2005 4Runner Engine Rust

[gepdogg]

Is the following a normal amount of rust around the engine for an '05 4Runner? The service dept at my dealer told me that one of the tensioners for the serpentine belt is failing because of rust and that the amount of rust around the engine is unusual for a truck not driven up north or on the beach (neither of which is the case). Does anyone agree or disagree with my dealer?

 

[Burt]

Looks like substantual amount of salt erosion to me. Was this 4Runner in a flood?

 

[gepdogg]

No, definitely not in a flood, or any other acts of god. Just normal driving around Virginia and Maryland. I moved a few miles from the ocean a couple of years ago, but I don't drive to the beach very often and definitely do not go driving on it. I take it to a Virginia Beach dealer so they are used to working on vehicles in the area and they were surprised by the amount of rust on and around the engine. Is there a protective coating that is normally applied to the area on and around the engine in the factory that is supposed to inhibit corrosion?

 

[Uneek]

My '05 Tacoma looks like that in the engine bay. Pacific coastal fog for me.

 

[KB084RUNNER]

Salt air corrosion. Spray with BOESHIELD to slow it down. But nothing will stop it now. When I brought my 4R home I stopped at Walmart and bought 10 cans of rustoleum undercoating and did the entire truck & engine compartment. 3 Winters later I am sure glad I did.

 

[T4Fun]

i have rust on my rear axle. what can i do. use boshield and then rustoleum undercoating?

 

[nated05]

Thats how mine looks as well, due to the tons of salt they dump on the roads im sure.

 

[Maritimer]

I've got a 2001 that's been driven up here in Salt Territory for 10 years, and the tensioners are nowhere near failing. That's odd. What does the rest of your exhaust look like, as the main rust area there seems to be your exhaust manifold.

Do you store it for long periods of time? That may help as that area of the truck doesn't have any special coating or paint but can rust if it isn't dried several times a day with a sizzling hot engine.