Rusty front arches

[flux]

I've just heard back from VW and they want a paint depth test done, so popped into the dealer to day and they have claimed its higher than it should be which suggests its been repaired once already... looks like I've hit a dead end.
To give them their due Alister fleming were very helpful and gave it a good shot.

 

[DScape]

right so I've visited SEAT in Dundee and they've taken photo's of the arches and sending them off to VW... fingers crossed.
Not holding out much hope as they said if you don't have a yearly bodywork check the warranty is void.

Has anyone actually replaced their wings? How much did it cost and did you need to have the bonnet and front resprayed to blend?

Had mine done for £230 inc. new wing. Didn't have anything blended in though, but I was getting quotes over £300 at other places.

I've got a pic somewhere, but the guy that did the job shown me the wing he took off and pointed out that there's a bit of sponge on the underside which would soak up water...then obviously cause the rusting from the inside out. Wasn't impressed.

 

[flux]

Was that for both wings or just for the one?
I've seen you can buy pre-painted wings for about £170 each online.

I've heard about the sponge bit.. why the hell is there a bit of sponge!

 

[The Seer]

Was that for both wings or just for the one?
I've seen you can buy pre-painted wings for about £170 each online.

I've heard about the sponge bit.. why the hell is there a bit of sponge!

I'd stay away from pre painted wings. Paint match could be off, the fitting will definately be off if its not V A G.

 

[SkimpyWan]

I have had exactly the same issue on my (you've guessed it) Ovni Yellow, 54' plate (2005 registered), 90,000 mile, tdi FR.

Has anyone chased any of their claims up with SEAT and got anywhere since the thread was originally started?

Below is some of the communication between myself and SEAT. They have just wriggled out of it with technicalities / loop-holes within their own warranty. I guess I'm going to have to live with it as I can't afford 2 new wings and a full respray at the moment.

SEAT's initial response:
"After perusing the photos that have been taken by Currie SEAT whom you visited, the Warranty Department have rejected the warranty claim on your vehicle under the 12 year perforation warranty. They have stated that the issue on your vehicle is not corrosion of the metal and as such have declined the claim.

I understand that the above response would be a disappointment to you and I have therefore referred to our Technical Department for a technical opinion. They have concurred the decision made by warranty and have confirmed that the issue on your vehicle is Edge and Fold Corrosion. This occurs on edges and folds on vehicles where the paint is the thinnest. This corrosion is a direct
effect of external influences affecting the paint and causing the rusting. This is therefore classed as a paint issue and not a metal issue, the paint warranty on your vehicle is only valid for 3 years and as such the repair on your vehicle would not be covered."

I then replied:
"So your advising me (and agreeing that there is a defect / corrosion) that this is as a result of poor materials / workmanship, however your using a technicality between your thin paint or a corner / edge of a panel to reject my claim?

If so, please advise me how this matter can be escalated prior to me seeking legal advice. "

SEAT's final response was:
"I was sorry to learn that you are not satisfied with my previous response.

I can confirm that I have investigated this matter further with SEAT UK Technical department, as they are the department that investigate defects on the vehicles and make warranty decisions.

Following their investigations, they have stated that on the rust on the folds and edges of the body work is caused by an
outside influence. I did not state that was a manufacturing defect or a result of poor workmanship.

The concern with the paintwork on your vehicle is not relating to the thickness of the paint but is related to an outside
influence that has caused the paint to chip away. This has in turn led to rust which is a natural phenomenon and is not caused by a manufacturing defect.

SEAT Customer Care can not over rule a decision made by warranty and we abide by the decisions that they make.

If you are unhappy with the decision that has been made, the only way that this can be investigated further is to have an
inspection completed by a company called PVWI. They are an independent paint specialist and they are not owned or affiliated with SEAT UK. If they diagnose that this concern is caused by anti-perforation, then they will submit their report to SEAT UK and the repair will be completed under warranty.

If you choose this route, you will have to arrange to have the inspection carried out and will also have to cover the cost of
the inspection. The cost of the inspection is between £130.00 and £180.00. If the inspection confirms that this is
anti-perforation warranty, SEAT UK will reimburse you the cost of the inspection and the repair will be completed under warranty.

As stated above, as I can not change a decision by the SEAT UK Warranty department, this is our full and final decision on this matter."

 

[mcd90]

I know, couldnt believe it mysel. I will try get a better picture of the bubbles but dont think i have a good enough camera to be honest. If you look up at the screen you can see them slightly.

