Rusty bracket/mount in engine bay on S

[TenaciousX]

I'm not sure if this is just a "S" problem or not, but I noticed that a bracket or mount of some sort near the s/c has it's paint or coating peeling off and mounds of ugly rust forming. It's hard to see the extent of the rust from the top except for the screw hole - but underneath is much worse. Everything else nearby seems to be aluminum whereas this is some sort of iron.

Anyone else having this issue?

[Dmbrown34]

Whoa, that cancer is pretty bad for being so young. Good thing you found that and can take counter measures.

Thanks for the post...I'll check my elise tonight. If that bracket is for a SC I dont think I will have that problem.

[GetBoost]

I noticed the rust on the Elise as well. It's just an engine mount on the Elise, but has similar amount of rust. I also see it underneath the rear engine lid hinges too, and several other places in the engine compartment.

[Buz]

Everything that is iron on these cars seems to be quite rusty. Better paint or galvanized would be good. Replacing them with aluminum parts would be great.

[tesprit]

I'm quite sure they all come this way. It appears many steel/cast iron parts on the engine were not painted and they probably formed a nice layer of rust during the damp boat ride to the States. My suspension uprights have this rust too. If it bothers you, you might try sanding off as much rust as possible with some emery cloth and painting the rust spots with a rust prevention paint. I'm afraid this is another case of

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by tesprit

If it bothers you, you might try sanding off as much rust as possible with some emery cloth and painting the rust spots with a rust prevention paint.

POR-15 comes highly recommended for this task. It comes in colors too (at least black and the sliver that I've bought in the past). Paint it on, and it converts the rust to an oxide that won't rust anymore, and colors things the color of the POR-15 paint.

If you think that is bad rust, look under any other new car. Especially look at the typical transmission, steering knuckles, rear axles, drive shafts etc. Anything make of steel and especially cast iron. But although it looks tacky, it usually isn't a problem at all and will not degrade over time unlike rusting body panels or thin sheet metal.

[2-Y-CHROMOSOMES]

Mine is like that on my elise.

[wildwhl]

I haven't noticed the rust - but your oil leak looks like mine (not as bad as mine).

WW

[insane]

Had that on my Elise. Used a phosphoric-acid based rust stopper and painted it.

It always bothered me, looks good now -- shouldn't rust again either.