How much rust under hood is normal?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
How much rust under hood is normal?
Hi- I just recently purchased a 2002 Dodge Caravan. Being a car novice, I had a mechanic I usually trust give a look at it and he OK'd it. But now, after buying the van, when I look under the hood I'm noticing a lot of rust there. I'm worried that the Van has been under water because I've also noticed rust in the interior, but not enough to make a definitive conclusion.
Here are the facts:
1. The car is a 2002 model that has been through 5 New England Winters (heavy salt and snow.)
2. Carfax report checked out: no flood title, has been in Massachusetts it's whole life. Was sold to the dealer before the recent flood season here.
3. Under the hood, there's rust on most bolts and nuts (in some places, a bit severe) and on the alternator.
4. There's no moldy smells, although when I first test drove it there was an odd vinegary smell when the AC was turned on. The smell is no longer there.
5. Haven't noticed any silt, mud or grass; no obvious flood lines and carpeting has not been replaced (unless it was replaced with crappy worn carpeting)
6. No rust in glove box or other "interior spaces".
7. No problem with any of the electrical components. (power locks, windows, alarm, etc.)
8. There is rust on the screws at the base of the front seats, and slight rusting on some the lower parts of the seat. (Which I though could be due to snow being tracked into the car during winter...)
9. Seatbelts show no sign of mold, dirt, silt, moisture. No rust inside their casing at the base.
So anyway, I guess my question is twofold.
A. Is there anyway that I can rest my mind that this car hasn't seen any flood damage? Is this rust normal for this part of the country (I'm from Louisiana originally)?
B. If this rusting is normal/plausible for a car that is only 4 1/2 years old, should I be expecting serious problems soon? Is there anything I can do to prevent these problems?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Here are the facts:
1. The car is a 2002 model that has been through 5 New England Winters (heavy salt and snow.)
2. Carfax report checked out: no flood title, has been in Massachusetts it's whole life. Was sold to the dealer before the recent flood season here.
3. Under the hood, there's rust on most bolts and nuts (in some places, a bit severe) and on the alternator.
4. There's no moldy smells, although when I first test drove it there was an odd vinegary smell when the AC was turned on. The smell is no longer there.
5. Haven't noticed any silt, mud or grass; no obvious flood lines and carpeting has not been replaced (unless it was replaced with crappy worn carpeting)
6. No rust in glove box or other "interior spaces".
7. No problem with any of the electrical components. (power locks, windows, alarm, etc.)
8. There is rust on the screws at the base of the front seats, and slight rusting on some the lower parts of the seat. (Which I though could be due to snow being tracked into the car during winter...)
9. Seatbelts show no sign of mold, dirt, silt, moisture. No rust inside their casing at the base.
So anyway, I guess my question is twofold.
A. Is there anyway that I can rest my mind that this car hasn't seen any flood damage? Is this rust normal for this part of the country (I'm from Louisiana originally)?
B. If this rusting is normal/plausible for a car that is only 4 1/2 years old, should I be expecting serious problems soon? Is there anything I can do to prevent these problems?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Noob Assassin
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,447
Likes: 0
RE: How much rust under hood is normal?
ORIGINAL: Jomby
Hi- I just recently purchased a 2002 Dodge Caravan. Being a car novice, I had a mechanic I usually trust give a look at it and he OK'd it. But now, after buying the van, when I look under the hood I'm noticing a lot of rust there. I'm worried that the Van has been under water because I've also noticed rust in the interior, but not enough to make a definitive conclusion.
Here are the facts:
1. The car is a 2002 model that has been through 5 New England Winters (heavy salt and snow.)
2. Carfax report checked out: no flood title, has been in Massachusetts it's whole life. Was sold to the dealer before the recent flood season here.
3. Under the hood, there's rust on most bolts and nuts (in some places, a bit severe) and on the alternator.
4. There's no moldy smells, although when I first test drove it there was an odd vinegary smell when the AC was turned on. The smell is no longer there.
5. Haven't noticed any silt, mud or grass; no obvious flood lines and carpeting has not been replaced (unless it was replaced with crappy worn carpeting)
6. No rust in glove box or other "interior spaces".
7. No problem with any of the electrical components. (power locks, windows, alarm, etc.)
8. There is rust on the screws at the base of the front seats, and slight rusting on some the lower parts of the seat. (Which I though could be due to snow being tracked into the car during winter...)
9. Seatbelts show no sign of mold, dirt, silt, moisture. No rust inside their casing at the base.
So anyway, I guess my question is twofold.
A. Is there anyway that I can rest my mind that this car hasn't seen any flood damage? Is this rust normal for this part of the country (I'm from Louisiana originally)?
B. If this rusting is normal/plausible for a car that is only 4 1/2 years old, should I be expecting serious problems soon? Is there anything I can do to prevent these problems?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi- I just recently purchased a 2002 Dodge Caravan. Being a car novice, I had a mechanic I usually trust give a look at it and he OK'd it. But now, after buying the van, when I look under the hood I'm noticing a lot of rust there. I'm worried that the Van has been under water because I've also noticed rust in the interior, but not enough to make a definitive conclusion.
Here are the facts:
1. The car is a 2002 model that has been through 5 New England Winters (heavy salt and snow.)
2. Carfax report checked out: no flood title, has been in Massachusetts it's whole life. Was sold to the dealer before the recent flood season here.
3. Under the hood, there's rust on most bolts and nuts (in some places, a bit severe) and on the alternator.
4. There's no moldy smells, although when I first test drove it there was an odd vinegary smell when the AC was turned on. The smell is no longer there.
5. Haven't noticed any silt, mud or grass; no obvious flood lines and carpeting has not been replaced (unless it was replaced with crappy worn carpeting)
6. No rust in glove box or other "interior spaces".
7. No problem with any of the electrical components. (power locks, windows, alarm, etc.)
8. There is rust on the screws at the base of the front seats, and slight rusting on some the lower parts of the seat. (Which I though could be due to snow being tracked into the car during winter...)
9. Seatbelts show no sign of mold, dirt, silt, moisture. No rust inside their casing at the base.
So anyway, I guess my question is twofold.
A. Is there anyway that I can rest my mind that this car hasn't seen any flood damage? Is this rust normal for this part of the country (I'm from Louisiana originally)?
B. If this rusting is normal/plausible for a car that is only 4 1/2 years old, should I be expecting serious problems soon? Is there anything I can do to prevent these problems?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Since it's obviously mechanically sound according to your local mechanic, I wouldnt worry too much about it. Unfortunately rock salt and some of the crap they're mixing with it eats away at car components badly. The biggest thing I can tell you is simply wash your van more during the winter...as getting that crap off the vehicle at least once a month is a smart move.
If your concerned with the rust....have your local mechanic put it up in the air and check it out. Things to look at would be exhaust, muffler, headers, and the bottom of the front end of the car. Rust is common. Cars in heavy winterized places will rust faster then others....Rust is common on the outside of alot of car engine parts....but that doesnt mean the metal is bad. It can look rusted and still be sound metal.
If you can afford it, perhaps you should consider having the bottom of the car sprayed with rust protectant....it wont fix whats there....but it could help prevent further damage.