Thread: Pics of alpine window rust starting...should I worry?

the floor seems fine but the surface rust around the alpine windows would have been visible from outset.

Rust is like cancer, the earlier you treat it the better the result, just sometimes there is more lurking under caroets etc.

Get a couple of quotes, they are definately not a 1st timers sort of repair.

If mechanically the car is good, focus on the positives and fix theissues one at a time.

You are postings up tons of issues, don't panic, resolve one at a time.

This is a forum too, so see if you can contribute something to a fellow forum member also.
There must be something here you can advise on and return some favours and knowledge too.

As I said Unscrew and remove the black floor strip at the rear ...it will take you less time than to write a post .....and you never know you might be pleasantly surprised.

Originally Posted by Young Angus

Gee, it sounds like I should just sell the thing and be done with it.

It's pretty hard to get this kind of detail from the seller without buying it first, I'd need to spend hours with it and he'd need to let me completely dissect it to get photos...I can't see any seller being happy with that.

Does the floor really look like it's rusting? Those marks just look like they're dirt smudges to me. If I rub them they come off...I haven't lifted that bit in the middle of the floor though, that will be next.

Did you not go look at the vehicle angus? did you buy it sight unseen....


everything you have shown us would of been picked up within 10 mins of seeing the vehicle if you know what your looking for...
and if you don't you should always get someone that does.

a simple search on here could of helped you know what to look at on a vehicle when purchasing....most vehilces of that age have problems the experience is to know where to look

The seller saw you coming with your inexperience I think

Angus,common rust areas in the Disco,although the boot floor on yours looks fine.My Disco had the same problem with the alpine windows[still has!]but when I took the glass out it was not as bad as it first looked.I have only wire brushed it,applied rust converter and a coat of epoxy primer....vehicle has been parked up for the last 6 months.I reckon there is enough metal left to refit the glass but using some kind of sealer when refitting the rubber to keep moisture out.Originally there is no sealant between the seal and bodywork.
The Disco has faded paint on the roof and bonnet.To have these areas resprayed with the rust around the alpine windows fixed,the quote was $1500.
I am hoping to find a cheaper spray paint quote or have a go myself!
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Angus,

Don't worry, it is a forum and we all encourage people to ask questions. What you did or did not do in the past is irrelevant now. All cars of that age will have issues unless they have been in mothballs, we would all like to get one of them but then again the price will also reflect the condition of the vehicle.

First determine how long you want to keep the car for. Then you should have a better idea of how much you can spend on it.

Take the roof bars off and go and get some quotes on fixing the rust in the alpine windows, your floor looks to be as dry as a bone and the oil leaks are all things you can work on yourself.

All cars that have more than 10 years on them will have things that will need attention unless you have an exceptional vehicle.

The drive train is something you should be looking at if the vehicle has a few km on it.

Thanks guys I'm just getting a bit panicky about things I think because I'm worried, but I just spent some time ripping weeds out of the back yard so I'm a bit calmer now

I checked out the vehicle but I didn't have a clue what I was looking for and my friend just advised me that it was an "honest car"...not the best and not the worst. And that's probably not far from the truth. I'll get around to taking off that black strip in the back (you mean the one right at the back right? where the carpet tucks under?) but as some of you have said the rest of the back looks dry and even the dirty bits just come straight off with a bit of spit and a rub so it's just a bit grubby. I really love the Discos so hopefully with a bit more understanding on my part and some TLC she'll be a keeper because I love the way she drives and looks and feels. I'm a bit happier knowing that there is nothing horrible in the rear cargo floor...touch wood until I get that black plastic strip off

But you're absolutely right I did not know what I was looking at and I couldn't organize to have an expert look at it so I'll take it on the chin if there are issues with it...doesn't mean I won't ask you guys how to fix them though! Part of me loves the idea of having something like this I need to work on from time to time, that way I really get to know the car and we'll become the best of friends I've just gotta watch the wife because I'm ****ing her off a bit I think with the amount of time spent looking into this car and taking bits off it...she thinks I've got problems :S

Truth be told I was so excited about buying it that I probably would have got it anyway...unless there were some big rust holes in the floor. I don't expect a 12 year old car to be perfect, but I'm looking forward to having a bit of fun trying to get it as close to perfect as I can and maybe learning something in the meantime.

And sorry I don't yet have much to contribute, I have never been much of a mechanic but if I see something I can comment on (like the brake booster thing...think that was my thread anyway lol) then I'll get stuck in. If any of you want to know anything about guitars, music or fitness I'll be more than happy to offer heaps up for you! The only cars I've had experience with are old Fords with carbys and NO COMPUTERS!!! God bless that old car, although being 40+ years old it had other things that were going on with it and the rust in that thing...well...HAHAHAHA compared to that my Disco and its alpine windows are a piece of cake!

Y angus, not to panic, a car that age and if it has been used is going to show up some things. All is not lost and they can be repaired.
I had a panic attack when I lifted the carpet in the passenger foot well and discovered a hole at the transmission tunnel. The A/C drain plug ( commonly gets blocked on Discos) and it rusted a hole.
I cut it out and repaired it with a piece of metal then coated the entire inside passenger compartment with that auto underbody black bitumen paint. Did both over the inside of patch and underneath the vehicle It took a week for the tar smell to go from the cabin, but 8 years on it's still sound and rust free.

Now that sounds like a good way to ward off any thoughts of rust...are Discos made out of Aluminium or is it only the Defenders? Or neither? Someone said they were made from Aluminium and hence do not rust as much in general...