Corrosion in cills

[splitpin]

I've noticed small hole under both cills just rear of front wheelarches, the edges of the holes are corroded, anyone know if these are meant to be there, if they should be plugged or if they shouldn't be there at all, thought they may be drain holes but just checking to make sure.

[Rhod]

One or two people have reported corrosion there. I don't think that there are any drain holes there, but I might be wrong - I also have some corrosion there, so hard to tell. Mine are due to be welded up in a few weeks, prior to the next MOT. My Bongo has definate signs that someone mistakenly used the cills as jacking points in it's past & the bodyshop who are going to do the welding reckoned that that could well be the reason for the corrosion, if the seam has been broken. My plan is to leave holes in the plates which are welded on so that I can backfill the cill with Waxoyl, and then fit sealing grommets.

[mikeonb4c]

My Bongo is generally very rust free, but I was shocked to discover a serious rusted through hole (very localised) on the n/s cill last year, where it joins a cross member I think. However, Wheelquick did a really good (and inexpensive) job, cleaning up the area and welding a very tidy patch over it. I had thought about asking for a 'fluted' drainhole in the middle so whatever had been lurking in there previously could hencefroth drain out. But I didn't find time (or steel, or tools) to make up a patch myself and I didn't like to disturb them doing their work. I reasoned that it would go again in the same place 15 years from now and I'd worry about it all then

[splitpin]

Thanks for replies chaps, no signs of mine being jacked of there so I can't understand how any moisture gets in, there is a drain hole under the sliding door which appears to be above cill so maybe this lets water into the nearside. Have cleaned both holes up sprayed inside liberally with waxoyl and plugged them, also removed all other grommetts under cills and sprayed inside with waxoyl and hope that will hold the rot back.
Thanks again.

[TonyBee]

Mine has just failed its MOT on this very thing. The tester said it is a common failure in Bongos.
When I bought mine the previous owner said it had been fully waxoyled and at first glance it has.
But whilst I was welding the patches on I saw that there are several rubber plugs along the inside of the sill so the lazy beggars that originally undersealed it did not take the extra couple of minutes to remove the plugs and protect the vulnerable insides.

[bigdaddycain]

There was evidence on my nearside sill that mine had been jacked up on it at some stage too, thankfully it just dented the sill, (now repaired) and didn't damage the paint, nor did it open the sill flange..thankfully!

[martin70]

Excuse the ignorance but where are the cills and has anyone any pics.
My bongo has been waxoiled but only very roughly.
Thanks again in advance.

[widdowson2008]

Undersides of the van between front and rear wheels where the van sides join the underneath.

[mikeonb4c]

here's some pics of my rust problem, before it was fixed (click on thumbnails to enlarge):

[Rhod]

Don't think I'd want to "enlarge" those Mike

The holes in my cills are a wee bit farther back, so probably linked to the jacking damage. I do wonder what caused yours to go though...

[mikeonb4c]

Don't think I'd want to "enlarge" those Mike

The holes in my cills are a wee bit farther back, so probably linked to the jacking damage. I do wonder what caused yours to go though...

Yes its weird because as far as I can see, every other part of the Bongo is in very good nick. I had an expensive underseal job done when I bought it, but it is obvious this rust 'hot spot' predated that by some time. On the plus side, it looks bad but it is very localised and - trust me - the plate Wheelquick put on it is such a nice job you'd hardly know, and ought to last for many years