In a message dated 9/9/03 1:26:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET writes:

> Because it is so common to see the left bottom of a Westy rusty and we
> should not let that happen when there is a solution for that.

want to know another easy solution to a common problem??  i posted this
before too, and i bet all of you ignored it too..   the rust that is coming from
the inside of your left westy side panel at the lower rocker seam (and possibly
along the center reinforcement brace that is directly under the westy fill
ports is it is REALLY bad)  is coming from around the FILL PORTS THEMSELVES!!
when westfalia-werke converted these incomplete vans at their weidenbruck
factory, all they do is chop 3 square holes in the side, pop a foam gasket in,
followed by the fill port receptical itself.  they dont even seal them with caulk!!
 after 10-15-20 years the foam gasket is reduced to dust, and every time it
rains or you wash the van water spills in around the edges of the fill ports
and down inside your van and the fiberglass insulation behind there acts as a
sponge, and so it never dries out.. the water sits in there being held up
against the metal and floor by the wet fiberglass insulation..  water seeks the path
of least resistance to escape, so it starts weeping out the lower horizontal
drivers side rocker seam..
the EASY solution??  CAULK the perimeters of your westy fill port inlets!!!
simple to do with regular silicone or latex household window /door exterior
caulk.. i used clear, but anything will do.      a few squirts of the caulk gun
is alot easier than welding in new sheetmetal..

so..how many of you will actually do this to prolong the life of your westy??
  hmm?

chris