Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi All

We have been servicing Dolly the Traveller today and as well as an oil change and the usual stuff have had her jacked up first front then back changing brake shoes and doing a lot of general greasing. She seems to be taking water in *somewhere* which is running into the area I would describe as the outer box section of the floor panel which runs between the rear spring hanger all the way down to the front wheel arch. When she was jacked up either front or rear the water escaped and formed quite a little pool on the floor of the garage! This is only on the nearside though, there were no signs of any in the offside. As Dolly was washed thoroughly a few days ago and rinsed with the hose pipe we think it was then the water got in as the escaping water was clear and contained no rust whatsoever. Where do you think this water could be getting in?

Ruth

There are many places through which water can penetrate on a
Minor, from the window rubbers downwards! I would start by
thoroughly clearing out the various drain holes in both the sills
and the doors while you are at it. I also wouldn't,personally,
ever wash a Minor using any sort of pressure hose. The long
outrigger box sections you describe are probably the sills and
they can take in water from the front ,where they meet the
rear end of the front wheelarches, and from the rear wheelarches
and/or the rear and side windows(2 door). Check the floor area,
if that is wet then you MUST identify the water source because it
will rot very quickly.

Willie wrote:There are many places through which water can penetrate on a
Minor, from the window rubbers downwards! I would start by
thoroughly clearing out the various drain holes in both the sills
and the doors while you are at it. I also wouldn't,personally,
ever wash a Minor using any sort of pressure hose. The long
outrigger box sections you describe are probably the sills and
they can take in water from the front ,where they meet the
rear end of the front wheelarches, and from the rear wheelarches
and/or the rear and side windows(2 door). Check the floor area,
if that is wet then you MUST identify the water source because it
will rot very quickly.

Many thanks Willie

We are in the process of clearing the drain holes today, it seems there were a few blocked ones We have dried all the areas we can think of and will do a few tests for water ingress. Rest assured we wouldn't use a pressure hose either on poor Dolly!

Thanks

Ruth

There have been a lot of cheaper repair panels used that don't even have drain holes so don't be afraid to use a 6 to 10mm drill and add some at all the low points - just be careful not to get water in the drill whilst you do it!!

One comon area for water to collect is the box section under the rear seat. If you are lucky the water will drain into the raer footwell and although it doesn't stop the rot, this way you will be aware that there is a problem!
As the spring hanger sits here and this area nearly always rots it is an important area to consider. I've added drain holes here on a few cars as well as extra drin holes in the sills.

rayofleamington wrote: so don't be afraid to use a 6 to 10mm drill and add some at all the low points - just be careful not to get water in the drill whilst you do it!!





One comon area for water to collect is the box section under the rear seat. If you are lucky the water will drain into the raer footwell and although it doesn't stop the rot, this way you will be aware that there is a problem!
As the spring hanger sits here and this area nearly always rots it is an important area to consider. I've added drain holes here on a few cars as well as extra drin holes in the sills.

Do the holes need to stay open all the time Ray or would you fit them with a rubber bung and remove themn on a regular basis

Thanks will pay particular attention to the area you mention.

Ruth

NO, do not block up the holes, providing that they are facing DOWN
WARDS, there are not nearly enough on
a Minor and they should be open at all times. Even the standard
ones are too small. Apart from RAYS' suggestion you could consider
about four extra holes in the rearmost lower floor of the boot as that
is a common leakage point with no drainage at all.( I mean in the
lowest area beneath the boot lid).

the rearmost lower floor of the boot

Wise advice - if water collects in the boot floor it then fills up the rear chassis extensions - making the rear shackle pin area corrode away (where the spring attatches!)

rayofleamington wrote:

the rearmost lower floor of the boot

Wise advice - if water collects in the boot floor it then fills up the rear chassis extensions - making the rear shackle pin area corrode away (where the spring attatches!)

Which area of my Traveller would compare to the parts of the saloon you mention please?

Ruth

Looking at where Molly has rusted most, I'm thinking of putting some holes
a) at the lowest edge of the box section under the rear seats, forward of the spring hanger
b) just rear of the spring hanger (in the boot floor)
c) in the corner of the rear floor at the back corner of the wheel arch.

Does any one with more experience of travellers have any other suggestions. I don't want to have gone through 12 months of welding, without taking as many precautions as possible to stop thr rot happening again.

Hi All

I have referred to our local MOT man and he has explained that the area where holes may be drilled in floors/sills etc should be very much restricted or the vehicle may fail it's MOT!

Ruth

I have referred to our local MOT man and he has explained that the area where holes may be drilled in floors/sills etc should be very much restricted or the vehicle may fail it's MOT!

Yes - MOT men are not graduate engineers with experience in automotive design. However you don't want to turn your floor and sills into a collander!

Which area of my Traveller would compare to the parts of the saloon you mention please?

Regarding the floorpan of a saloon and a traveller - they are pretty much the same from underneath. The traveller has a different shaped rear wheel arch and boot floor but despite the different shape all the serios bits are in the same place (boxing plates, spring mounts etc..)
The internal design of the sills is slightly different at the rear end where the wood mounts and also at the boot where the rear pillars mount the traveller has some extra structure to make it a bit less floppy.

A few extra holes in the right places should not cause problems, it can also be useful to take the car for a quick run after washing as this will also help dry things off.