Is this hole as bad as it seems!

Hi guys,

bought a landy that I was told was solid.
Took it all at face value over e bay and now swallowing a bitter pill.
Here’s another hole I discovered in the footwell. Shouldn’t it have failed the mot in November if it was this bad?

is this one an easy patch job?

cheers

mark.

No that is not an MOT fail as not considered structural as such. That is a very minor hole for a Defender and very simple to repair so if that is all you have I would consider yourself blessed.

ProjectX said:

Hi guys,

bought a landy that I was told was solid.
Took it all at face value over e bay and now swallowing a bitter pill.
Here’s another hole I discovered in the footwell. Shouldn’t it have failed the mot in November if it was this bad?

is this one an easy patch job?

cheers

mark.
View attachment 199126

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It actually says on an MOT, "a valid MOT certificate is no guarantee of the mechanical condition of the vehicle".

Also, I am not sure if that is a fail. It would have been under the carpet at the time of test, so not visible.
And it isn't structural, or within the required distance of a structural component. Or dangerous to the user or the public.
Sure one of the several MOT testers on the forum will clarify that.

Easy enough job to repair anyway.

I think holes must be not less than 30cm from a structural point, eg spring hanger, door hinge etc

Might be wrong tho

Thanks guys. Its just got a load of small rot holes all over really.

would I be right in saying get the rot out, filler in, then etch prime then top coat in these ones?

Weld a patch, that's not what filler is for

I would do but I’m borrowing a garage. I plan to get a welder this coming year.... I take your point- BUT will filler some in these bits temporarily as I’m in the process of spraying

ProjectX said:

I would do but I’m borrowing a garage. I plan to get a welder this coming year.... I take your point- BUT will filler some in these bits temporarily as I’m in the process of spraying

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'If a job's worth doing it's worth doing properly' comes to mind.

derwendolly said:

'If a job's worth doing it's worth doing properly' comes to mind.

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On the other hand I could be setting up a conversation for the future on landy zone if you get my rourkes drift

Sorry but the bulkhead doesn't look too great IMO, think you'll be finding a bit more rot as you investigate further.

potus said:

Sorry but the bulkhead doesn't look too great IMO, think you'll be finding a bit more rot as you investigate further.

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Lot of rot breaking through. The rusty Britpart fuel filter isn't a great sign of a much loved vehicle either.

ProjectX said:

Hi guys,

bought a landy that I was told was solid.
Took it all at face value over e bay

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I hope for your sake we're proved wrong but a land rover defender is one vehicle I would never buy without viewing.

What kennels did you get her from?

In all honesty, after reading the messages, I’ve been over her with a fine tooth comb and from my albeit limited knowledge, I can’t find any other patches of rot. The annoying thing is that the ad said that bulkhead had been replaced about 6 years ago....which looks like it hasn’t been....but the chassis looks really very good... pics here

Turboman said:

Lot of rot breaking through. The rusty Britpart fuel filter isn't a great sign of a much loved vehicle either.

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Wow, that is bad.

ProjectX said:

In all honesty, after reading the messages, I’ve been over her with a fine tooth comb and from my albeit limited knowledge, I can’t find any other patches of rot. The annoying thing is that the ad said that bulkhead had been replaced about 6 years ago....which looks like it hasn’t been....but the chassis looks really very good... pics here
View attachment 199172

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Chassis looks OK. However, the problem areas are the outriggers, the tube outriggers, and where the rear upper crossmember attaches to the chassis. You need to look at those.
That chassis has some surface rust, and looks very dry. Needs some TLC as soon as possible, or it is only going one way.

ProjectX said:

In all honesty, after reading the messages, I’ve been over her with a fine tooth comb and from my albeit limited knowledge, I can’t find any other patches of rot. The annoying thing is that the ad said that bulkhead had been replaced about 6 years ago....which looks like it hasn’t been....but the chassis looks really very good... pics here
View attachment 199172

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Pull that wading plug out of the bottom of the bell housing, it will only fill up with oil and ruin your clutch

Just because the bulkhead was replaced, that's not to say it was with a brand new one or even a very well painted and rustproofed second hand one, 6 years of UK salt ridden roads takes it toll on any vehicle let alone with serious water ingress issues built in from the factory

You need to get them leaks sealed up, don't listen to the age old excuse of "it's a land rover, they all leak oil" It's laziness and certainly not cost of parts that lets these vehicles down.

ProjectX said:

Thanks guys. Its just got a load of small rot holes all over really.

would I be right in saying get the rot out, filler in, then etch prime then top coat in these ones?

View attachment 199131

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That one bothers me a bit. Was there a lot of mud against it? If not you need to take a hammer and follow it tapping it back past the front axle, because rust there is bad news. Same the other side.

boguing said:

That one bothers me a bit. Was there a lot of mud against it? If not you need to take a hammer and follow it tapping it back past the front axle, because rust there is bad news. Same the other side.

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Thanks for this advice. Will follow through with that when I’m next at the garage which is next week.

thank you too gents for your all your input.

i looked up a great old thread on boiled linseed oil, and am going to saturate the chassis in it (obviously inside chassis and out!!!!)

This one?
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/linseed-oil-anti-rust-treatment.242113/