Is there a solution to pour in there at the hole behind the outlets to stop
rust to prevent the big job of pulling the kitchen out?
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "JM/CO" <jmerritt2@CAPECOD.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 2:26 PM
Subject: Re: CAULK YOUR WESTY h2o/ELEC. FILL PORTS!! was Re: REMOVE THOSE
HATCH PLUGS!!

> 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