Surface rust - opinions!

[Conor-etxgs]

Hi guys. I just bought a 2013 Honda CR-Z as a runabout and whilst the cosmetic condition and service history are spot on, I have noticed a lot of surface rust around the car on further inspection.

I realise that this is mostly harmless and unsightly but there seems to be a lot of it for a mid 2013 car with 50k.

I plan on tidying what I can. It needs discs and pads all round and I'll paint the calipers when I'm at it and replace the worst affected bolts.

I'd be interested to hear other people's opinions on this though as it seems a little abnormal.

Edited by Conor-etxgs on Wednesday 22 February 08:53

[Decky_Q]

The problem with a nearly new Honda is that they don't leak enough oil to protect the mild steel fasteners around the engine.

[TooMany2cvs]

It's just the stuff that's left bare from the factory, or gets a very light blow-over. Nobody normal really worries too much about it.

[jhonn]

I wouldn't say it is untypical, if the car has been driven through three winters on roads where grit/salt has been used.

Also, if it's been used and put away in a garage wet.

Although unsightly, it's unlikely to affect the value of your car.

[cib24]

Decky_Q said:

The problem with a nearly new Honda is that they don't leak enough oil to protect the mild steel fasteners around the engine.

Yes, you see Jaguar is known for this rust prevention tactic. They design their engines to leak enough oil to cover the subframes and surrounding suspension parts which keeps corrosion at bay but unfortunately makes a mess in your garage or on your driveway.

[Plinth]

cib24 said:

Yes, you see Jaguar is known for this rust prevention tactic. They design their engines to leak enough oil to cover the subframes and surrounding suspension parts which keeps corrosion at bay but unfortunately makes a mess in your garage or on your driveway.

"Continuous chassis lubrication"
My Discovery does it - probably a clever design feature

[anonymous-user]

I see a lot of car chassis' and that's normal.

[Jimmy Recard]

That's what I'd expect to see on any car to be honest

[M4cruiser]

It's 4 years old, and you paid (I hope) less than half the new price, maybe one third of the new price?

Live with it! It's ok.

[Dr Interceptor]

It's a Honda, it'll still see you out.

[Conor-etxgs]

Thanks for the replies.

You have confirmed what I was thinking but it's always nice to get reassurance from others!

I have already removed some of the most offensive looking bolts, cleaned the rust off with my bench grinder's wire wheel and coated them with zinc cold galvanising paint (see pic).

I paid £8300, which is less than a third of the original price for a GT spec CR-Z so I have no complaints. Most 2013> ones that come up for sale are £10k+.

Edited by Conor-etxgs on Wednesday 22 February 10:45

[GAjon]

Also the volume of rust is many times more if that of the steel it's displaced.

[trickywoo]

Looks like it may have lived near the coast but nothing to worry about.

[cml24]

I used to have a 2001 yaris when I lived on a Scottish island. The salt in the air all year round had ensured that car was seriously rusty underneath.

However, when I ever did any work on it I was surprised quite how easily things like bolts undid. Although the heads would quite often look like old rivets from a sunken ship, by the time I'd found a socket to hammer on the actual threads would be in very good condition.

Not like my mini where even a great looking bolt head results in snapped bolts and buggered threads...

So as others have said I wouldn't worry too much about the rust on your car!

[Sheepshanks]

One of the disadvantage of the servicing videos many dealers send out now is you get to see parts of the car you don't normally get a good look at - I was dismayed by how rusty various suspension components looked on our 1 year old VW Tiguan.

[Lester H]

TooMany2cvs said:

It's just the stuff that's left bare from the factory, or gets a very light blow-over. Nobody normal really worries too much about it.

Agreed. Even on lower mileage examples with less opportunity for salt damage, there will be surface rust on components visible under the bonnet. This is a general, not marque related situation. It doesn't matter, but f it annoys you, spray the rogue bolts, flanges, holders or whatever with Waxoyl or similar, not WD 40
.

[Lester H]

Sheepshanks said:

One of the disadvantage of the servicing videos many dealers send out now is you get to see parts of the car you don't normally get a good look at - I was dismayed by how rusty various suspension components looked on our 1 year old VW Tiguan.

Only a year old but don't worry, see my earlier post and remember that some components on five year old cars resemble W.W.1. Relics, but pass MOTs sans advisories.

[anonymous-user]

I thought this was about rusty bodywork! You'd be hard pressed to find a car a few years old without some surface corrosion on suspension, etc components.

[rallycross]

That's normal on any car to exposed to the UK weather it's not rust it's just unprotected metal things like brackets etc.

[Alpaca]

Very common on Hondas and often queried by folk new to Honda over on the Honda Jazz forum. Nothing to worry about, I suspect my ten year old Jazz is riddled with it!