Chris-
Thank you for this info. My '83 has just started this rusting and I was
wondering what was behind it. Now I can proceed to cure this.
Chuck
'83 Westy
----- Original Message -----
From: <JordanVw@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 12:16 PM
Subject: CAULK YOUR WESTY h2o/ELEC. FILL PORTS!! was Re: REMOVE THOSE HATCH
PLUGS!!

> 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