FJ / FE / FC

1953-1960 / Sedan / Coupe / Australia

All FJ / FE / FC problems All workshop issues

Common Body

Lower Guard (Fender) Rot

Symptoms

Bubbling paint, visible rust, perforation along the lower edges of the front and rear guards.

Cause

The lower guards trap road spray between the inner and outer skins. Mud and moisture sit against the metal and cause rust from the inside out. The guards' curved shape makes drainage poor.

Fix

Reproduction outer guard sections are available for the FJ and FC.

A skilled panel beater can cut out the rotted section and weld in new metal.

Budget $500-1,500 per guard for a proper repair.

Do not bog over guard rust, it always comes back.

Cost mentioned in fix

Budget $500-1,500 per guard

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// More FJ / FE / FC problems

Other known issues

Critical Body

Floor Pan Rust

Visible rust perforation on the underside of the floor. Soft or spongy metal when prodded. In severe cases, you can see daylight through the floor from inside the car.

Common Body

Windscreen Seal Deterioration

Water leaks into the cabin during rain. Rust develops under the windscreen rubber and around the windscreen frame.

Common Engine, Grey Motor (132.5ci / 2.17L Flathead Six)

Worn Bearings and Low Oil Pressure

Oil pressure drops below 20 psi at idle when hot. Knocking noise from the bottom end, particularly under load. May also develop a deep rumble at idle.

Common Engine, Grey Motor (132.5ci / 2.17L Flathead Six)

Valve Seat Recession

Gradual loss of compression, rough running, tapping noise from the engine that gets worse over time. May develop a misfire.

Critical Engine, Grey Motor (132.5ci / 2.17L Flathead Six)

Overheating in Modern Traffic

Temperature gauge climbs or the engine boils over in slow traffic or on hot days.

Common Engine, Grey Motor (132.5ci / 2.17L Flathead Six)

Fuel Pump Failure

Engine stalls, won't restart, or runs inconsistently. Fuel starvation symptoms, the engine dies under load but may restart after sitting for a few minutes.

View all 17 FJ / FE / FC problems