26 replies to this topic

[Mirachi]

Hi all

Nice to be back

The question i have is that the outer seals on me mini have died ie nice holes in them.

The problem i am having is finding some where that can weld the new ones on and the severe budget i am on, as been outa work for a while but now back

I was wondering whether i could pump a load of fibre glass into the seal to fix it, whether it would be stong enough to hold it or whether the only way forward is to get the new seals welded on.

thanks

James

[SolarB]

Sorry to hear the seals have died and that you have to weld new ones on, I guess it's the holes that killed them. However, welding and pumping fibreglass into a dead aquatic marine mammal isn't going to fix it.

The sills are structural and need to be repaired properly. It's OK to patch them with fresh metal as long as the entire perimeter of the patch is seam welded but please don't bodge them. A new sill is probably the best thing to do if you can afford it, if not, then patch.

[cagy]

Sorry to hear the seals have died and that you have to weld new ones on, I guess it's the holes that killed them. However, welding and pumping fibreglass into a dead aquatic marine mammal isn't going to fix it.

The sills are structural and need to be repaired properly. It's OK to patch them with fresh metal as long as the entire perimeter of the patch is seam welded but please don't bodge them. A new sill is probably the best thing to do if you can afford it, if not, then patch.

LOL

A new sill doesn't cost a fortune either, the most expensive is the time to fit them and DON'T go for oversills

[Mirachi]

How big a hole would you say for it to be needed to weld. the holes on there at the mo are prob 3cm long and about 2cm wide

James

[wolfie]

The question i have is that the outer seals on me mini have died ie nice holes in them.

The problem i am having is finding some where that can weld the new ones on and the severe budget i am on, as been outa work for a while but now back

I was wondering whether i could pump a load of fibre glass into the seal to fix it, whether it would be stong enough to hold it or whether the only way forward is to get the new seals welded on.

thanks

James

i take it this is a joke? one of those internet notoriety threads i really dont believe in this day and age anyone can be that stupid!

[Ethel]

If we are talking about sills, putting new ones on will be the best option in the long run. See if you can find someone who can weld them on if you do the prep work

[SolarB]

i take it this is a joke? one of those internet notoriety threads i really dont believe in this day and age anyone can be that stupid!

That's a bit strong Wolfie. Mirachi was only asking, and at least he was asking. We were all ignorant of these things once and I bet there's a few people here who have fibreglassed sills in the past.

Mirachi, if the holes really are only 2-3cm then they could be patched. However, you need to weld to good metal and as you grind back to find good metal you might discover the holes are somewhat larger. It's best to have a really good look and assess their condition properly. If not, you might end up putting multiple patches on a sill that really should have been replaced.

Edited by SolarB, 24 September 2010 - 11:53 AM.

[Ethel]

If there are holes it's highly likely the rest of the sill isn't far behind. You also need to seam weld all round the patch, there can soon be as much welding needed round patches as fitting a new sill.

[Mirachi]

This is not a joke!

just wanted to know best way to get them done, whether was an easy way.

So best way to go is new seals.

i did buy some on ebay some time ago. is there a way to check if they are covers or real seals?

james

[Ethel]

Both are fine if fitted properly. Oversills are wider, original sills end where the square bumps are - the bumps are supposed to be open on the bottom edge to act as drainage.

A real joker wouldn't ask the question.

[wolfie]

This is not a joke!
james

have to say i really am stunned, the only way to fix this properly and save yourself money in the long run is to have new sills fitted, as others have said dont fit oversills there thinner and just as much as a bodge as fibreglass imo, do it properly and do it once is the cheapest way

[mab01uk]

and I bet there's a few people here who have fibreglassed sills in the past.

It was common practice to fill and fibreglass holes in Mini sills up until the 1970's, I remember pulling out cardboard Keloggs corn flake packets from my sills which someone had filled and undersealed over for the previous MOT. I then pop riveted on some metal over sills, filled and undersealed any gaps and passed another MOT! This was a common solution when working on a budget but things were very different then with regard to safety and what was frowned upon!

[paul6266]

they aint that hard to weld on or grind off for that matter, you can prob don one in a hour easy

[wolfie]

A real joker wouldn't ask the question.

now that does make me laugh!

[sonikk4]

they aint that hard to weld on or grind off for that matter, you can prob don one in a hour easy

Very easy to say that but unless you have all of the tools including a welder, have done the job before and when you take the old sill off there is no hidden rust on the inner sill and the jacking point its better to budget for at least 2 hrs.