[mdputnam]

Originally Posted by Pparana

Japanese cars contain phosphate in the coolant, euro cars do not, unlikely of you had a coolant vapor leak that would oxidize the aluminum. Plus rx7, rotary, leaks and burns everything then stops running at 50k after burning 100k of gas.

This Japanese track car is phosphate free and the engine has survived 8 years of hard track driving without a rebuild. Now the $100,000.00 of race gas is definitely correct.

[Maynard]

Is there something you can use as a protective coating that won't just make things worse (or burn up)? Like an aluminum wheel protectant?

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Is there something you can use as a protective coating that won't just make things worse (or burn up)? Like an aluminum wheel protectant?

I'm just guessing, but would like to comparison test, rubbing motor oil on parts compared no treatment.

I would never use aluminum polish on my car, not sure beside wax what an aluminum wheel protectant is ?

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

I'm just guessing, but would like to comparison test, rubbing motor oil on parts compared no treatment.

I would never use aluminum polish on my car, not sure beside wax what an aluminum wheel protectant is ?

I used to have a 240z with the raw aluminum wheels (forged from a billet, I think, but raw non-anodized). I used to use some kind of branded liquid on them that was supposed to seal and prevent the oxidation. Otherwise they hazed up almost overnight. No idea if it was actually any good for the wheels, and it was back c.1980 - I think the manufacturers got smart decades ago, and I haven't seen this kind of raw metal wheel in a long time. I like your idea better - clean oil would hardly discolor, and you know it is OK for contact w/metal. I'm not going to be showing off my motor, just hate the idea it is getting corroded.

[Pparana]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Is there something you can use as a protective coating that won't just make things worse (or burn up)? Like an aluminum wheel protectant?

You could use Cosmoline Weathershed, or similar, no real need, it will oxidize , won't deteriorate, If there was an issue there would be multiple units. I would just stop going to that car wash and leave it alone. Phosphates are what was in automatic dishwasher detergent when it worked, until they banned it. Not ideal for a painted car, not often.

Clean if you want or when you sell it, but it's really not an issue. It's prob. Not from salt the more I think about it, as all the cars in the north would have that issue.

[martopoulos]

FWIW, I'm skeptical that this has to do with the car wash, as the oxidation is seen deep inside the engine bay where I'm very confident soap and water is not hitting it.

I keep forgetting to smell for the coolant leak 10 min after parking. One of these days I'm gonna remember.

[Fasteddy1]

This can also be the result of cleaning the engine with too strong of a degreaser.

I used to use the purple heavy duty stuff on engines until I noticed this happening.

Pat

[mdputnam]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Is there something you can use as a protective coating that won't just make things worse (or burn up)? Like an aluminum wheel protectant?

At work we use Boeshield T-9 to protect aluminum parts for marine use.