Beware of Roof Rust!

[capslayer]

I recently bought a Delica through one of the local importers. I was told that the Delica had 74 000km. Around the same time that the van arrived in Canada, I saw a very similar looking van one block from the importer I was dealing with. I stopped and went up to have a closer look. The roof of this van was very badly rusted. Condensation all through the van as well. I was shocked at how bad the condition was. I looked at the odometer and luckily the van had only 71000km. One week passed, and I was told that my van was finally ready for a test drive. I was shocked to see that my van had only 71000km on it. Naturally I was very skeptical. I point blank told the salesman what my concern was. I asked him 3 times if this van had a major roof repair on it. He finally said that some minor detailing was done to the vans exterior, but nothing major.
My van was in beautiful condition. I was very happy with the appearance. 2 months later however I remain skeptical. How could 2 of these vans with identical mileage be in the same ciy block? I almost want to remove the headliner inside to look for evidence of major rust.

The reason I am writing this is because it may give the next potential buyer the insight. Look at these things closely when you buy them. If your van is "scheduled to be ready" at a certain date. Go by your importer a week earlier and have a look around. Maybe you'll see your van before they want you to see it. Or even ask for detailed pictures of the roof and underside.

Capslayer

[quadzilla]

Capslayer - roof rust is common, particularly with the crystal lite roof. It can be fixed, but requires a major tear out of the interior and new metal should be welded or epoxied in. A few threads have discussed this and it is something that all prospective buyers and all who have bought recently should be aware of (and should be checking for). In addition to actually fixing the roof, the wet feet issue should be dealt with as well to reduce the amount of moisture in the vehicle, as well as any other moisture-related issue (such as rear window seal, windshield seal, etc).

So - where did you buy from - please provide information so others can learn from you. If your info is correct, I would be skeptical given that you were expecting a van with 74,000 km - not 71,000 km and your van may very well have had a minor touch up to make it look good.

[jessef]

There are a number of 'cubers' importer/dealers who bring in Grade 2 or lower Delica's (absolute crap - bottom of the pile at auctions for dirt cheap) and re-paint/detail them, then sell them for twice or three times what they had invested in them.

Buyer beware as they say. Especially with JDM's (Delica's, Pajero's, etc...)

[capslayer]

I don't want to say where I bought the vehicle from just because I don't know for sure if I was mislead or not. I can't ell if the headliner was removed, nor do I see any overspray anywhere on the glass roof.

Overall I am very happy with the condition of my van. It drives great, runs great, no clunks, possibly the only thing I've noticed is a minor squeek when it's cold. It could be a alternator bearing, or maybe just the belt. The noise goes away after it warms up, so no big deal.

Back to the point. The reason I posted this was for the potential buyers out there. For sure, ask for pictures of everything. This way there are no questions afterwards.

Capslayer

[Erebus]

How could 2 of these vans with identical mileage be in the same ciy block?

Depends entirely on how it was treating back in Japan, and where it lived. Look at a 5 year-old vehicle in Montreal or Ottawa (where they have winters, and lots of salt on the roads) that hasn't been looked after and was parked on the street versus a Calgary 5 year-old that isn't winter driven and regularly washed, waxed, and parked in a garage.

You would find a huge difference. When I moved to Calgary from Montreal, the first time the garage here put it up on the hoist, the mechanic looked at the underside, and said, "Oh, this car is from the east." They thought my car was really grimy, so they steam cleaned the underside of the hood and doors. What they actually did was remove the anti-rust Ziebart coating. They had never seen it, so didn't recognize it as such.

That car rusted more in the 5 years it lived in Montreal than in the subsequent 12 years in Calgary. That's how much difference location can make.

[bionic]

..mine was a grade 4B. Not a speck of rust when imported. 2 years later I'm looking at replacing metal on my Chrystal roof. Pockets of rust beginning at various panels beginning in the center...none near seams etc. These things have obviously seen some harsh elements, both chemical and natural. Acid rain and burning sun....what a combo. :(

[capslayer]

Just an update. I have since noticed signs that obvious major repairs had been done to my vehicle. Overspray, headliner removed, poor paint which is now bubbling 5 months later. I was also told that the radiator had been replaced. After nearly overheating on a couple of steep hills, I called Japanoid and asked them for the service records of the vehicle. On the record they noted that the rad was changed. This was not true. I changed the rad, and now everything is fine.

I'm not upset about rust appearing, or having to replace the rad. I am really upset that I was lied to. Bottom line, don't go to New West to buy a Delica.

Oh, and here is another funny story. While I was in the shop picking up my ride, another guy was in complaining about a bill he had to pay. He had his vehicle in to have the alternator changed a couple of months earlier ($400 +). He drove for a few weeks and started to hear a noise from the engine area. He finally brought it back to the shop where they discovered that one of the alternator bolts had fallen out. They replaced the bolt and then charged the guy 150 bucks. He asked them if it was normal for these bolts to become loose. They blew him off, and told him that it was in no way their fault and he had better pay the money. I almost said something at the time, but since I was in the process of buying a van I figured I had better just mind my business.

I do most of my own repairs. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if an alternator bolt falls out a couple of months after being changed, that it probably wasn't tightened enough. Now I can understand why I discovered a couple of bolts missing on my timing belt cover.

Don't go to New West for service and don't buy an imported vehicle from New West either.

[figmo]

One of the mechanics at Coombs Country Auto (probably the best place for Delica info and repair) said that it's wise to use a dehumidifier (plug in at night) when its humid or when camping in the van, as the moisture is trapped from the inside.

Good thought.

[marsgal42]

Don't go to New West for service and don't buy an imported vehicle from New West either.

Everybody has different experiences. I bought Gumdrop from Japanoid and have never had any problems that would be unexpected for a 15 year old used car. Their service people have always done everything right. I strongly recommend Japanoid.

Gumdrop has a few scratches on her roof (courtesy Brentwood Mall. Grrr... ), and the usual light patchy surface rust on some of the chrome. For a vehicle of this age, this is inconsequential.

...laura

[almac]

Just an update. I have since noticed signs that obvious major repairs had been done to my vehicle. Overspray, headliner removed, poor paint which is now bubbling 5 months later. I was also told that the radiator had been replaced. After nearly overheating on a couple of steep hills, I called Japanoid and asked them for the service records of the vehicle. On the record they noted that the rad was changed. This was not true. I changed the rad, and now everything is fine.

I'm not upset about rust appearing, or having to replace the rad. I am really upset that I was lied to. Bottom line, don't go to New West to buy a Delica.

Oh, and here is another funny story. While I was in the shop picking up my ride, another guy was in complaining about a bill he had to pay. He had his vehicle in to have the alternator changed a couple of months earlier ($400 +). He drove for a few weeks and started to hear a noise from the engine area. He finally brought it back to the shop where they discovered that one of the alternator bolts had fallen out. They replaced the bolt and then charged the guy 150 bucks. He asked them if it was normal for these bolts to become loose. They blew him off, and told him that it was in no way their fault and he had better pay the money. I almost said something at the time, but since I was in the process of buying a van I figured I had better just mind my business.

I do most of my own repairs. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if an alternator bolt falls out a couple of months after being changed, that it probably wasn't tightened enough. Now I can understand why I discovered a couple of bolts missing on my timing belt cover.

Don't go to New West for service and don't buy an imported vehicle from New West either.

thank you very much for the tip.
It amazes me how any business stays in business when they give poor service to their customers...
i am currently looking for a delica with LHD and won't waste my time shopping in NWest then.
I think I'd rather spend a few hundred dollars more driving further to shop, rather than a few thousand for later repairs.

thanks again