Corrosion
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
Corrosion
Over the past couple of months I have begun to see what looks like corrosion on both my alternator and alternator mounting bracket. At first it was a slight discoloration but when I popped the hood today it looked horrible. This is a 2009 model. Although I live near the water (Florida Panhandle) none of my other cars to include my 09' Tahoe show any signs of this corrosion. The car has never been up north and has never been to the beach. Thoughts?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Yeah. It's the effects of moisture and salt in the air interacting with the metal. It happens. Maybe not on your other cars, but it does happen. I've had other cars where it doesn't start to happen for many years.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
Well it looks like azz! I'm inclined to go visit the local dealership and bitch to see if it gets me anywhere. This car is pristine otherwise...6k miles and not a scratch on it and underhood is nearly spotless...except for this crap! My neighbor across the street has had his 2006 Vette here since new and his is showing no signs of corrosion after 4 years!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,296
Likes: 156
From: Location: Location: kAnSaS
i would think the dealer would warranty it out. Just because its still functional shouldnt matter. some will think thats crazy but what if your rims where doing that? they would still be functional. Just because its under the hood shouldnt matter. good luck with it
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: WA
I live in Wasington state.
My home is on the Puget
Sound and the garage is
about 120' from the salt water.
my 07 is 2 1/2 years old and
I have a slight coating of what
you have. If you think that is
bad, look under the car at all
the aluminium parts, they will be worse.
Once they get any pitting, it seems
impossible to restore those parts.
On the other hand, my wifes 05 Camary SE
has no signs of this..anywhere on the car.
If you or anyone else has an answer
let me know.
My home is on the Puget
Sound and the garage is
about 120' from the salt water.
my 07 is 2 1/2 years old and
I have a slight coating of what
you have. If you think that is
bad, look under the car at all
the aluminium parts, they will be worse.
Once they get any pitting, it seems
impossible to restore those parts.
On the other hand, my wifes 05 Camary SE
has no signs of this..anywhere on the car.
If you or anyone else has an answer
let me know.
Last edited by JONS 07; Dec 28, 2009 at 09:23 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I live in Wasington state.
My home is on the Puget
Sound and the garage is
about 120' from the salt water.
my 07 is 2 1/2 years old and
I have a slight coating of what
you have. If you think that is
bad, look under the car at all
the aluminium parts, they will be worse.
Once they get any pitting, it seems
impossible to restore those parts.
On the other hand, my wifes 05 Camary SE
has no signs of this..anywhere on the car.
If you or anyone else has an answer
let me know.
My home is on the Puget
Sound and the garage is
about 120' from the salt water.
my 07 is 2 1/2 years old and
I have a slight coating of what
you have. If you think that is
bad, look under the car at all
the aluminium parts, they will be worse.
Once they get any pitting, it seems
impossible to restore those parts.
On the other hand, my wifes 05 Camary SE
has no signs of this..anywhere on the car.
If you or anyone else has an answer
let me know.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 486
Likes: 2
From: The Villages FL
Ken That looks bad. If the alternator and mount bracket is the only component on your engine that has this corrosion, then go to the dealer. If they will not replace these items, call Chevrolet Customer Servece at 1-866-790-5600. The alternator may have an electrical defect that is promoting this corrosion. Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
Ken That looks bad. If the alternator and mount bracket is the only component on your engine that has this corrosion, then go to the dealer. If they will not replace these items, call Chevrolet Customer Servece at 1-866-790-5600. The alternator may have an electrical defect that is promoting this corrosion. Good Luck.
This car is parked right next to my wife's vintage MG that shows no signs of rust/corrosion. If any car was going to rust in my climate I would have expected it to be the MG! MGs came from the factory with rust as standard equipment!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 807
From: West coast CA
I live in Wasington state.
My home is on the Puget
Sound and the garage is
about 120' from the salt water.
my 07 is 2 1/2 years old and
I have a slight coating of what
you have. If you think that is
bad, look under the car at all
the aluminium parts, they will be worse.
Once they get any pitting, it seems
impossible to restore those parts.
On the other hand, my wifes 05 Camary SE
has no signs of this..anywhere on the car.
If you or anyone else has an answer
let me know.
My home is on the Puget
Sound and the garage is
about 120' from the salt water.
my 07 is 2 1/2 years old and
I have a slight coating of what
you have. If you think that is
bad, look under the car at all
the aluminium parts, they will be worse.
Once they get any pitting, it seems
impossible to restore those parts.
On the other hand, my wifes 05 Camary SE
has no signs of this..anywhere on the car.
If you or anyone else has an answer
let me know.
A few years ago I cleaned up what corrosion there was under the hood (lots) and then sprayed LPS-3 (sort of cosmolene-in-a-can) all over everything. It still looks perfect.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 807
From: West coast CA
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
when I look under my 06 right were the seats are, there is no doubt that is an aluminum sheet! it is probably part of a laminated sub-floor assembly, because when you knock on it, it's solid, but it is a aluminum sheet, clear coated with something
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
IF my dealership tells me to go pound sand then I'll pull the parts, clean up all the casting flash and then either powder coat or paint/clear coat em'. Anyone ever dissect an alternator?
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 0
From: Canton/Detroit Michigan
I did when I had my 82 Camaro. I replaced the brushes and the volt regulator and I forget what else...basically a rebuild. That was about 25 years ago. Not difficult to take apart. These alternators look about the same.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: WA
Thanks for the tips.
I have a couple of
bottles of 303 protectant.
I'll start spraying those parts.
Yes, I was referring to the
supension parts under the
car, both front and rear,
not the frame or floor boards.
I have a couple of
bottles of 303 protectant.
I'll start spraying those parts.
Yes, I was referring to the
supension parts under the
car, both front and rear,
not the frame or floor boards.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
It is normal. These parts have been exposed to some salt in the moisture in the air. It is not warranty. Some cast aluminum parts are not sealed from the elements so this can occur. This is not a manufacturing defect.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
I thought about exposure to something I might have used but Simple Green it definitely is not..can't stand that funky chemical pine smell! The only thing I've used under the hood anywhere was McGuires Interior Detailer on the fuel rail covers but that was applied to a cloth first and then wiped on.
Last edited by Motorhead-47; Dec 30, 2009 at 11:26 AM.