I noticed some bubbling on my arch and obviously not thinking about it I thought it was the opposite side of what had just been repaired on my last post. Dealer is just off the phone saying that it had previously been done so upon looking up my old post it is!!!
At least I'm getting it rectified for free. Didn't expect the bubbles to appear again at all never mind 6 months.

Fail job by the painters...

 

[R7 Adam.]

Replaced wings.

I have just replaced both of my front wings! There is a number of reasons why our wings will rust here, my findings are as follows.
No 1 : The inner wheel arch plastic protectors are fixed in place by tabs on wings, these taps are a perfect design to trap dirt, crap, damp stuff etc etc.
No 2 : Between the wings and he inner arches is a large piece of foam/spong? Which soaks up water and remains damp, directly over the tap design.

In summary, damp dirt traped. Which remains damp due to the foam direct over the fixings=Rust.

Replacement was a bit of a job, but new wings will wax/oil and no foam thing should mean no more rust!

 

[DScape]

I have just replaced both of my front wings! There is a number of reasons why our wings will rust here, my findings are as follows.
No 1 : The inner wheel arch plastic protectors are fixed in place by tabs on wings, these taps are a perfect design to trap dirt, crap, damp stuff etc etc.
No 2 : Between the wings and he inner arches is a large piece of foam/spong? Which soaks up water and remains damp, directly over the tap design.

In summary, damp dirt traped. Which remains damp due to the foam direct over the fixings=Rust.

Replacement was a bit of a job, but new wings will wax/oil and no foam thing should mean no more rust!

Yeah I found the same when we replaced mine. I think the majority of it was caused by the little sponge because that's where mine was rusting and the sponge was soaked.

It's almost like Seat wanted them to rust!

For everyone's info; I got no where with Seat and replaced it myself.

 

[Vasily87]

hi guys, been browsing around in regard to the rusty wings and found this on a golf forum http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/435850.aspx does the sponge thing look the same? as it appear vw are paying out on these causing the problem through holding the damp.

 

[DScape]

hi guys, been browsing around in regard to the rusty wings and found this on a golf forum http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/435850.aspx does the sponge thing look the same? as it appear vw are paying out on these causing the problem through holding the damp.

On mine, it was a small square sponge block (50p size) at the point where it was rotting.

To be fair, it might have been used to hold on the additional sound deadening.

 

[cupra.al]

now im back in an ibiza i will have my arch liners out and remove the sponge things.
any other suggestions to do under there while the liner is out other than a good clean of debris etc.

 

[krussel]

now im back in an ibiza i will have my arch liners out and remove the sponge things.
any other suggestions to do under there while the liner is out other than a good clean of debris etc.

Having read this i will do the same and remove the sponge. I will then bush on some thick Waxoyl to be sure.

I wont get round to mine till the weather improves (prob june then ) If you doe yours first take some pics guy.

I will upload some pics when i do mine.

 

[cupra.al]

Having read this i will do the same and remove the sponge. I will then bush on some thick Waxoyl to be sure.

I wont get round to mine till the weather improves (prob june then ) If you doe yours first take some pics guy.

I will upload some pics when i do mine.

will do mate i shall be waiting for the better weather too.

 

[Razzario]

one of my foam things had come loose and was rattling around in the wing. I pulled the full thing out through the side repeater hole! I do remember thinking "why the hell is there a sponge in the wing, thats just stupid". Having read this i'll remove the other one today and get busy with the waxoyl.

 

[krussel]

Yep prevention is always better (and a lot bloody cheaper) than a cure

 

[Cuffy]

Guess what..

06 FR Tdi 65k, small bubbling on the middle of the wheel arch drivers side. After reading this I bet it down to the foam/sponge.

Quotes £250 to fix. (6 1/2 hrs labour)

 

[Lowe]

I'm surprised there isn't more of a market for fibreglass replacement wings. I'd buy them in a heartbeat to solve all this, not to mention save a bit of weight on the front end.

 

[Orion1969]

And another one here 04 FR TDi drivers wing starting to bubble & also drivers rear lower quarter panel has had a small bubble since last yr & while im on the subject the paint has started to flake off on both wings where they meet the A pillar.

 

[Chino_UK]

All seems to be TDI? Do we think the sponges were fitted to them as sound deadening and not petrol, or have there been cases of petrol doing it too?

 

[Orion1969]

A friend who has a TDi hasn't had any problems at all (04 plate) but talking to someone at work today about it and a friend of his has a petrol FR and his rear arches are in a bad way, fronts are ok though.