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found some crumbly rusty bits
Starbug - August 5th, 2004 at 04:06 PM

while getting all oily and covered in petrol today i noticed some very crumbly rust, located under the left side back seat (im guessing where the heater boxes/channels used to be? i havent got any... looks just like the other side just without the battery.) im guessing its the cumulative effect of parking the bug on wet grass because my landlady said it was too noisy to park in the garage:cussing

i poked it with my keys and it made a hole (woops!) im guessing bog is out of the question. The other side and the rest of the underside looks ok (i poked it with my keys and it didnt make any holes :thumb ) the bit thats got the rust has been boxed in pink.

is this a common site for rust in beetles, and is it going to he cheap to fix or should i learn how to weld this summer holidays?

thanks muchly in advance:)

[Edited on 5-8-2004 by Starbuggy]


barls - August 5th, 2004 at 04:11 PM

its a common place for a bug but usually its the side with the battery. as for cost it cost me a 6 pack cause my old mans a welder as well as mechanic


Anthiron - August 5th, 2004 at 04:13 PM

u can buy the little sections and weld them in.......it usually rusts under the battery first.


Bizarre - August 5th, 2004 at 04:30 PM

Not good - but i wouldnt say dangerous.

Give it a real solid wire brushing and liberal doseing of Galmanet or Fish Oil

Then have a real good dig aroung the rest of the car and see if you can find any more.

If not then save up and get a rear battery tray (are the side unique??) piece welded in.

If there is more in the pan - you will have to consider getting the pans done.

Stop it first and consider your options carefully.


Starbug - August 6th, 2004 at 02:12 PM

thanks for the suggestions, im glad its not going to be too big a job, might have a poke around the rest of the pan this weekend:)

so now instead of smelling like fuel and oil, i'll be smelling like fish.


Doug Sweetman - August 6th, 2004 at 02:18 PM

yep, learn to weld I'd say.

I'd also be looking VERY CAREFULLY elsewhere on the floorpan - it is unusual to see rust in only one spot at a time.

Definetely not a death sentence though, and as far as ease of repair, it doesnt get much easier than that location to fix.


GL1972 - August 6th, 2004 at 03:53 PM

For it to rust there I'd say water has got in somewhere around the pan seal. Have another look at the pan seal.