Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Webby the Bear on 17 July 2014, 21:16:24

Title: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 17 July 2014, 21:16:24
Hi guys, hope you're well! :)

My Omega's had a lot of attention of late. Me and Symes (well, Symes mostly  :D) chopped out a bunch of rust that was inboard of the rear bumper and welded in new metal; I got rid of a bunch of surface rust on my chassis legs and sills (well just the pinch welds actually... the sills under the sill covers were absolutely fine) and primed/painted/undersealed that lot; touched up a couple of little areas where the underseal was missing; in the middle of getting rid of some little surfacerust spots on the body...... painstakingly boring but the parts I have done look good. And finally when I get the money and time ill be chopping out my old wheel arches and welding in new ones. So by the end of the year she should look top draw.

One thing I've been wondering, as per the title, is I'm doing all this work and I remember posing this question before and the response pretty much was: everything body/chassis wise is repairable but obviously if the bulkhead is rusting this would of course be a massive pain to repair cos of its proximity with the engine.

Is there anything I can do or check to regarding the bulkhead to make sure it doesn't get rusty? Has anyone any experience of bulkhead rusting?

I suppose due to its snug location its not exposed to the elements and thus prob nowt to worry about but thought id pose the question anyways :)
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 17 July 2014, 21:23:08
Ps, just so I'm clear in my head when it comes to terminology I trust we're talking about this part of the car concealed by the engine in front of it...

(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee402/webbybear1/bulkhead_zps6d8869a2.jpg) (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/webbybear1/media/bulkhead_zps6d8869a2.jpg.html)

 :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 17 July 2014, 22:05:54
Got my car down to bare shell and got a large hole in the bulk head below heater fan. Just going to cut it out and plate it
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 17 July 2014, 22:09:42
This an Omega, Davey?
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 17 July 2014, 22:10:59
Yea an omega why?
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 17 July 2014, 23:24:47
I think most Omegas spray the bulkhead with oil, so nothing to worry about Webby!  :D  :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 18 July 2014, 11:59:44
Yea an omega why?

Cos I'm trying to determine whether the Omega(s) are prone to bulkhead rusting and you've just provided first evidence that they do!  :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 18 July 2014, 12:00:11
I think most Omegas spray the bulkhead with oil, so nothing to worry about Webby!  :D  :y

 ;D ;D ;D

That's a pretty fair point mate!!!!
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 18 July 2014, 12:01:12
SO.

Any way to check for this without engine out?

Thinking about it I could take the pollen filter out and get a good look down there to start with, no?
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 18 July 2014, 12:04:09
I know on mine the bulk head hole was in the inside the chassis leg but on the bulk head. Does that make sense? Easy enough from inside to repair though
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 18 July 2014, 12:06:34
I know on mine the bulk head hole was in the inside the chassis leg but on the bulk head. Does that make sense? Easy enough from inside to repair though

Yep, that makes perfect sense mate. I checked inboard of both chassis legs and they both had their original underseal on so ni rusting there. i'll have to get under the car a little bit more and look at where the legs meet the bulkhead (I'm assuming you can see this easily enough?) to see if theres any rot there too  :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: VXL V6 on 18 July 2014, 12:53:05
I'd take a look in the scrapyard and find the oldest Omega there and see where that's rotting away as a start point  :)
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 18 July 2014, 13:27:41
I'd take a look in the scrapyard and find the oldest Omega there and see where that's rotting away as a start point  :)

Yep, that's certainly an option  :y

Instead of me trying to look behind the engine.... would I be able to lift front carpets and look there (I'm thinking under the pedals..?)

As mentioned, I've no evidence that mine is rotting as I cant see it but id like to check it if poss.  :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 18 July 2014, 13:51:37
I got pics of all the rust on my car in the gallery under "rebuilding x30xe"
 most rust i have ever seen on a car
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: tigers_gonads on 18 July 2014, 14:01:31
Yea an omega why?

