Engine rust on used car

November 4, 2024 2:34 PM

Recently purchased a used 2022 Honda CRV and noticed some amount of rust/corrosion on the engine (photos). Is this an issue, like more than a normal amount of rust? How should I deal with it? (Are the white spots just dried salt or is it some kind of corrosion?
posted by roaring beast to Travel & Transportation (7 answers total)

None of this gives me any concern at all. No perforation, mild corrosion, very limited.
posted by CharlesDeP at 2:42 PM on November 4

The actual brown rust is on a heat shield for the exhaust, so that's not even the engine. I don't recall the last steel block Honda engine, but anything that you would be concerned about damage from rust in an engine in a Honda these days would be made from aluminum.
posted by Huggiesbear at 2:48 PM on November 4

Nothing to worry about. As for "how should I deal with it" I would just let things ride. Parts on/near the exhaust system get very hot and heat accelerates oxidizing reactions. In a decade, you could be looking at a rusted through heat shield. :-)
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 4:08 PM on November 4

There is nothing in that picture that would worry me.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 4:52 PM on November 4

The car might have had that much “rust” on it while sitting brand new on the dealer lot.
posted by Back At It Again At Krispy Kreme at 6:27 PM on November 4

Aluminum does oxidize, just rather slowly and only at the surface. The white shit on those castings is probably a mixture of dirt and oxidation, but absolutely normal and nothing to worry about. You could pressure wash it if it really bugs you visually.
posted by Rhomboid at 10:45 PM on November 4

Totally OK. Also totally normal for a car that's seen road salt.
posted by zippy at 11:05 AM on November 5