Engine Block Rust

[G6ET]

Has anyone else noticed any corrosion on there inlet manifold and engine blocks?

When I took mine in for the freebee service I advised the service manager, he said it was quite common and a few people had pointed it out.

He also said they are taking photos of them and advising Ford.

Strange my EF Fairmont still doesn't have any!!!!

[senna_T]

not sure about the inlet manifold, but the blocks have always been rusty on the outside. It actually makes the iron under the oxidation stronger.

[Venom XR6]

The inlet manifold is alloy, how can it rust?

[G6ET]

On alloy it is called oxidization, same process.

[Ford_Power]

Yes it is called oxidation, however unless Ford have changed the metallurgy of the inlet manifold and changed it from 100% aluminium to something else with iron it in, it cannot "rust" (as in have reddish brown marks on it). Rust is Fe2O3, Fe=Iron=red/brown dirt which where the red colour in rust comes from.

Aluminium is not red/brown by any stretch. When aluminium oxidises is it loses its silvery shine and becomes tarnished/dull in colour... It does not "rust".

Edited 06/09/08 05:12 AM by Ford_Power

[G6ET]

Talk about the modern version of Chinese whispers, nowhere do I mention RUST on the intake manifold.

The intake manifold and head both had white powdery spots all over them.

The engine block has the rust, which senna_T has pointed out to be common.

Back to the original question!!!

[senna_T]

could be coolant mate, not saying your car has a leak or anything! There could of been some splashed on the engine when they filled it up in the factory

[bunna]

Yes it is called oxidation, however unless Ford have changed the metallurgy of the inlet manifold and changed it from 100% aluminium to something else with iron it in, it cannot "rust" (as in have reddish brown marks on it). Rust is Fe2O3, Fe=Iron=red/brown dirt which where the red colour in rust comes from.

Aluminium is not red/brown by any stretch. When aluminium oxidises is it loses its silvery shine and becomes tarnished/dull in colour... It does not "rust".

Sorry to go digging, and I believe the original question has been answered (coolant or similar on the manifolds) but I challenge anyone, let alone ford, to make 100% aluminium. Any aluminium material with any sort of engineering application is an alloy, typically with copper, magnesium, silicon, and a host of others depending on the grade and application. A 100% aluminium manifold would have worse mechanical properties than aluminium foil!

And I think the word everyone is searching for is corrode, rather than oxidise or rust. All metals corrode to some degree as long as it is thermodynamically viable. Oh and corrosion on the surface of iron doesn't make the bulk metal stronger - there's quite a few problems with that statement.