Welding...

[Davehitch]

Hi guys new bongo owner here!

Looks like I have a fair bit of welding to do over the next few months,

Some I had accounted for, some nasty surprises!

Inner and outer sills,

Both sides of the chassis towards the rear are badly patched and need re doing.

Rear crossmember needs work or replacing as well.

No doubt will find more bits and bobs as I work through it!

Just a question regarding welding around the rear heater, I've read it can be tricky?

Possibly a fire hazard, so are they known to combust then?

I'm guessing it's where the pipework comes through the sill on the passenger side from memory?

Any hints and tips gratefully received!

Dave.

[Northern Bongolow]

the rear heater has plastic pipe stubs to and from it so are at obvious risk, the heater unit is mounted in a plastic case which has soft sound deadening around it too, the roof air ducting which runs from the rear heater to the roof also makes a fab chimney which helps the internals of the van catch fire really quickly

[Davehitch]

Yikes!

So if the inner sills are coming off its best to take the heater unit out for welding?

Or would it be possible with a fire watcher standing guard?

Thanks for the swift reply!

Dave.

[mikeonb4c]

Fire watcher an absolute must i think. I had Adrian at JapanDirect weld up around my rear heater, or rather his welder did the work while Adrian stood firewatch. That's how seriously he took the need for one. And that was a team familiar with the Bongo.

[Davehitch]

Many thanks, advise will be heeded!

Dave.

[mikeonb4c]

Many thanks, advise will be heeded!

Dave.

Should have stressed, Adrian didn't just watch, he had a suitable fire extinguisher at the ready.

[Northern Bongolow]

take the inner liners panel/s out just incase someone has wax oiled, but then i suppose it wouldnt need welding

[Davehitch]

Yep will be well prepared, and yes if it had been done in the first place this thread wouldn't exist!

Thanks again.

Dave.

[Bob]

CO2 Recommended.

[mikeonb4c]

Yep will be well prepared, and yes if it had been done in the first place this thread wouldn't exist!

Thanks again.

Dave.

Don't feel too bad. I had mine done using a quality service but it didn't prevent rusting at hotspots, some of which probably started before my ownership and some of which may be where the waxoyling didn't/couldn't reach