VY issues, advice needed! Pictures included.

[vyacclaim2]

G'day, I'm new here!

My series 2 VY Acclaim wagon has provided me with many trouble free years of service.

It is still running great, however a few issues have arisen which I want to get on top of.

I'm normally a french hot hatch specialist, so some newbie advice is needed.

Firstly some surface rust has started to appear on the left frame rail in the engine bay.

The photos make it look worse than it is, however, I want to treat it ASAP. The rail is still very solid, so the rust is not bad. I wonder how this happened? The car hasn't been in any accidents as I am the original owner. I do alot of highway driving in the wet though.

Now I know the rail is solid inside, but apparently you can get internal frame coating cans.

Anyhow, how would one treat this at home? Any ideas?






Secondly the two heater hoses that come from the fire wall meet at a junction. It is leaking. Any advice here would be great too!

Thanks in advance.

[caaf]

Hows the brake fluid level? As that'll eat through the paint quick smart if not washed off.. Mind considering that the coolant seems to be leaking away, that stuff is like sugar soap.. Without pulling your hose's off I think you should just purchase a new heater flow regulator and/or associated hoses (If they look even slightly dodgy). After you fix all the leaks you'll have to treat the area with a rust inhibitor and looking at the pictures I'd go banana's with the stuff.

[Cameron P]

replace the heater tap.. costs about $25 from an auto store... and about 20-30 mins to replace also buy some coolant and do a flush at the same time.

[vyacclaim2]

Thanks for comments so far.

Can you just apply rust inhibitor or is it best to sand back the area as best you can first?

[caaf]

Follow instructions on supplied rust inhibitor product. I would clean as much as possible otherwise it'll look like a dogs breakfast :P

[Calaber]

As caaf said, brake fluid is very corrosive if left on paint. It won't affect the metal, but will leave it without any protection against surface rust. If you combine leaking brake fluid and coolant in the one spot, you'll get plenty of surface rust like you have. I think coolant is also capable of damaging paint so that leaking valve might be the only culprit.

Check the master cylinder and ABS module for any signs of leaks. As already said, it would be wise to replace any heater hoses that are looking dodgy. In particular, the hose which flares out as it fits over the water pump outlet is a known weak spot as the flared portion of the hose has thinner, weaker walls and is generally the first place to split.