welding for mot

[goodsintransit]

I have a mk5 2000 2.5td lwb 190 and took the boards up the other day to find that it had lots of rust and 2 holes in the floor.After further investigation i have had to cut out large parts of the floor where it was badly corroded. I have examined the chassis and although a bit rusty it all seems to be solid.Could anyone please tell me if this is a common problem on transits and if so what is the likely cause of the problem,also what an mot tester would be looking for when inspecting the vehicle.Will try and put some pics on tomorrow. Thanks in advance cheers David

[MrMPuk]

Generally the rot on the rear floor section is caused by people ply lining the van and just screwing straight through the floor.

[sparesman]

Any rust holes in floor pan or chassis rails is a mot failure

[goodsintransit]

Here are 2 pics of the rear floor



.

It seems to be worse than I first thought,at this rate I will end up with no floor.Was wondering if anyone knows where you can get the rear floor pan from and if so how much is it likely to be and is it a long and hard job to replace? cheers

[Luke]

i dont think the floorpans are available!!

its not too bad a job doing the floors at least its flat plate-ish - while you have the chassis rails exposed its an ideal time to stuff some underseal down in them!!!

[100ps_drw_hicube]

where the hell has that been ???:shock:




in the sea

[goodsintransit]

Cheers Luke was going to get as much rust off as I can then waxoil everywhere but for me its just getting the time to do it,thats probably how it got into this state from not having time to maintain it properly.I think this time I will drill a couple of holes just so any water that gets in can drain thanks for help

[goodsintransit]

I know 100ps.Got the shock of my life and its only 6 yrs old!

[Luke]

have a read of gunslingers progress report
http://www.fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1708
his was like yours once

[100ps_drw_hicube]

is disapointing to see at only 6yrs mine is 10 this year and is like new underneath just the bodywork thats rough and mine wasnt undersealed from new it now has 2 thick coats of the stuff

[Guy88]

My Mk 3 is 18 this year and it is immaculate underneath no rust in floor or chassis. the only rust it has is on doors and arches

[goodsintransit]

Just read gunslingers progress report and if mine turns out half as good as that i will be well pleased

[Gunslinger]

if you cant find a "donor" vehicle in the scrap yard, then try and find some one with a swaging tool that can be used to roll the ribs in where you need them.

that area is prone to rot because it is made of about 3 panels,

if you cant get a swaging tool, go find a plate of 3 or 4 mm steel, galvanised if you can, then put it to one side and make a cardboard template first before touching the steel, thinking about where your plate will sit over the original floor and where it will slide under (like cut half way along a rib so panel will slide under it) this will ensure its sitting flat and on the chassis rails

check the floor to wheel well tubs joints too, make your panel slide into the wheel area too if needed then weld the tub too it and cut it back.

make sure you weld the new floor to the chassis, i would recommend cutting some slots in the new panel above the chassis to weld through, this will ensure proper penetration

any questions feel free to ask

[goodsintransit]

Thanks for that gunslinger,priced a new rear floor pan £150,but I got some galv steel for free out of a skip so just gonna use that and find a good welder to do it.Will put pics on when done. cheers

[Gunslinger]

transit.jono found a rear floor on ebay (think the guy had more) for about £80

Tips on welding galv.

1) its poisonous, so dont breath in
2) you have to clean off the top finish both sides of where your going to weld, or you'll get a brittle weld
3) it will sound different when welding with a mig, thats normal
4) you'll have to mess with your settings a little because it will behave differently
5) when finished rough the surface and use a galv primer or etch primer (i have a few area where the paint comes off real easy because i didnt use the right primer )