hoping I do not have these oversills fitted!!

Cheers

[Lee_bash]

If you look underneath, you'll see little bumps along the length of the sill. there should be an open end on the bottom, which lets the water drain out, and the top should be closed. Oversills don't have any drain hole, and thus the water collects in them and you get issues.



Think i've made the decision, in that I'm going to pull the car off the road, take a crash course in welding and get it done myself. Had a mechanic come over earlier and recomend I sell it because it needs welding, I didn't listen to him much after that

Did mean to ask, how does water get into the sills in the first place?

Edited by Lee_bash, 11 June 2012 - 02:13 PM.

[brianmini]

I love it how there is actually moss growing in what should be a closed box section lol.