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I looked for the perfect 2002 SSEI. Gray with black interior. I would have settled for higher mileage, but I did get one with 97,000. It has had some mechanical issues, but all of them have been within my realm of expertise.

I was especially interested in finding one that did not have the paint problem around the Gas Door. "Thought" I got that one right. Not so. Last car wash showed up with a couple of bubbles in the paint. When I push on the bubble, the paint "Sits" back down, but water does run out.

Hoping to "Nib This In The Bud", can anyone give a reasonable explaination for why these cars lost the paint arount the gas cap door? I will have the whole quarter panel painted if necessary, but that does not address a "Root" cause if there is one.

Looking forward to any response.

Thanx.

Dan

Illustrated Info
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It was only a matter of time. Everyone is doomed! Mine is bubbling. I'm at 159k. Seems like the only ones that don't do it so quick are from down south with no salt and minimal rain.

My first big bubble broke through about a month ago.

It's rust.

I'm at 197k, and no signs of it. Also no signs of water leaks, so everyone's mileage may vary...

00Beast wrote:It's rust.

I'm at 197k, and no signs of it. Also no signs of water leaks, so everyone's mileage may vary...

I despise you.......Lucky s.o.b.!

00Beast wrote:It's rust.

I'm at 197k, and no signs of it. Also no signs of water leaks, so everyone's mileage may vary...

242k on my '02 SE and no signs of it at all either.
245k on my '03 SSEi and it is rusted through really bad :(

What is so different about your guys' cars than the rest of us? (can't say you two don't get enough salt either) Do you keep your cars inside? Wash a certain area all the time?

I'm at 159k and I guarantee it has been going for at least a year. I bought my car from MN and I believe the previous owner bought it from IA.

My car spent its first 5 years in Florida, and I cannot find a single sign of a leak. That's all I can attribute it to.

My car was kept inside from 08-10, then I went off to college. I try and wash it often in the winter.

I agree with the one idea about that hole in the gas fill area being the culprit. I've always noticed the area being wet if the roads were wet when I'd get gas, but it never dawned on me that it would be a problem. If you don't have rust yet, fill that hole before you do. About 2 1/2 years ago I noticed the bubbling start. Only took a couple fall months for it to really rear it's head. Pretty much the entire area below the gas fill down to the lip of the fender is bubbled, but nothing broken through yet. Hopefully it will hold for another year or so until I trade up.