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      01-22-2018, 03:18 PM   #1
Zermatt
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Engine Surface Corrosion in 2018 F80?

Ideas on what this is or what could be causing this??

I did a Euro delivery of my 2018 M3 in August and took delivery of it in Seattle in early November. After its long drive home, I washed it using the two bucket method then kept in the garage so thus far, it hasnt seen snow, road salt or anti icing chemicals.

When I opened the hood in Dec to start some winter mod projects, I saw what appears some surface corrosion that perplexes me. I was able to wipe some of it off but am curious if anyone has more insight on this.

The only other time Ive seen this is on an old E36 M42 that I bought used and was never able to completely remove it so Im wanting to avoid/prevent this from covering my whole engine as it did on the E36.
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Last edited by Zermatt; 01-22-2018 at 03:29 PM..
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      01-22-2018, 03:55 PM   #2
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salt or mineral in water.
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      01-22-2018, 04:56 PM   #3
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Stop washing your car with Perrier
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      01-22-2018, 08:13 PM   #4
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Mine looks the same
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      01-22-2018, 08:42 PM   #5
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Mine looks the same too. I DD mine so I thought it may be salt. I have not attempted to clean it so it must be something else.
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      01-22-2018, 08:53 PM   #6
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If you drive your car in the elements, I'm not sure there's a way to avoid it. It's essentially raw metal.
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      02-10-2018, 03:22 PM   #7
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It's very likely oxidized aluminum (Al2O3) which can be caused by any corrosive chemical that reacts with aluminum (ammonia or salt or something like that).

I looked at an alpha romeo the other day and it had it with no miles. They said the details shop sprayed something and it happened.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/p9laY9IAh9nsxe0g1

I would perhaps try in a small inconspicuous area to remove the oxidation with a very light acid from a lemon (citric) or diluted vinegar (acetic). The acid will remove the layers of heavy oxidation and then the aluminum will immediately grow a thin self protecting layer of self terminating oxidation. This may result in making the entire surface gray though. But perhaps a uniform dull gray surface is better than a spotted surface.

Whatever you do, absolutely do not us steel wool or sandpaper as the metal(s) will embed itself and will rust (oxidize) and do bad things.
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      02-10-2018, 07:45 PM   #8
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No issues on my 2015 or my 2018 F80s.

About eight washes, rain exposure, etc.

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      08-23-2019, 05:46 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vectors2final View Post
No issues on my 2015 or my 2018 F80s.

About eight washes, rain exposure, etc.

It looks like there is some aluminum oxide in the upper right hand corner.
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      08-23-2019, 05:47 PM   #10
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Does anyone know if a little oxidation is ok? I tried to do some research and apparently a thin layer of aluminum oxide is a good thing. Does everyone have some amount of oxidation on the aluminum engine components?
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      08-23-2019, 08:17 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eRocks View Post
Does anyone know if a little oxidation is ok? I tried to do some research and apparently a thin layer of aluminum oxide is a good thing. Does everyone have some amount of oxidation on the aluminum engine components?
Who cares? It's an engine lol
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      08-23-2019, 09:09 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eRocks View Post
Does anyone know if a little oxidation is ok? I tried to do some research and apparently a thin layer of aluminum oxide is a good thing. Does everyone have some amount of oxidation on the aluminum engine components?
When aluminum corrodes and develops a layer of aluminum oxide, that layer of aluminum oxide prevents further corrosion. Aluminum doesn't rust or deteriorate the way mild steels do.
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      08-24-2019, 10:09 AM   #13
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Not something I'd worry about at all. That said, mine doesn't have it - 2018 model.

Must be road salt. Keep driving and smiling.
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      09-04-2019, 02:29 AM   #14
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I used to wash my cars and motorcycles with soft water spicket from my house. Until I realized it was corroding various exposed metals on my bikes. Maybe that caused it.
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      09-08-2019, 06:54 PM   #15
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Has anyone experience any degradation in material strength by having some aluminum oxidation?

Full disclosure - I have some oxidation within my engine bay, on the oil filter housing and a few other components.
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      09-13-2019, 10:30 PM   #16
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Noticed a little in my '15? Maybe it's due to different batches of aluminum alloy.
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      10-14-2019, 07:08 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paisano View Post
Has anyone experience any degradation in material strength by having some aluminum oxidation?

Full disclosure - I have some oxidation within my engine bay, on the oil filter housing and a few other components.
I was worried a bit that the oxidation would continue and 'eat' at the aluminum. Like you, I have a little on the oil filter housing and surrounding aluminum components. I researched a bit more and from what I can tell, a little oxidation is ok and is suppose to actually create a protective layer that prevents additional corrosion.

Mine does not seem to have gotten any worse nor does it seem to be pitting the surface so I'm thinking it's good to go.
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      10-14-2019, 07:50 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NYG View Post
When aluminum corrodes and develops a layer of aluminum oxide, that layer of aluminum oxide prevents further corrosion. Aluminum doesn't rust or deteriorate the way mild steels do.
Correct. "Stainless" steel is very similar, although you don't see the oxide layer like Al.
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      10-14-2019, 09:16 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paisano View Post
Has anyone experience any degradation in material strength by having some aluminum oxidation?

Full disclosure - I have some oxidation within my engine bay, on the oil filter housing and a few other components.
Aluminum will retain it's strength properties even with a surface layer of aluminum oxide. Same modulus of elasticity, same tensile strength, etc.
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      10-15-2019, 04:17 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NYG View Post
Aluminum will retain it's strength properties even with a surface layer of aluminum oxide. Same modulus of elasticity, same tensile strength, etc.
I was planning on attempting to remove the oxidation on my next engine detail.

I'll hold off, thanks for the advice.
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      10-15-2019, 08:51 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paisano View Post
I was planning on attempting to remove the oxidation on my next engine detail.

I'll hold off, thanks for the advice.
No problem. I used to deal with miscellaneous metals (engineering and construction). Aluminum is very resilient to the environment.
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      10-17-2019, 12:44 AM   #22
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I used some mother’s metal polish and that took care of it. Also polished up the top of the intercooler and it changed to a different shade of color lol... looked like a lot of oxidation built up and it cleaned it up nicely.
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