Cos I'm trying to determine whether the Omega(s) are prone to bulkhead rusting and you've just provided first evidence that they do!  :y



If the drains underneath the scuttle are kept clear then they should be okay.
If not then you will get rust around there
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 19 July 2014, 14:25:43
Yea an omega why?

Cos I'm trying to determine whether the Omega(s) are prone to bulkhead rusting and you've just provided first evidence that they do!  :y

Checked all in the area under the pollen filter this morning. . . Totally clear and no rusting  :y


If the drains underneath the scuttle are kept clear then they should be okay.
If not then you will get rust around there
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 19 July 2014, 15:31:12
Ps, advert I looked on your thread but could only find engine related stuff (real nice job with the component spraying btw). Do you have any pics of your bulkhead rust?  :)
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 19 July 2014, 16:30:00
Thought i put rusty pics at the end? Will check if not i get a pic up sharpish of the rust
 yea posted the pics on general help under heading "very rusty"  :-[
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 20 July 2014, 14:41:44
Thought i put rusty pics at the end? Will check if not i get a pic up sharpish of the rust
 yea posted the pics on general help under heading "very rusty"  :-[

Really sorry mate but I cant find it. Any chance of a link?
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 20 July 2014, 15:48:20
Dont know how to link will stick em on here in five
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 20 July 2014, 16:49:06
Bulkhead rust
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qta3gjjutftxzad/WP_20140720_001.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/qta3gjjutftxzad/WP_20140720_001.jpg)
Chassis leg rust
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ktj7wpfcyyv9t40/WP_20140421_003.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/ktj7wpfcyyv9t40/WP_20140421_003.jpg)
Passenger sill rust
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yxh4ul428rs3yet/WP_20140421_004.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/yxh4ul428rs3yet/WP_20140421_004.jpg)
Drivers sill rust
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ecvxumx6l8ejy5/WP_20140421_005.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ecvxumx6l8ejy5/WP_20140421_005.jpg)
Passenger rear floor under seat base
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ecvxumx6l8ejy5/WP_20140421_005.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ecvxumx6l8ejy5/WP_20140421_005.jpg)
Drivers rear boot floor
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qou22d374w0lafz/WP_20140421_007.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/qou22d374w0lafz/WP_20140421_007.jpg)
Passenger rear boot floor
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qkjnpadcijdtx8l/WP_20140421_008.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/qkjnpadcijdtx8l/WP_20140421_008.jpg)
Passenger rear arch
https://www.dropbox.com/s/b37phfm1ng1sszb/WP_20140421_009.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/b37phfm1ng1sszb/WP_20140421_009.jpg)
Drivers rear arch
https://www.dropbox.com/s/csrot2qwlvsbvpc/WP_20140421_010.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/csrot2qwlvsbvpc/WP_20140421_010.jpg)
Front crossmember
https://www.dropbox.com/s/56hn9s7xmw8w5yb/WP_20140421_011.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/56hn9s7xmw8w5yb/WP_20140421_011.jpg)

I have already replaced and repaired front crossmember and drivers and passengers chassis leg.
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Elmstoneboy on 20 July 2014, 17:44:26

Did this car live by the coast for most of its life by any chance?

Once saw a car (pre MOT days) that had hit a grass bank and pretty much
disintegrated into a pile of rust. That had apparently live by the sea most of its life.
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 20 July 2014, 17:49:14
It is definitely the most rust i have ever seen or dealt with. But most parts bought and not expensive just time consuming
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 20 July 2014, 19:58:44
Wow that's a load of rust. I had similar to your boot rust (now repaired) but nowt like the rest of yours.

Ps when you say 'front cross member' are we talking about the front subframe? soz if ive got confused :)
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 20 July 2014, 20:14:13
No. The bit that joins chassis legs at the front. That was gone, so was 9 inch of chassis legs it was attached to. Had to chop off crossmember and 9 inch sections of both chassis legs then replace crossmember. 
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 21 July 2014, 12:52:38
No. The bit that joins chassis legs at the front. That was gone, so was 9 inch of chassis legs it was attached to. Had to chop off crossmember and 9 inch sections of both chassis legs then replace crossmember.

