Worried about MOT and Welding

[BeigeCamper]

Hi Everyone

This is my first proper post. I have enjoyed reading about everyone's experiences with the old transits.

I have a CI BeigeCamper Mk2 1979 and am concerned about the next MOT due in August. No welding was needed last year but it seems that storing it outside for the winter has caused it to break out with some rust holes in not easy to fix places.

The first place is on the chassis rail by the offside front spring hanger. The metal has gone thin along the bottom of the chassis rail and a couple of small holes have developed in between the hanger. Welding would require the removal of the spring.

A couple of days ago I noticed my indicators stopped working and traced the fault to water getting in through two holes of the inner wheel arch below the windscreen and into the flasher unit! Is this area an MOT fail spot?

What I was wondering is this going to be a costly repair. The last time I paid for welding was in 1989 on my first car which was a Datsun Cherry 100a and needed a whole new sill welded (cost then £150).

I am thinking that I may find it hard to find someone in the Christchurch-Bournemouth area who will want to do it. Therefore any advice from forum members who have had similar jobs done in the past would be most welcomed. Also any recommendations for welders in this area would be great too!

Admittedly perhaps I shouldn't worry until I have the whole van tested as there may be mechanical issues too but I cant help wondering what to do!

Many thanks BeigeCamper!

[baconsdozen]

If the hole in the inner wing is away from any suspension mounting areas it shouldn't really fail,the chassis will.
You could have a poke about and see how far the damage spreads or let the tester find it for you.Either way it might be easier (thus cheaper) to do than a sill.You can make life easier for the welder and save a few quid.Make sure the bolts etc on the spring will undoe,give them a try with a spanner,then scrape all the paint,underseal and poo off where its rusty and six inches or more around it,try and get the metal reasonably clean.Ask for firm quotes and try lots of places.If your MOT man is friendly he might tell you if the vehicle is starting to get bad in other areas,it will give you an idea of how much longer before more bills arrive.

[93fxdl]

this is a little extreme but how about getting yourself a gasless mig and some old bits of steel to practice on or sign up for an evening class in welding and if the tutor is a good type they might let you weld your van as your course work someone local restored an mg metro as part of their coursework but by going down this road you would be able to fix any future holes plus maybe pick up extra pennies fixing other peoples holes and even the knock up the odd creations such as trailors etc
i fixed the front crossmember and the tops of the chassis rails on my mk2 using a gasless mig i bought from aldi and although i knew how to weld (badly? ) and it took a while to get used to it the job came out ok would be quite happy to help you with you perforations but your just a little bit too far from glasgow
ttfn glenn

[BeigeCamper]

Thanks both of you for your replies.

I enjoyed your site BaconsDozen - very informative!

93fxdl - Funny you mentioned aldi - I saw the gasless mig too! Earlier in the year I thought about doing a course too but put it off for a number of reasons. One of them is because I am renting and in the contract it mentions that I cannot carry out repairs on the drive outside of the property.

I think I will endeavour to check that the spring can come away from the hanger and prepare the area and then cross my fingers on MOT day.