common rust areas for C4's
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
thanks for the replies. i was wondering about this because im not sure if i want to find an old practically abandoned C4 with a straight body for cheap and redo it from the ground up OR just buy one with decent miles that has been taken care of for about $8-10k. if these cars had rust issues i would do the latter
btw im 6'1 and 155 lbs and i seem to fit fine, i just need to recline the seat to see thru the windshield. ive been in a few that come into the shop and i always seem to scuff my shoe against that panel...not sure what its called but heres a pic (btw thats NOT me in the pic, its just a random one off the net)
btw im 6'1 and 155 lbs and i seem to fit fine, i just need to recline the seat to see thru the windshield. ive been in a few that come into the shop and i always seem to scuff my shoe against that panel...not sure what its called but heres a pic (btw thats NOT me in the pic, its just a random one off the net)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: MidOhio
C4's have hot-dipped galvanized frames; none earlier did. The fuel and brake lines are "terne" plated like steel gas tanks (basically also a zinc coating) but will rust eventually, usually first at the frame mounting clamps and at the fittings. The lines are not normally easy to replace so it pays to clean and paint when any rust is evident. Also the gas tank steel shell is prone to rust at the flat seam welds (look behind the license plate). Clean and paint with a zinc-rich paint is a good fix. All the steel fasteners in contact with aluminum are epoxy coated to prevent galvanic corrosion. If the fastener is rusted it may be corroding the alum part more (alum is the sacrificial anode). Bolts are cheap compared to aluminum parts. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,551
Likes: 36
From: Jenks OK
fuel lines, exhaust and bolts, every damned bolt... Only reason I don't have more done on my car is because of rust on the bolts. If you get one with some rust on it invest in a penetrating lube and do a few curls first. Other then that, the rest cleans up rather nicely.
Last edited by dclafleur; Jul 8, 2007 at 11:02 PM. Reason: I'm tired typed fuel rails instead of fuel lines.
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
hey guys i know C4's are made mostly from aluminum and fiberglass, but some parts of the frame are steel. how prone are these areas for rust? im talking mostly about cars that are left outside all the time. Was undercoating an option? are there hidden areas these cars can rust?
and another thing thats totally unrelated...if you have a size 11 shoe, is it possible to get in and out of these cars without your shoe hitting something? so far i havent been able to do it without looking totally rediculous
and another thing thats totally unrelated...if you have a size 11 shoe, is it possible to get in and out of these cars without your shoe hitting something? so far i havent been able to do it without looking totally rediculous
About your shoes...you think yours are bad, I wear size 13s. Its horrible.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 646
Likes: 72
From: EAST TEXAS
When I bought my 93 Ruby with about 18K miles on it six years ago it looked almost showroom perfect. But I discovered one disturbing thing after I got it over my grease pit and started looking throughly. At some point in its life a battery had apparantly been overfilled and/or overcharged as acid had dripped down onto the frame. From what I could tell no structural damage resulted but it had removed the paint from the frame and rust had started. I cleaned it as best as I could with spray on battery cleaner, a wire brush, and water and repainted it. Might be worth a look.
I am 6 ft. and 250 lbs, so yes it is not graceful for me to get in and out, although once I am in the car it is roomy enough and not uncomfortable. Ive had It on several 3-4 day trips with my wife and really enjoy it for road use. Plus it gets much better mileage than our Tahoe.
I also have 06 C6 and there is really not that much improvement in the ingress/egress situation with it. It's lower sill height requires a different method than the C4, but it is still not easy for me.
I am 6 ft. and 250 lbs, so yes it is not graceful for me to get in and out, although once I am in the car it is roomy enough and not uncomfortable. Ive had It on several 3-4 day trips with my wife and really enjoy it for road use. Plus it gets much better mileage than our Tahoe.
I also have 06 C6 and there is really not that much improvement in the ingress/egress situation with it. It's lower sill height requires a different method than the C4, but it is still not easy for me.
