Fiesta

[Bren]

With winter approaching I thought I would give my other half's 51 plate fiesta some much needed attention - both rear arches have blistered (again - I did them about two years ago) and there were some marks on the o/s sill - including an ominous bulge under the b post.

 

Touched it with the grinder, you've guessed it - straight through.

 

 

Eventually it ended up with a hole 8" x 2" wide. And lots of rust to sweep up.

 

 

A section of scrap SD1 sill was used as a repair section as it had a swage line I could use and was 16 SWG - much thicker than the ford shite.

 

 

I managed to get it welded in and cleaned up a bit in time for tea.

 

 

After taking the pick I cleaned it up some more, some primer and seam sealer were also applied - hopefully I may get some top coat on at weekend.

 

We have owned the car for 30 months and have been playing timing belt roulette - car only has 54 k on the clock, however a belt replacement is around £200, factor in the car's low value and the fact it is starting to look a bit tatty, I am not sure it is worth it.

 

We have considered a focus/ astra/ golf, but have now ruled out the focus as there seem to be too many ropey ones about - I would more than likely end up welding that as well.

[Cavcraft]

I reckon after the effort you've put into the sills, it'd be worth doing the cam belt too.

[Vince70]

Did the mkIV fiesta only come in metallic burgundy as I only know of two people who have fiesta mkIV's and both are the same colour as yours and both need a yearly weld up.

 

My sister inlaws fiesta won't die and it's now done over 100.000 and still on the original belt as it's also a zetec, it's also never been serviced properly and the only time it gets repaired is when it gets to Mot time so you maybe lucky regarding the belt.

[catsinthewelder]

Aye, they're nice little motors if you can keep on top of the rust. Is it a lot of faff to do the belt yourself on these?

[Mike D]

My focus had managed 129K on its original belt, zetec ones are supposedly good for 100k anyways, spin that wheeeeeel!

[lisbon_road]

Must admit perhaps it is me but I would think of welding that sill as a bit daunting and the cambelt as being a quick job. 

 

Certainly in the photos that looks a decent enough bit of upside down welding.

[phil_lihp]

The Mk4/Mk5 don't half rust, much like any Ford of that era really.  I had large holes in the sills appear from nowhere on my '98 Fiesta when it was only 7 years old, they seem to rot from the inside out.  They're still good cars if you can keep on top of the corrosion or find one that's been drowned in waxoyl.

 

Very nice work on the welding, I'd second the opinion that the cambelt should be childs play after that!

[sierraman]

You are in same position as me. Mrs Sierra has a mk4 Fiesta. Has sills welded but a bit more rotten than yours but s long as its good quality welding you could last years plating it before it comes to putting a complete new sill on.

 

The belt isn't dear and you are talking at most a few hours labour. The 1.25 isn't known for being unforgiving on belts, its 100k interval.

 

Given how silly cheap the spares are I'd keep it. The wife clouted the tail lamp. Much to my surprise a new replacement on Ebay was £15!!!!!

[drum]

Going by the pics, you turned the fester upside down to make the welding easier. Good idea