Rust under the drivers seat found :(

[Rippers]

I'm a newbie bay owner and I sad to say I didn't spot this when I bought this Cali import, the van was dry everywhere and the underside is immaculate and bar having a battery tray I can't find any welding anywhere.

However when cleaning up all the coconut matting from under the seats I found it very wet and there was rot on the inside on top of the driver arch (LHD) No sign of it from the underside

Got the wire brush and purple wheel on it

Some bits where not as bad as they looked

Others where a tad upsetting and holes opened up

OK firstly is this a common issue? secondly is there a repair panel for this other then a full arch like this

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Wheel-housing-left-8-67-May-require-seat-runner-mod-211801325P_act_shop.product_pID_137884_lang_EN_country_GB.htm?crumbStartPage=2&crumbStartRow=26" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It seems to me that the issue is from either a leaking door seal or the fact it seems my van with stock suspension seems to be a little bit higher at the front and I wonder if the water doesn't run away properly??

Any help/tips greatly appreciated

For now I just treated the rust and red oxided it till it goes to the body shop

 

[mister]

Looks like it's under the brake fluid reservoir? Maybe an old spillage ate through the paint exposing the metal?
Mine had a little surface corrosion under the foam back mat also.

 

[Rippers]

I thought the Brake fluid reservoir was under the dash near the steering wheel this is under the seat which is no where near?

 

[KevH]

I had similar, but not quite as bad, rusting under my RHD drivers seat when I bought my bus. After rain, it was literally soaking wet. Door seals were the problem.

Have you dried the area out and checked it after rain?

 

[mister]

I thought the Brake fluid reservoir was under the dash near the steering wheel this is under the seat which is no where near?

On mine its here

but mines a 71, maybe it changed? twas just an idea

 

[Rippers]

Interesting, they must have moved it

Whilst we are looking at this area, what is this rubber strap for?

 

[*Sam*]

The brake reservoir is behind the seat on 71 models and near the front panel for the others, differing slightly on 69/70 models.

The water may well be coming in via perished outer window scrapers.

Or at least that's what mine did.
I think In the states a lot of kept a tin of brake fluid behind the seat strapped in via the rubber tie in the above pic hence the spillage of fluid.

 

[bananacustard]

That doesn't look to bad, you want to have a look under the seats on your average UK bus :shock: .

 

[antoine]

i wish id only had that much rust, its definitely not bad for a 40 odd year old van. not sure about smaller panels, but make sure you get good quality ones, some of the cheaper ones are a ****** fit.
it may even be down to condensation inside, or spilled drinks soaking through the carpet, just think how much time people have spent in there and how many fluids have had the chance to get in, even through an open window in the rain.

 

[Bundy]

Mine used to collect alot of water there after rain...
I thought it was the door seals, but turned out to be coming through the door card due to the lack of membrane in there.
A new membrane fitted and it still leaked up until i tucked the bottom edge of it into the big holes in the door so it drained into the door and not back out the bottom of the membrane.
Dry now even in our wonderful British summers!

Cheers
Al

 

[issy]

My van failed not for metal under seatbelt being too weak / thin. The started cutting out and most area under seat fell away! Garage doing just enough welding to gt it through mot .. Photos later. I contacted a h schofield to ask and they said they didnt have that panel but could make one to order...

water comes through bottom corner or door as van always Parked on side incline. Sometimes i wedge sOme plastic bag into door when i close it so water runs out this corner

 

[Trikky2]

Mine used to collect alot of water there after rain...
I thought it was the door seals, but turned out to be coming through the door card due to the lack of membrane in there.
A new membrane fitted and it still leaked up until i tucked the bottom edge of it into the big holes in the door so it drained into the door and not back out the bottom of the membrane.
Dry now even in our wonderful British summers!

Cheers
Al

Flaps matter.