Lots of rust after 6.5 years
- Thread starter Yaker
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4wheeldrivesmatter
New member
I've no clue about fluid film and how to use it.
I don't know if my dealer can do anything and if it's worth it.
To me, this looks horrible and I've never owned a car with this amount of rust after not even 7 years.
The '97? No idea, haven't seen it since I sold it.
The 5th gen has no rust either. But I also wash it when necessary.
rdruss
Senior Member
How are your splash guards are they in place? Where you live I'm sure they use salt/chem on the winter roads and if you drive it often in that stuff, thats what you'll get. I have an '03 that doesn't look that bad in engine compartment but is has a lot on the undercarriage that I battle constantly. As has been said give it a wash in the winter when you can and in the spring take it on a couple of long drives when its raining heavily.
thennen
New member
Where are you? I'm in Ohio, and my 2001 rusted into undriveability at 265k miles. But then, I was never religious about rinsing underneath. If you were, and that kept yours in good shape, that's encouraging.
Yes, the splash guards are in place.
I live in Northern Ontario and the City use a lot of salt during the winter. Daily! We have temperatures down to -30C and there is no way to wash the truck.
But as I wrote, my wife's Escape is one year older, way better quality, there is not a hint of rust and she drives the same streets.
rdruss
Senior Member
That's pretty wild on the Escape, but nice! People a few doors down have an Escape, don't know what year and it has external rust showing, go figure! Not sure what has happened with Toyota rust resistance but I have an '07 Matrix that got a front fender bash down the the metal and I ran it that way for 5-6 years in Chicago winter crud and no sign of rust. Not sure a Toyota today would fair that well. But I HATE rust!
Her Escape looks like new. Inside the engine compartment and outside excellent.
I really don't know what to do with this rusty 4Runner thing...
Sp00ner
New member
That's... pretty terrible.
I wont raise any alarms, but after 2 winters in Chicago I have far too much 'surface' rust on my frame and chassis for what I would expect to see, and it barely got any winter miles this last year. Compared to my last two Camaros and my better half's Focus it's a pretty stark difference.
My 6th Gen Camaro was completely spotless underneath after 4 winters and my 2012 had just the tiniest spots on a few of pinch welds and such.
I wont raise any alarms, but after 2 winters in Chicago I have far too much 'surface' rust on my frame and chassis for what I would expect to see, and it barely got any winter miles this last year. Compared to my last two Camaros and my better half's Focus it's a pretty stark difference.
My 6th Gen Camaro was completely spotless underneath after 4 winters and my 2012 had just the tiniest spots on a few of pinch welds and such.
OP, do you park your 4runner in a garage vs the Focus being parked outside? I lived in IL for many years and in some cases when you park a salt-covered car in the garage it makes for a warm and humid environment, which heavily promotes rust. Parking outside in the cold is better in that scenario.
nb rob
New member
2015 in eastern Canada.
We have indoor wash bays here, which I use very often in the wintertime. I also use an undercarriage "water broom" on my pressure washer in the summertime. I also keep the engine bay clean.
I touch up the underside every spring and fall. A bit of fluidfilm here, a little black rust paint there. I usually tidy up the front during an oil change
Everything looks great under my 4runner
We have indoor wash bays here, which I use very often in the wintertime. I also use an undercarriage "water broom" on my pressure washer in the summertime. I also keep the engine bay clean.
I touch up the underside every spring and fall. A bit of fluidfilm here, a little black rust paint there. I usually tidy up the front during an oil change
Everything looks great under my 4runner
rdruss
Senior Member
Yep, if you live in "rust belt" with a 4Runner you definitely have to stay after it or rust will take over in no time!
John in NC
Member
Why can't toyota solve this problem? Dip the chassis in whatever primer and paint so it coats inside and out.
Saw a documentary about some car years ago, the frame would go in a big vat and be turned upside down and around so all the inside is coated.
Saw a documentary about some car years ago, the frame would go in a big vat and be turned upside down and around so all the inside is coated.
i agree with this, don't park inside your garage in the summer time, the humid air doesn't help. in the winter time, ok to park inside since the air is dry but wash your car first.
Winter is actually the worst part to park inside, because the salt in a wet and warm environment will react faster accelerating rust. When it's cold, the process is slower (at night in winter). In the summer, just water alone, even in a humid environment won't be much threat. It's the salt that is the issue.
No, we don't park them in our garage. Both park in the same driveway.
Humble Leader
Senior Member
that amount of rust does not seem normal. I have a 2012 5th gen that has spent its entire life in southern ontario and would have been exposed to the same amount of road salt. I don't have any engine bay rust or body rust
I wash once a month in the summer, wax spring and fall and that helps protect the exterior paint. any stone chips are touched up as soon as I see them. in the winter I don't do anything to the vehicles, washing is difficult because it's simply too cold
I wash once a month in the summer, wax spring and fall and that helps protect the exterior paint. any stone chips are touched up as soon as I see them. in the winter I don't do anything to the vehicles, washing is difficult because it's simply too cold
