Where to Look for Rust When Buying a 911

[randywebb]

Never seen a thread on this, so when I saw this outstanding example pic of rust in the front pillars, I thought I'd start a thread....





It is the current post on the 'Abandoned' cars thread.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/241262-post-pics-sad-abandoned-porsches-post3013198.html#post3013198

[randywebb]

Other places to check include the 'smile' on the bumper cars, and:

- pull headlights and check the buckets

- pull turn signals housing and check back there

- rear package shelf

- probe underside with a screwdriver, esp. by the front pan

Maybe folks would like to add pics so new buyers can be a little safer...

[Jim727]

Good thread, Randy.

Rocker panels.
Underside of doors.
Lower corners of windshield and rear window.
Fender wells at bottom where gravel and water collect.
Longhoods: front of trunk near horizontal weatherstrip.

[B D]

-Drain holes by hood shock mounts
-Metal Drain Tube from fresh air vent in to smugglers box (rusting inside out)
-Around Battery
-Gas Filler area

[Porsche_monkey]

Rear torsion tubes. When they go you've got trouble.

[warner53]

Aftermarket A/C units in smugglers box.

[Dixie]

• under the windshield gaskets at the bottom corners (or anywhere you see lumps under the gasket.)
• bottom of the door skins.
• Front bottom-ish of the rear quarters. Right around where they join the rockers.

[pozee]

Pop open the fuel door...move the protector flap out of the way, look toward the trunk.

[khamul02]

-Front of the rear wheel wells at the top of the door jams.
-Front wheel wells, In the shelf right behind the washer fluid bottle.

[Rich76_911s]

In no particular order:

1. Where the front bumper mounts to the car:



2. The wheel well, watch in-particular the area around the top of the drivers side shock tower (a hose runs along here and traps water and grime) also watch out for the area behind the cylinderical A/C component:



3. The pedal box:


4. Jack reciever area:


5. Rear seats under the cushions ( I dont have a pic of this one who - hoo)

6. Rockers / door jams



7. Battery Tray

8. Fender Joining Panel:

[khamul02]

Rich, those pix hurt!!

[afterburn 549]

A+ the bottom of the doors...there is a nasty little fold there that collects water......=rust / pus

[livi]

Thanks Randy!

I now feel a lot better leaving her in the garage for the rest of our salty winter.

[71T]

Unfortunately I have something to add. Don't forget the Longitudinal areas.

[cthtpa]

What a great asset.
Thanks for the education guys.
I'm printing it to add to collection I take to look at cars.

[Drago]

+1 on the head light and tail light buckets. Wish I would have checked there before buying. Sorry, no pic's.

[randywebb]

thank the folks that posted pics - I just kicked it off

[Dirty Marty]

From the photos on this thread, I'd say the major places are covered. One place that I've noticed on a few cars is at the bottom of the doors where the skin is welded to the door frame. Moisture gets into the seam from rain or washing and the rust starts............

As much as I'm tired of California and its over-crowding and cost of living, I see the awful things that you east coasters have to put-up with to keep your P-Cars on the road and I think I'll stay here until global warming creates a desert in Maine.

Dirty Marty
Fallbrook,CA

[DUK]

Here's a few

[khamul02]

Bump for more spots