Rust in the Mk3

[nabes]

Just thought I'd let everyone know about a little rust problem I had.

A patch bubbled up on both sides of the car in the lower back door sill, basically when you open the door and you look straight down, that bit there. I forgot to take photos, but have now had it fixed. The chap who did the repairs basically said that it looked more than likely that it was a manufacturing fault and it has taken 12 years to final eat through, especially since it appeared on both sides of the car. There were no signs of damage by any previous owners.

It cost $500 to fix, one side was worse than the other and had to have a piece cut out and welded back in its place.

Has anybody else had these rust spots. Mine is a 96 GL.

[rayray086]

'95-made '96-complianced GL here, and I had the same problems, except I got to it before it started eating through. It was just simple surface rust which I converted, sanded down and filled over. Mine was on both front sides but only on one of the rears. The spot that the rust started surfacing up was congruent with all the other sides that had rust, which made me think it was a manufacturing fault too and not because my car was in a previous accident and was patched up badly.

[Golf Houso]

Exact same thing on mine too, started eating at the sill, and for some reason started rotting the inside of the door near the sill contact surface as well. Must be a manufacturing fault as I can't see how it would get there. I got the whole thing cut out and repainted on both the door and the sill for $400.

[nabes]

Well there you go. Mine is actually 95 made 96 compliance too.

[rayray086]

The seal that goes over it may be the culprit here... after rainy days, quite a lot of moisture gets trapped up in there.

[Mrk_Mickey]

I know it's a manufacturing fault, but that still sounds spooky!

[Golf Houso]

The seal that goes over it may be the culprit here... after rainy days, quite a lot of moisture gets trapped up in there.

Yeah I'd say the same thing happened to mine, the seals have since been changed but it looks like the problem was diagnosed a bit too late and hence the problem developed. Another problem spot is under the side skirts, mine were fortunately free of rust or blemishes of any sort...

[The_Hawk]

Maybe I should keep on eye on that in mine since it's complianced 1/96...

[Golf Houso]

Maybe I should keep on eye on that in mine since it's complianced 1/96...

I suggest you do, telltale signs such as grease and discolouring around the sill can save you much heartache later down the track. Also mines a 12/97 compliance, just shows how nothing really changed even until the end

[VR6child]

Mines a 94 . i think i'm gonna have a good look all over asap. Might even rip the side skirts off and check under there. any other areas recommended?

[rayray086]

I suggest you do, telltale signs such as grease and discolouring around the sill can save you much heartache later down the track.

You would probably only see that once it's been rotting for quite a while. Mine made no such clues and fortunately I was giving the car a thorough inside and out clean which led to finding rust under the seals.

If you're trying to check them for rust, lift the seals up a bit. It's usually where one end of the seal meets the other.

Maybe it's just my car but I've found another patch of surface rust. It's inside the hatch, under the taillight bulbs and all. You gotta lift the perforated cover that stretches along around the strut towers. I've got some surface rust happening there

I've also some little patches of rust near the door hinge bolts as well.

Dammit, this ain't good.

[ScienceVR6]

I got a 3/95. I got rust in the same spot.

[Mrk_Mickey]

No rust for me yet, as far as I know, and mine's compliance '95 with '94 build so I think I'm doing well