Skylines and rust?

[5705]

Thought I'd ask here before joining one or other of the umpteen Skyline forums...

Am thinking about buying another Skyline (had one in '99). Likely to be a R32 or R33 GT-R. Having lurked on the forums and looked at PH/Ebay ads I was surprised to see rust cropping up on so many cars. In some stange places, too - such as the relatively flat areas near the front suspension mounts.

Alarming?

I had presumed that any imported cars with poor SVA/UK preparation might suffer, but I thought that would affect the sills, arches, etc. Not under the bonnet!?

Do they need a thorough corrosion check elsewhere, too?

[vatanen]

The rusting of the suspension mounts seems to have affected R33s, I don't recall seeing a 32 with these problems.

There are a few threads on the GTROC talking about this issue:
http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/119637-r33-gtr-rust-com...

My 32 is quite clean, thought I did have a problem with the rear arches due to the lip and the rear mudguards collecting water and debris from the road. If you go for a 32, check under the rear mudguards (spats, or whatever they're called behind the back wheel) and in the boot, in the wheel well.

All the best with the choice, though the real Godzilla is the only choice!

[5705]

Thanks for the info and link. Wonder how the R33 is so prone?

R32 or R33...? Well, I prefer the rear end and haunches of the R33 (except in white - it just looks fat), but the R33's front end is a bit 'meh.' Even after Veilsiding it to look like something Darth Vader would drive.

See that there's a lovely R32 on the market; it's in a bright red that I've never seen before. Hmmm...

[GTR Cook]

Rust is prone to appear on any JDM car due to non existant under sealing in Japan.

The R33 suspesion turrets are prone in particular due to there triple layer design. The layers aren't sealed and water will get trapped between the layers and rust from the inside out.

[5705]

Thanks. Both the JDM cars I've had (R33, Eunos Roadster) were only 3yrs in the UK, so I never saw any rust. The more I look at Skyline adverts the more common it seems.

X1/9s have a triple skin for the rear suspension turrets and I've seen some quite complicated welding fixes for those. Couldn't help thinking that it would reappear at some point, because you can't treat the bit you weld in from the other side.

If only the R32 had a better looking rear-end!

[GTR Cook]

The best way to prevent it would be to wax oil inside the layers.

[5705]

I was imagining that it would burn/boil off when you welded the outer layers, leaving the inner surfaces vulnerable again?

(bloke who's never used a welder writes)

[GTR Cook]

I don't weld either but if you weld near wax oil expect to call the fire brigade- it goes up really easily.

Best bet is not to weld as this promotes rust and permanately traps any contaminants in the layers and just apply copious amounts of wax oil.

[Vixpy1]

I've got an R32 sitting here with no rust at all.

Ps, its for sale

[5705]

Vixpy1 said:

I've got an R32 sitting here with no rust at all.

Ps, its for sale

Had a quick look on your profile garage and the PH classifieds and couldn't see it (unless it's the one that used to belong to Stig Blomqvist's wife's dog groomer or whatever). Can you PM me details?

FWIW, I'm after one that's as standard as possible.

[Vixpy1]

5705 said:

Had a quick look on your profile garage and the PH classifieds and couldn't see it (unless it's the one that used to belong to Stig Blomqvist's wife's dog groomer or whatever). Can you PM me details?

FWIW, I'm after one that's as standard as possible.

Prob not for you this one then, its in quite a few bits!