How serious is this surface rust on my engine block (1 Viewer)

[kingmatt]

I recently had my 80 series rust proofed after I noticed a rust issue developing on the underbody of the car. After I got it back I checked everything out and noticed that there's some surface rust on the engine block (pics attached).

I'm pretty paranoid about rust on the car but I'm also not sure how serious this amount is, and how quickly it is likely to spread. I'm hoping to get some advice about what to do and how urgent it is.

I've heard it's common to have rust removed from engines during a rebuild, but its only got 250,000km on it so I hadn't planned on rebuilding it for quite some time.

Thanks guys

 

[Feistl]

That’s really bad, it might rust through completely in the next 250 million years....

Being serious though, with steel as thick as that rust just isn’t an issue. The only time it’ll be a problem is on bolts that rust/seize or if the engine was sitting forever and the internal rust.

I personally wouldn’t worry about it too much...

 

[jpoole]

The real problem may be that you are missing some key oil coating ports (leaks), particularly around the front of the block that, when fan-blown typically do a good job of preventing block rust like that. Best fix may be to keep the oil topped up and drive the heck out of it to see if you can engage more rust prevention in the next 100k miles

I don't see that surface rust as a problem at all but if you want try to wash/degrease it then spray some rust converter on it and/or shoot a bit of black spray paint on it (the type w primer that is high temp rated may be nice but probably not essential) it shouldn't hurt. Do avoid making a mess with overspray, in which case you are better if you don't paint at all in my opinion. Fluid film or similar may cook off but may not, I've not tried it on an engine block. Only real problem with a little surface rust in this area in my mind is if area hardware gets crusty and hard to remove long term.

 

[DivByZero]

Not an issue at all. Zero. None.

 

[flintknapper]

Surface rust on Cast Iron is of almost no worry. Rust on steel freeze plugs would be a different story.

 

[Bludozer]

oh s*** RIP

 

[Rusty Marlin]

I hate posts like this, I'm frightfully torn between thinking the OP is being genuine or being a total smart a$$.

I don't know which way to jump....

 

[SNLC]

Issue is if you let it get worse, cleaning it up later when you do want it nice and pretty will be more difficult.

I have spent many hours on the wire wheel on the die grinder and needle scaler cleaning blocks for fresh paint. Acid baths, degreasing, scraping, before even getting down to the nitty gritty. On an old crusty engine, it’s not a job for the faint at heart. I am talking about a paint job on the engine though that will last and look good for years not some rattle can in the chassis job.

Yours is so-so. Give it ten more years of salted roads. Then you will really enjoy making it pretty.


Cheers

 

[Njck22]

Issue is if you let it get worse, cleaning it up later when you do want it nice and pretty will be more difficult.

I have spent many hours on the wire wheel on the die grinder and needle scaler cleaning blocks for fresh paint. Acid baths, degreasing, scraping, before even getting down to the nitty gritty. On an old crusty engine, it’s not a job for the faint at heart. I am talking about a paint job on the engine though that will last and look good for years not some rattle can in the chassis job.

Yours is so-so. Give it ten more years of salted roads. Then you will really enjoy making it pretty.


Cheers

Ever looked into burn off ovens and steel shot blasting? Looks like it could clean up some real messy stuff quickly.

 

[jemsec]

All bare cast iron develops a thin layer of oxidation and is not an issue. Look at your rotors and other bare cast iron parts. They will look the same.

 

[kingmatt]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm glad to hear that it isn't anything serious. I was afraid that was going to spread but it sounds like that won't be a problem