FTO AUSTRALIA

Is there any particular model/year/s more prone to roof (or other) rust than others , I was told today by a dealer that the late -97 on models- don't have the condensation trapping construction of the earlier cars, I note that this person was also trying to sell me a rather moody suposedly later example at the time.

The 94/95 models were prone to roof rust.

if you get the chassis number and all that you can see if it really is the year they say it is on dstocks site completefto

sunroofs are worse as well ive got a 95 sunroof getting rust fixed up but your looking at min grand to fix it so take that into account

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaargh nightmare, I also been told its a difficult fix as the roof can distort when it gets heat applied to it so putting in new tin can be problematical as well, perhaps make the hole bigger and install a Hollandia concertina slide back style, I think these are still available, wouldn't be a cheap thing to do though.

Perhaps from the roof of a deceased 911--hellooo wreckers

Anything after 1997 is safe. They did the fix in 97 (not sure when). Some pre 97 dont seem to have the issue on the surface, but youll want to remove the glue to make sure it doesnt develop later on. Sunroof models have more glue in them and it is harder to get at if there is a problem. Hope this helps

dstocks wrote:Anything after 1997 is safe.

Not true

dstocks wrote:Anything after 1997 is safe.

Gholdwayne wrote:Not true

dstocks wrote:Sunroof models have more glue in them and it is harder to get at if there is a problem.

perhaps?

Interestingly, my 94' GR with no sun roof has no glue on the roof at all.

The car was imported in 98 by Northshore Mitsubishi and owned by me ever since. Is it possible that early no sunroof FTO's didn't have glue?

I've heard of anything up to 2009 model lancers having roof rust. It aint specific to FTO's, it is to Mitsubishis.

Astron_Boy wrote:

dstocks wrote:Anything after 1997 is safe.

Gholdwayne wrote:Not true

dstocks wrote:Sunroof models have more glue in them and it is harder to get at if there is a problem.

perhaps?

Perhaps.

Bennoz wrote:I've heard of anything up to 2009 model lancers having roof rust. It aint specific to FTO's, it is to Mitsubishis.

Yea weve had a couple of lancers which has also suffered from this.

hey guys just on topic of this went to a guy today and was qouted 7.5k to fix rust in 95 sunroof model , weld holes in skirt rail , fit hood rear bar and side skirts , fix up front fenders , cut paint back and spray in 2pac paint with a change of colour so spray out side as well as door sills and inside doors ( not sure if that includes engine bay may have to ask it wasnt mentioned )

Bennoz wrote:I've heard of anything up to 2009 model lancers having roof rust. It aint specific to FTO's, it is to Mitsubishis.

yep.
RVR suffers from it, again, fixed in 97 models.
Gen 1 Magnas have it.
CC lancers, namely EVOs.

list goes on.

Well, the glue was replaced in 97. I have not heard of any FTO's after 1997 getting the roof rust issue, so its a hell of a lot safer than the pre97's are. And the sunroof models are worse not so much because they are more susceptable, but becuase if they get it its more expensive to get rid of:

- There are 4 lines of glue in sunroof models vs 2 lines in non sunroof models
- The gap between the sunroof subframe and the roof skin is too narrow to allow removal of all of the glue, so you have to drill out the spot welds and remove the subframe.

Ok so are there any measures that can be taken if I buy one, or any other owner for that matter, with no rust showing (non sunroof) to rustproof in rentrospect as it were ?

How hard is it to remove replace the roof lining ?

Theres any excellent product who's name I forget that actualy penetrates and bonds with rust to for an impervious rustprooof finish, a quick search on aussievdubbers will quckly turn up the trade name.

I suspect some older beetles owe thier existance to this stuff.

Yep, theres a guide I did on Complete FTO. Remove lining, remove the glue, neutralise and prime:

http://www.completefto.com.au/CompleteFTO.asp?hid=199

Hope this helps

Excellent thank you.

Another lesser considered rust issue which is more of an issue with jap imports in general rather than any particular type of car is underbody/chassis rail rust.

In some areas of Japan they salt the roads to lower the freezing and melting point of water. Cars that have driven in these conditions will generally spit this salty water up into wheel arches and surrounding areas.
Salt is not really the first thing you want next to metal as it is hydroscopic and attracts water, and given the right conditions will dramatically speed up the rusting process.

Judging from the FTO's I have seen the main spot to watch is on the chassis rail behind the rear wheel arch. One car I inspected when looking for FTO's was so badly rusted through I could put a key through it. The mechanic I got to look at the car said the car shouldn't have even passed rego with such a problem, and the owner genuinely seemed to have no idea he even had the issue.

dstocks wrote:Well, the glue was replaced in 97. I have not heard of any FTO's after 1997 getting the roof rust issue, so its a hell of a lot safer than the pre97's are. And the sunroof models are worse not so much because they are more susceptable, but becuase if they get it its more expensive to get rid of:

- There are 4 lines of glue in sunroof models vs 2 lines in non sunroof models
- The gap between the sunroof subframe and the roof skin is too narrow to allow removal of all of the glue, so you have to drill out the spot welds and remove the subframe.

Does the non-sunroof fto got any subframe or anything in between the roof?

Astron_Boy wrote:

Bennoz wrote:I've heard of anything up to 2009 model lancers having roof rust. It aint specific to FTO's, it is to Mitsubishis.

yep.
RVR suffers from it, again, fixed in 97 models.
Gen 1 Magnas have it.
CC lancers, namely EVOs.

list goes on.

I've got a 94 GPX which has lived in Scotland for the last 15 years. Not a spot other than the bits above the windscreen where stones have chipped through the paint.

Some of us are just luckier I guess