Thread: Rust under brand new 90

Originally Posted by Coffee

Hi all, first post here.

I just picked up a brand new 90. Have been looking forward to this for a long time.

It has only been driven back to my garage from the dealer in the dry. So only 50km on the clock. I had a look underneath, out of curiosity. Only to find there is rust everywhere! Spots of rust, patches of rust.

This can't be right, it's pretty depressing to see. Any tips for when I contact the dealer.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers

Moist salt laden air during the trip out from the UK, probably is the culprit, condensing on unpainted surfaces soon causes rust.
light rust can be steam cleaned off, but the bare surfaces must then be treated and painted to ensure protection from the elements.
My approach to this problem, would be not to confront your dealer but instead share the disapointment of your find with them, to keep them on side.

Cheers and good luck Arthur

Yes I was little surprised as well. Rust on the diff housing, drive shafts and a few other bits. Kind of concluded it is only surface rust, and even untreated it would take a long time to do any damage if any.
Welcome to the Land Rover experience, it's quite unique.

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Moist salt laden air during the trip out from the UK, probably is the culprit, condensing on unpainted surfaces soon causes rust.
light rust can be steam cleaned off, but the bare surfaces must then be treated and painted to ensure protection from the elements.
My approach to this problem, would be not to confront your dealer but instead share the disapointment of your find with them, to keep them on side.

Cheers and good luck Arthur

Agreed, no dramas with the dealer as they have been good to deal with so far. I'm just surprised, as I guess this would be a warranty issue, as most cars have a corrosion check throughout their early years.

I definitely want it gone, because I love everything else about this beast

Originally Posted by newhue

Welcome to the Land Rover experience, it's quite unique.

That made me laugh, and brought the smile back to my face.

I have worked in pd dep over many years for Nissan, Toyota, Ford, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, Jeep, Subaru, Porsche and Bentley. They all have rust. Jeep is the worst out of the lot - rust on cast iron is not a problem only rust on the thin stuff is. Landrovers are not that bad please don't be sad just treat it with por 15. Do it now and you will be ok i would pull up the mats and treat all the seams and cavity wax is your best mate

Originally Posted by Coffee

Hi all, first post here.

I just picked up a brand new 90. Have been looking forward to this for a long time.

It has only been driven back to my garage from the dealer in the dry. So only 50km on the clock. I had a look underneath, out of curiosity. Only to find there is rust everywhere! Spots of rust, patches of rust.

This can't be right, it's pretty depressing to see. Any tips for when I contact the dealer.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers

Nothing much has changed over the decades then ? I used to see rust on new series 3s at Fiske Motors Melb back in the 1980's.
I've heard they come across from the UK as deck cargo on submarines.
Wagoo.

Actually MR LSD raises a good point about pulling up the floor matts. Have a good look near the A pillar and around the interior with a vacum cleaner. I found metal sworf under the front matts, along the door sills, and indise the panel work behind the rear doors on my 130.

LRA have been made aware of this issue on the Defenders, if you are concerned talk to your dealer....

Slightly OT but I just bought a 130 ('99 model) that is fitted with one of those electronic rust prevention jobbies (PM me if you want the brand name). I've always wondered how effective these are - now I know... There is little bits an pieces of rust specks here and there on the steel parts - nothing serious and certainly to be expected on cars on the coast that are 10 years old - but bottom line is that the rust prevention magic box is doing stuff all on this car...YMMV.

Cheers,

Adam