Cross member.... is this what i know as the crash bar (2 brackets holding it on to the front of each chassis rail)?
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 21 July 2014, 13:28:44
Bit behind that again. That's bumper backing bar
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 21 July 2014, 13:41:11
Bit behind that again. That's bumper backing bar

Oh. I'll have to have a butchers. i thought it was the subframe that ''braced'' the chassis legs. never mind, ill have a look  :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 21 July 2014, 14:23:42
Will take a pic when i get home mate
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 21 July 2014, 14:41:25
Will take a pic when i get home mate

really appreciate that thanks matye. gives me more stuff to check for  :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 21 July 2014, 20:28:59
got a few pic for you mate

chassis leg all repaired
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bhcbuk06nywdpg1/WP_20140721_006.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/bhcbuk06nywdpg1/WP_20140721_006.jpg)

front crossmember and both chassis legs all repaired and shiny
https://www.dropbox.com/s/p5lv4tjvjlheov4/WP_20140721_004.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/p5lv4tjvjlheov4/WP_20140721_004.jpg)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vg509gtrutbrtkd/WP_20140721_003.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vg509gtrutbrtkd/WP_20140721_003.jpg)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zmyeasz0hbhuewx/WP_20140721_005.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/zmyeasz0hbhuewx/WP_20140721_005.jpg)

I see you got another post up looking for panels I got my arches and sills from www.carz2.co.uk I sent them a email asking what I needed and they got it sorted both sills and both arches wasn't as dear as I thought the front crossmember was 160 + vat
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 21 July 2014, 20:43:14
Legend, cheers davey. . . This picture shows exactly what I was after...

(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee402/webbybear1/imagejpg1_zps60a62d1c.jpg) (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/webbybear1/media/imagejpg1_zps60a62d1c.jpg.html)

To see that do I need to remove the splash tray thing? Or is it visible by just looking up from below?

Thanks for that link I'll check them out too.  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 21 July 2014, 20:58:20
you should be able to see it from above with the bonnet open I think.
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 21 July 2014, 21:01:10
Cheers mate  :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 21 July 2014, 21:04:33
fingers crossed yours is in much better condition than mine  :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: 05omegav6 on 21 July 2014, 21:44:18
Webby, it's what the radiators drop onto :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: drinksoptional on 22 July 2014, 01:09:57
If oil gathers then dirt and moister will too.  I had a oil leak  on my mk1 isuzu Bighorn  it had been hitting the chassi  on a part above the rear wheel it had became a trap for oil dirt and water  blocked a watwr channel . I ended up having to patch achassi .  i learnt my lesson that oil leaks  cause more damage to bodywork and chassi than help
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 22 July 2014, 13:25:45
Thanks for the info boyos!

If i find it is rusty as f*** is it welded in place or does it screw in to the chassis legs with bolts (like the front crash bar)? :)
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 22 July 2014, 13:47:15
Its spot welded all round. If its only holed you might be able to plate it.  :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: Webby the Bear on 22 July 2014, 13:53:09
Its spot welded all round. If its only holed you might be able to plate it.  :y

cheers mate - ill have a look this week!  :y :y
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: mrgreen on 22 July 2014, 20:36:38
I've got rust starting on the top of the chassis rail under the abs pump? m.o.t guy hasn't spotted it yet hopefully he won't this year either!! maybe when i get around to doing the cracked manifold swap (after 2 years!) i may address this issue! the one that really gets on my tits is the spot under the rear washer on the tailgate as that one will probably be a window out job! oh well don't know how long the old girls got left in her  although just did a 2000km roundtrip to Croatia and she didn't miss a beat.
Title: Re: Bulkhead rusting. Anyone experienced this?
Post by: davieboy0312 on 22 July 2014, 21:54:31
That's s new place for rust. Luckily i have avoided that one :P