Rust under seam putty on doors

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per - 05 Apr 2004 17:29 GMT

Is this a new one?
The seam putty along the inside of the door edge seams does not appear to
seal and stick to the door as expected.
Instead I suspect the putty is hygroscopic and draws moisture into the seams
instead of protecting them on my german built 2000 Focus Estate. On one door
the putty is coming loose along the full length of the door bottom, with red
rust under. The rear lid has rust bubbles coming up along the entire bottom
edge, on the inside.
I see no rust on the outside of the car. What do you think?
/per

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Andy Cunningham - 05 Apr 2004 20:20 GMT

>I see no rust on the outside of the car. What do you think?

Hej Per!

This is a known problem on earlier Focus models. A couple of months
ago I discovered the same thing on all my doors: rust coming through
around and above the sealant. It took it to Kindwalls in Stockholm
where I had bought the car and was prepared for an argument. But
before I'd even had a chance to complain and say "ska det vara så
här!" the guy said " no problem sir this is a manufacturing fault and
Ford will pay for the repairs".

It turns out that tens of thousands of doors and boot lids were sealed
with the wrong sealant resulting in trapped moisture and rust. Anyway
true to their word they've fixed all the doors and done an excellent
job of repainting them. My 5 year old Focus now looks like new again
and all those annoying door opening scratches from the Ikea/Ica car
park are gone!

So get down to your Ford dealer and get it fixed on them.

Andy

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Andy Cunningham
Stockholm, Sweden

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Dublevay - 05 Apr 2004 20:49 GMT

> <Snipety snip>

> But
> before I'd even had a chance to complain and say "ska det vara s?
> h?r!" the guy said " no problem sir this is a manufacturing fault and
> Ford will pay for the repairs".

Same here. My UK 2000 model Focus saloon had an 'overbaked' seal on the
passenger door. I was prepared for a hard time, but after a week or so, was
told that the whole door would be replaced, as it was a known fault. I just
hope the other doors don't go the same way. Though tha anti-corrosion
warranty should cover that, and that lasts six years as far as I know.

JW

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Paul Giverin - 05 Apr 2004 21:12 GMT

>Same here. My UK 2000 model Focus saloon had an 'overbaked' seal on the
>passenger door. I was prepared for a hard time, but after a week or so, was
>told that the whole door would be replaced, as it was a known fault. I just
>hope the other doors don't go the same way. Though tha anti-corrosion
>warranty should cover that, and that lasts six years as far as I know.

Its 12 years on the Focus.

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Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website http://www.britjet.co.uk

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mark schofield - 05 Apr 2004 22:31 GMT

is this a problem on 2001 hatchbacks in the US? I'll take a look at the
mentioned areas and see what I find. TIA Mark S.

> Is this a new one?
> The seam putty along the inside of the door edge seams does not appear to
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> I see no rust on the outside of the car. What do you think?
> /per

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Listen - 05 Apr 2004 23:16 GMT

Focus is in for tailgate respray today (Monday). Mid afternoon I get call
from the dealer telling me that it has rusted from the inside along the
bottom seam, as well as by the coachwork, so they will be replacing the
whole thing.

Seems to be the same issue

> Is this a new one?
> The seam putty along the inside of the door edge seams does not appear to
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> I see no rust on the outside of the car. What do you think?
> /per

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