2 replies to this topic

[Mayfair'93]

Hello Everyone!

 

This is my first post! There is so much helpful advice on this forum that I have never had the need to post.

 

I have a 1993 Rover Mini Mayfair.

 

I have a problem with the paint inside the boot on the boot floor under the spare wheel peeling away.

 

I took the Mini to the local Mini garage a week ago to diagnose a minor oil leak. Driving back from the garage I noticed a strong smell of paint. I later discovered this was coming from the boot. The paint on the boot floor under the spare wheel had started to bubble and peel away. It was also damp to the touch. I've attached some photographs.

 

The garage topped up the water in the washer bottle (located in the boot). The bottle cap hadn't been fitted back properly so there was a small amount of pooling underneath. I'm not sure these two things a related but I thought I would mention it just in case.

 

Does anyone have any idea why this had happened?

 

My thoughts so far:

 

- Mixture of water and antifreeze reacting with the paint?

- Battery leak? (Although the battery is in a separate compartment).

- Fuel leak? (Although no visible leaks and outside of tank completely dry).

- Overheated because of the exhaust underneath?

 

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Emm

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[absx2]

I would definitely pull the tank out and check for leaks as petrol does pull off aerosol paints and sometimes cellulose.

You noticed a strong paint smell, usually you would not get the smell with 100% screen wash that is capable of damaging paint. 

Thanks to ethanol in the fuel I have replaced four saloon tanks due to tiny pin hole corrosion from water in the fuel all of them mid to late 90`s cars. They usually rot at the seam and only by touching the area the leak appears, unfortunately you cannot get to the seam with the tank still fitted.

It may also be just the fuel pipe that has rotted, very common.

Or something else like a rag soaked in penetrating oil was left in the boot whilst work was being carried out ???

[Icey]

It looks like that boot floor has been painted with something, probably in an attempt to rust proof it.


If there was a strong smell I’d be surprised if it was paint. Once dry there is nothing left to smell. Most likely a fuel leak and most commonly that’ll be a perished rubber hose.