Hidden rust trap

[Defender110]

When swapping bumpers on my cars I was surprised to come across this hidden rust trap behind the rear bumper on what I thought was a relatively rust free 1990 TGD manual, in contrast my 1990 TGD Auto is perfect. For anyone hoping to keep their BX on the road as long as possible it may be worth wipping your bumper off (5 minuit job) to have a look and catch any rust before it spreads.

[rayfenwick]

Definitely something to look out for - thanks for the advice!

[DavidRutherford]

The rear wheelarches and rear bumper area are one of the worst areas on a BX for hidden corrosion. I've yet to see ANY BX that doesn't have at least some corrosion in this area.

Worst for it are models with the long range fuel tank. The spanning piece from the inner wing to the outer wing just behind the rear bumper extensions is often made of nothing.

[scarecrow]

Blimey - did you notice a reason for the rust?

Edit: David, you posted as I typed

[Tim Leech]

Whats to become of the TGD turbo mate?

[Defender110]

As it is my current intention to run my TGD Auto & and now my TZD as long term everyday comuters I'm pretty certain I'm just going to park it up and keep the TGD Turbo as a parts car. I've already used the N/S front wing and door. I had them painted and fitted them to the Auto.

[prm]

As the rust appears to be left and right on the rear cross member.
Would have thought this was due to the seam drains on the box section being blocked. These very small D shaped openings act as drain points for the sun roof tubes.

They should be around the end seams, or about 3-4cms forward from the box section, on the lower edge of the inner rear wing.

Some become blocked over time, but found several hatch models were blocked from new due to excess paint. Hacksaw blade works well.

Regards

[rayfenwick]

As the rust appears to be left and right on the rear cross member.
Would have thought this was due to the seam drains on the box section being blocked. These very small D shaped openings act as drain points for the sun roof tubes.

They should be around the end seams, or about 3-4cms forward from the box section, on the lower edge of the inner rear wing.

Some become blocked over time, but found several hatch models were blocked from new due to excess paint. Hacksaw blade works well.

Well worth knowing, thanks.

[scarecrow]

Yup - I shall check mine when it comes home.

Does anyone know of a graphic detailing all of the BX drainage holes? It'd be a very useful guide.

Cheers
Steve

[prm]

I’m not sure if the all the body drain points were specifically designed as water outlets, or positioned for the manufacturing dipping/spraying process.

Would have thought any enclosed trough or box section on the shell would contain drain points.

There are 4 outlets for the sun roof tubes. Two rears and two fronts, Front drains are positioned on the small vertical sill section, above the outer tread plate, towards the front. Pattern design is very similar to the rear drains. You can extend the plastic tubes behind the rear lights and inside the front door pillars with smaller OD piping to exit via these points.
Two on the front inner wing horizontal section, were it joins the radiator front plate, right in the front corner. I’m sure this one is an assembly design, where the point of the angle is reduced where all the panels meet. N/S would possibly drain via a vacant AC dryer opening. You can drill 6mm holes approx 2-3cm away from each corner if required.

Not having owned an estate for some time. I believe there are two on the rear box cross member, where it joins the rear wings.

Three on the 16v P2 rear spoiler. A small hole in the rear wiper spindle socket.
Two on the upper edge, far left and right, to drain the trough between the spoiler and tailgate glass.
All 3 exit with small rectangular openings on the number plate vertical panel, where the spoiler and hatch meet. Probing with a cable tie top and bottom to clear, avoids damaging any paint surface.

Regards

[DavidRutherford]

I think what's more likely is that the blue car has been cared for over it's life, and only been used on major roads or in cities, whereas the white car has been used in rural locations and hence filled all the available areas with mud, cowpoop and other corrosive nasties.

I live in a very rural location and the amount of mud that I regularly pressure-wash from the wheelarches and other areas of my cars is remarkable. When I ran a BX as a daily drive, over winter I could reliably remove about a bucket-worth of mud from the rear arches every couple of weeks. It gets absolutely everywhere, and it's bad news indeed as it retains moisture, accelerating corrosion.

[Defender110]

The blue one was garaged for the first 16 years of it's life, the white one has lived on the streets of Manchester since 6 months old.

[Tim Leech]

the white one has lived on the streets of Manchester since 6 months old.

It did well to last that long then really

[Defender110]

the white one has lived on the streets of Manchester since 6 months old.

It did well to last that long then really

lol, I remeber the day Knowsley safari park opened; a conserned TV journalist asked a Safari Park spokesman what would happen if the lions escaped onto the streets of Liverpool? The reply was that unfortunately they would just have to fend for themselves until the keepers could get them safely back into their enclosurers!

[rayfenwick]

I'm now having strange images of a lion up on bricks...