08-21-2019, 02:40 AM | #1 |
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Engine Oxidation or Salt? what stuff on the engine (N55)
I posted this thread on "N55 (M235i) Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Tuning". Please remove this thread!
Hello! I recently purchased a CPO 2016 m235i with 36k miles in Irvine California. I noticed these white spots on my engine, which appears to be only on the aluminum part of the engine, at the time of purchase but the dealer said it was completely fine. When I got home and tried to wipe off some of the white part, it left these black marks. I purchased extended platinum warranty for the next 6 years/ unlimited miles so I know that I will be covered but I have never seen this before and wanted to confirm if anyone else has seen this before. I noticed that there was just one other post on the forum regarding the same problem on a car that is only 7 months old (at the time of the post) but it never confirmed if it was indeed oxidation or leaking coolant. Can someone please tell me what is causing this and if this is damaging to the engine? On some posts, it says that aluminum oxidation actually creates a protective layer.. is this true? Thank you for your help!! Last edited by waxfigure; 08-21-2019 at 02:49 AM.. |
08-25-2019, 09:09 PM | #2 |
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I see this as normal oxidation layer for aluminum. Nothing to worry about or try to clean up. Your 2016 could have been in service for almost 4 years now, and it may have been a car from outside Southern CA. It is nothing to worry about, and will not affect the engine whatsoever. It is normal for all metals to oxidize when exposed to the atmosphere, some grades of stainless steel show oxidation as well, while other stainless grades show barely any at all. What's important is there isn't any oxidation on the inside of that aluminum casting for the oil filter housing. If you ever happen to take off that oil filter cap and look inside, you'll find it clean as a whistle.
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08-29-2019, 02:53 AM | #6 |
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My cars spend their lives next to the ocean, but garaged. Some oxidation, because you can't avoid air altogether, but not terrible. As noted, it's the alumin(i)um, babe.
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09-01-2019, 10:45 PM | #7 |
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09-02-2019, 07:47 AM | #8 |
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wax,
Your conclusion is correct, you cannot prevent oxidation on aluminum. In fact, aluminum will immediately oxidize when exposed to air if it is a virgin surface. Being on the coast with moist air which may have a some chloride content, this is normal and will not be an issue for your car, although it is not as pretty cosmetically! We have this issue in New England with coastal air and salty roads in the winter!
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09-02-2019, 04:41 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
Thanks for the validation. I have a question tho.. My buddy owns 2014 228i and he lives in manhattan beach as well. He got the car brand new but his car does not seem to have any oxidation or not as much oxidation as mine (it's 5 years old). Do you think parking the car outside vs garage also has an impact on this? |
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09-02-2019, 07:18 PM | #10 |
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Hmmm, hard to tell. I expect that if the car is outside, it has a better chance of being exposed to humid or damp air. versus in the garage. I know my car fares better in the garage; however, it is a converted carriage house and my house was build in the 1700's so my garage is not climate controlled, it is controlled by the climate!
Once it comes out however, all bets are off. Proximity to the ocean, etc. are all variables here. In other words, no clue...sorry for the useless response. Perhaps another west coastal dweller has a better explanation.
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