Wheel arch welding on potential new purchase (2 Viewers)

[Riverbankannie]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the feedback. The almost universally negative feedback combined with the (im)practicality of managing everything over such a long distance has meant we've decided to pull out.

Let the hunt commence again!

The OP has taken on board the advice

 

[Feltwell]

Good luck with your hunt. There will be a better one out there! OK, a bit newer, but my 2005 van came with only a tiny spot of rust on the underside of one cab step - didn't need welding, just cleaning up and a spot of seam sealer. Since then I've had the whole underside rustproofed with Dinitrol and all the cavities injected. Hopefully that will ensure it never needs anything more than the odd touchup of the Dinitrol.

My experience is once rust gets into a vehicle it's hard to stop. Prevention is much better than trying to cure it.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

TEN GRAND for a 16 year old PVC conversion, run away as it will be a moneypit.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[hilldweller]

The OP has taken on board the advice

I think he's well in pocket with his £15 subs.

 

[Charlie]

I must be the only one who thinks getting the van looked at rather than walking away makes sense ?
Not one of us can form an informed decision on ANY vehicle without either looking closely or a professional opinion.

The OP says he has looked for some time to find one in budget and suitable .

OK walk but ANY future prospects will surely need the same inspection? It is utterly ridiculous to dismiss a vehicle without seeing it. This cannot be done from behind a keyboard.

 

[hilldweller]

I must be the only one who thinks getting the van looked at rather than walking away makes sense ?

Welded and covered in underseal - near impossible to inspect. And of course there was a whole lot of pain showing through in some of those posts.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[chaser]

Anything to do with any rust underneath isn't worth bothering with, especially if you can't repair it yourself, he's talking 10 grand here, the worlds his lobster.

 

[MR. FUSION]

I understood your OP.

The thing is with those vans is some seem to rust and by God when they rust they rust ! And some don't. Well looked after vans with the undersides cleaned every 2 or 3 years can be very decent indeed.

So my advice is to get the vehicle examined by a really good competent person. It could be it's a belter and hopefully a bargain and one that will fulfil your needs. Or it could be a right old tater .

Get it looked at ! 10K may not be a kings randsome for a Motorhome but it's a bloody lot of money if a mistake is made !! ATB.

The only way to stop rust if you use a van in salt in the winter is to jet wash clean it after nearly every journey. Salt is a strongly pervasive medium especially if it's in a nice damp garage on your body work, it will find a weak spot in the underbody sealant and get to work immediately, using the moisture to dissolve paintwork. The underbody should be cleaned regularly with the van, 2-3 years is not even close, 2-3 months in the summer.

 

[Feltwell]

I went in Salop Leisure a couple of years back, they wanted £15k for I think it was a "T" reg Transit based Autosleeper with big rust holes visible in both wings A tad optimistic I think!

Repairable but £15k, really, for an older van that obviously needed work??

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Charlie]

The only way to stop rust if you use a van in salt in the winter is to jet wash clean it after nearly every journey. Salt is a strongly pervasive medium especially if it's in a nice damp garage on your body work, it will find a weak spot in the underbody sealant and get to work immediately, using the moisture to dissolve paintwork. The underbody should be cleaned regularly with the van, 2-3 years is not even close, 2-3 months in the summer.

I agree but how many get their vans in salt water ? I used to have a big jet ski and it the trailer and the launch vehicle were jet washed after every use.

In general it's a damn good idea to clean the underside of any vehicle every couple of years. This stops muck and mud building up which holds moisture in places like wheel arches. Easy to do and great for long term preservation.

 

[cruiser]

Well done that man. My van is 27 years old. It has some small rust spots on my doors. But otherwise fine. But you did right in walking away. As a another funster has said put out a thread on what you want. some one on here might just be able to help.

 

[Sphgmo]

Oh Bother. (Polite version)
Had a lot of welding done at the front of our van a few months ago (by an Approved Service Centre)
Does that mean that no one will buy it ???

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TheBig1]

Oh Bother. (Polite version)
Had a lot of welding done at the front of our van a few months ago (by an Approved Service Centre)
Does that mean that no one will buy it ???

not necessarily, it depends on a few things. like what was welded and how, and has it been deliberately concealed using underseal. very small repairs in a few weak areas are less of an issue than extensive rust chasing

it may well sell but wont be as valuable as a van not needing welding though.