Engine Oxidation
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
2007 E350 Sport / 2006 R350
Engine Oxidation
Hello all:
Purchased a 2006 R350 for my wife and it's our first experience with MB ownership. Love the car, purchased from out of state, but made sure it was Certified PreOwned from a dealer.
The car is in near perfect condition, except that when I opened the engine compartment, I found the entire engine block and pulleys covered in what appears to be oxidation of some kind.
The car was in New Hampshire, so I'm pretty sure it's from the salt used for snow. I'm hoping others have seen this and can give me a comfort level that it will not hurt anything or affect warranty.
Also, wondering if there is a fairly easy way to clean this up. I did take it to a local MB Dealer and they are helping to research as well.
Thanks in advance for any input!
Purchased a 2006 R350 for my wife and it's our first experience with MB ownership. Love the car, purchased from out of state, but made sure it was Certified PreOwned from a dealer.
The car is in near perfect condition, except that when I opened the engine compartment, I found the entire engine block and pulleys covered in what appears to be oxidation of some kind.
The car was in New Hampshire, so I'm pretty sure it's from the salt used for snow. I'm hoping others have seen this and can give me a comfort level that it will not hurt anything or affect warranty.
Also, wondering if there is a fairly easy way to clean this up. I did take it to a local MB Dealer and they are helping to research as well.
Thanks in advance for any input!
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
NA
Hello all:
Purchased a 2006 R350 for my wife and it's our first experience with MB ownership. Love the car, purchased from out of state, but made sure it was Certified PreOwned from a dealer.
The car is in near perfect condition, except that when I opened the engine compartment, I found the entire engine block and pulleys covered in what appears to be oxidation of some kind.
The car was in New Hampshire, so I'm pretty sure it's from the salt used for snow. I'm hoping others have seen this and can give me a comfort level that it will not hurt anything or affect warranty.
Also, wondering if there is a fairly easy way to clean this up. I did take it to a local MB Dealer and they are helping to research as well.
Thanks in advance for any input!
Purchased a 2006 R350 for my wife and it's our first experience with MB ownership. Love the car, purchased from out of state, but made sure it was Certified PreOwned from a dealer.
The car is in near perfect condition, except that when I opened the engine compartment, I found the entire engine block and pulleys covered in what appears to be oxidation of some kind.
The car was in New Hampshire, so I'm pretty sure it's from the salt used for snow. I'm hoping others have seen this and can give me a comfort level that it will not hurt anything or affect warranty.
Also, wondering if there is a fairly easy way to clean this up. I did take it to a local MB Dealer and they are helping to research as well.
Thanks in advance for any input!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
2007 E350 Sport / 2006 R350
Ok, here are a few pictures. I'm trying to have MB give me something in writing that this oxidation will not be used as an excuse to not cover parts during the CPO warranty period since they say this is fairly normal with cars from snow or beach areas.
Thanks again for any help.
Thanks again for any help.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
NA
I'm puzzled from what I see in picture 1, 2 and 3. It seems wherever there's aluminum, there seems to be a whitish film on it...almost as though someone used a harsh chemical to clean it. But in picture 2, there seems to be a residue of some sort on the bracket. What happens when you scrub the surface of the alternator or engine block? It could be road salts, but I thought the bottom of these cars are covered pretty good. It could also be that someone cleaned the aluminum pieces with an incorrect cleaning product that was acid-based.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 361
Likes: 3
From: Chicagoland
2008 ML350 4matic
I have an 08 ML 350 in the chicagoland area and suffered an identical situation....I somewhat resolved the issue by applying Gunk brand foaming engine degreaser, then removed it with a hot water power-washing. I finished it off with several "heavy" applications of an engine "detail" spray. Some of the luster has returned, but it is part of life in a salt heavy winter area.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
I'm puzzled from what I see in picture 1, 2 and 3. It seems wherever there's aluminum, there seems to be a whitish film on it...almost as though someone used a harsh chemical to clean it. But in picture 2, there seems to be a residue of some sort on the bracket. What happens when you scrub the surface of the alternator or engine block? It could be road salts, but I thought the bottom of these cars are covered pretty good. It could also be that someone cleaned the aluminum pieces with an incorrect cleaning product that was acid-based.
I am trying Never Dul on the 2 Amg insignias on top of the engine. Will report back. I Blew off a lot of the dust using a leaf blower and then vacuumed the engine compartment with a shop vac to remove as much dust and so on. I am using a ph neutral uncoated aluminum wheel cleaner with a stiff brush on the rest of the engine in stages. Am I wise I avoid water in the engine compartment? no steam cleaning for me. Once I clean the rubber I use 303.
Is there a sticky on proper engine compartment cleaning?
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 880
Likes: 4
From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL/ Hampstead, London, England
'84 380 SL/ '02 XK8
Aluminum corrosion
Aluminium alloys are alloys in which aluminium is the predominant metal. The highly reactive nature of aluminium metal is normally masked by the protective oxide film which readily forms in moist air and renders the metal kinetically stable (often called 'white rust'). Alkaline road salt and / or harsh chemicals may also cause this.
• Thoroughly clean the affected surfaces of all soil and grease residues with a d-limonene (citrus) based solvent cleaner (P21S® Total Auto Wash) prior to processing.
• Brush it down with a wire brush to get rid of all the powder.
• Clean the surface with Flitz Aluminum Pre-Clean and then sand any scratched or damaged areas with Norton 3X Sandpaper (p-graded aluminium oxide grain,) 60, 80 or 100 grit sand paper, sand wet or dry with a rubber sanding block.
• Use a tack rag and wipe the area, using a light pressure
• Then treat with etch primer, maybe two or more coats.
• Follow with ordinary primer and top coat.
• Thoroughly clean the affected surfaces of all soil and grease residues with a d-limonene (citrus) based solvent cleaner (P21S® Total Auto Wash) prior to processing.
• Brush it down with a wire brush to get rid of all the powder.
• Clean the surface with Flitz Aluminum Pre-Clean and then sand any scratched or damaged areas with Norton 3X Sandpaper (p-graded aluminium oxide grain,) 60, 80 or 100 grit sand paper, sand wet or dry with a rubber sanding block.
• Use a tack rag and wipe the area, using a light pressure
• Then treat with etch primer, maybe two or more coats.
• Follow with ordinary primer and top coat.
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