General Rescued Panda!

[pooroldcodger]

Arc welders are no good for thin steel, you will blow the metal to nothing. Something like this is what you need: http://www.weldequip.com/clarke-160tm.htm

Have a good look on this site, the tutorials helped me alot:
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/

What would be the technique for repairing the seam between the boot floor and the side wall? View attachment 114715
Is it cut out the seam, some from the floor and some from the side wall to make the seam bigger, and then weld a patch in, or something else?
Is it best done from the inside or the outside?
Is that area regarded as being close to the fuel filler pipe and tank to require it all to be removed?
I apologise to the experts here for the beginner's questions, but I am trying to get a plan in place for whether I could eventually tackle this sort of job (after lots of practice) or not.

 

[panda panda]

What would be the technique for repairing the seam between the boot floor and the side wall? View attachment 114715
Is it cut out the seam, some from the floor and some from the side wall to make the seam bigger, and then weld a patch in, or something else?
Is it best done from the inside or the outside?
Is that area regarded as being close to the fuel filler pipe and tank to require it all to be removed?
I apologise to the experts here for the beginner's questions, but I am trying to get a plan in place for whether I could eventually tackle this sort of job (after lots of practice) or not.

I am interested in the reply to this as Fizzle is going the same way unfortunately

 

[pooroldcodger]

I am sure plenty of people have come across the problem as it seems to be common.

 

[panda1408]

Had to do this on my sisley, the proper way to do it is too cut the inner arch away to enable access to the edge of the boot floor, repair that as necessary, then make a new section of inner arch and weld it in. The chassis rail is thicker so that should be OK, all 3 sections should be plug welded together

 

[panda panda]

Have you got all that codge?

Once you've done yours, I'll bring mine round

 

[pooroldcodger]

Well I understand what he means, but that's the easy bit!
Also he didn't mention whether the fuel tank and filler pipes need removing. I don't know how close you can safely get to that stuff with welding.

 

[panda panda]

better safe than sorry, I'd say take it off, especially as it;s plastic.

 

[panda1408]

It depends how far forward the rust is, if its at the back end or middle of the wheel arch you will be fine with it in place, however you will probably find it is worse than you think once you start cutting. I had to remove it on my Sisley as I had to do the entire length of the inner arch, annoylingly I didn't take any photos as I was doing it.

 

[panda1408]

Once you've done yours, I'll bring mine round

I would be happy to have a look at yours, unfortunately work and having 4 of my own cars means I don't get much time spare.

 

[panda panda]

I would be happy to have a look at yours, unfortunately work and having 4 of my own cars means I don't get much time spare.

That's alright, I think Codge needs the practise

 

[pooroldcodger]

I certainly do! But on the other hand, Leek is nearer to me than York!

 

[pooroldcodger]

I took the air box off Belladonna today with the intention of checking the breather pipes and checking the plugs out. No point in fitting new ones yet as it can't go anywhere!
I found that the big breather pipe from the rocker cover to the air box was completely plugged up with a big lump of what looked like wire wool. Strange?
I also found that plug 2 in particular (2nd from the left as you stand in front of the car) was dripping with oil.
I need to replace the rocker cover gasket as there is a bit of oil about.
I am wondering if the blocked breather and the oily plugs are connected?
Of course the car hasn't had a proper run for about 9 months I reckon. (3 monts with me and 6 with the previous owner.

 

[onemanmade]

I took the air box off Belladonna today with the intention of checking the breather pipes and checking the plugs out. No point in fitting new ones yet as it can't go anywhere!
I found that the big breather pipe from the rocker cover to the air box was completely plugged up with a big lump of what looked like wire wool. Strange?
I also found that plug 2 in particular (2nd from the left as you stand in front of the car) was dripping with oil.
I need to replace the rocker cover gasket as there is a bit of oil about.
I am wondering if the blocked breather and the oily plugs are connected?
Of course the car hasn't had a proper run for about 9 months I reckon. (3 monts with me and 6 with the previous owner.

the "wire wool" is meant to be there give the tube a clean I just did mine.

 

[pooroldcodger]

To be honest it seemed so strange for it to be there that I was 50/50 whether it was a mistake or deliberate! Is it supposed to be some kind of a filter? It's a bit manky as they say in these parts.

 

[purple haze]

Stops a fire.....and I don't mean a fire engine..

 

[pooroldcodger]

OK thanks. Haynes manual mentions that some engines have anti back fire flame trap valve. I wasn't expecting a lump of brillo pad !
Mine is actually in 2 pieces and is very oily and a bit "mayonaisy". Is it just regular wire wool or is it something special?

 

[purple haze]

It's a spiral wire mesh...you can still buy them I think..

 

[pooroldcodger]

mine doesn't look much like a spiral or mesh! Mess yes. Mesh, no.

 

[onemanmade]

mine doesn't look much like a spiral or mesh! Mess yes. Mesh, no.

If you are worried that the tube ia not the right design or damaged, maybe get a new one off Ebay or one from a panda being broken on Ebay if you cant find one new

 

[pooroldcodger]

I cant think that the pipe was able to perfom a breathing function with that mess inside it.
What is the official name for this mesh?