IS IT A COMMON FAULT FOR SILLS TO RUST UNDER PLASTIC COVER ON MK3 GOLF?

[Britman]

on one side it is fine but on other side if push it it crakles, looks like it may of come away by few mm but not noticeable but i expect its all rusty under them as wayter runs in, seam like a poor design to me do lots of mk3 have this mines a 97 r plate GTI 16V, i know my j plate had loads and was all uneven and coming away and bubble marks under the plastic

im on about the seal plastic cover that runs allong outer side on side of car under doors,
thanks

[R98 HUF]

My cover is cracked but havent checke dfor rust under it yet, have a new 1 ordered will check when i take the old 1 off and let you know my findings, mines 1 98 GTi 8v

[[han]]

my little bro's mk3 failed it's mot on rot on sill.. but that waws cos some tit had jacked it up incorrectly damaging the sill and causing rust to form.

I guess anywhere water can sit (e.g under plastic arches, sills etc) is likely to form rust. especially as mk3's are now a good few years old!

Hope the damage isn't too bad!

[houston]

are you on about the sills or the skirts?

skirts its cos theres a metal band that goes through them which has no weather protection, just buy a replacement outer skirt, think there about 20-30 quid from vag.

if its sills your on about then any car will have them go rotten if there not cleaned and maintained, muddy fields are a good cause!

[kuk sool]

yep my mk3 16v on a 98 plate did the same and also on mk3 8v

Common fault for supposebly a galvanised body??? i thought anything newer than a 96 had no problems with rust??

[R98 HUF]

Dont the nearside sill trim (top) yesterday as old one had a large crck in it!!!

Cost £25 new and had it fitted in 5 minutes and to my surprise no rust what so ever!!!!!

[kells]

well my 93 car has zero rust on its sills, it has the bubling effect thing behind the trim covers as most do but u can hardly tell, like houston said just buy new ones for around 30 quid a side if its doing your head in.i personally aint fussed about it.

i painted my sills (the bits that stick downwards under the skirt along the chassis) with black satin hammerite just to protect them for the rest of its life, but i was very pleased their was no rust their at all, infact the underside of the car is perfect , i think it all depends on how hard of life the car has had and if they have been kept free from crap that holds moisture and wet.those plastic skirts dont help as they hold crap behind them...

another thing, always make sure u wash and remove any muck from under the arches as a build up their will also eventually help cause rust/rot

[Britman]

well my 93 car has zero rust on its sills, it has the bubling effect thing behind the trim covers as most do but u can hardly tell, like houston said just buy new ones for around 30 quid a side if its doing your head in.i personally aint fussed about it.

i painted my sills (the bits that stick downwards under the skirt along the chassis) with black satin hammerite just to protect them for the rest of its life, but i was very pleased their was no rust their at all, infact the underside of the car is perfect , i think it all depends on how hard of life the car has had and if they have been kept free from crap that holds moisture and wet.those plastic skirts dont help as they hold crap behind them...

another thing, always make sure u wash and remove any muck from under the arches as a build up their will also eventually help cause rust/rot

thank a lot everyone yes its only the covers than are rusty underneath i didnt notice they clipped off feels a bit stupid now