mcali6301 Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 I'm only at 50K and the engine and this recently happened.It doesn't seem like grease or dirt because none of it even rubs off with a rag. In some spots it loooks like the the metal literally changed color, and it seemed to have happen over a short period of time. The only change to the engine I have made was install a K&N panel filter. Any feedback? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 It does look very oxidized. Does it come off with metal polish (aluminum polish)? Too much heat or a loose tube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted January 25, 2015 Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) You had the coolant changed and flushed recently or at least in the last six months? Alkaline chemicals such as coolants and other chemical contanmination. Coolant will turn aluminum black. Just check an aluminum radiator inside and you will see what I am talking about. Heat, chemicals and pressure have strange reactions. Also note aluminum is a highly reactive metal. I am also willing to bet the covers are made with magnesium and nickle alloys for heat resistance and strenght. Ever see a nickle turn black? Edited January 25, 2015 by macbwt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted January 25, 2015 Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 A little further research. Sodium Hydroxide is most likely your culprit on this. Found in Water and caustic cleaning solutions. The solution to return the alumimun back to the color you remember it is not a viable solution as you would have to clean it with Nitric Acid, again maybe you need to just live with this and keep the hood closed. Sort of like me, I rarely open the hood unless I need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcali6301 Posted January 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 I have not tried any type of solution or chemicals yet. I Keep the engine cover over it anyway. The car goes to the dealer for maintenance regularly, and the coolant looks fine and I don't think it has been flushed yet. I have absolutely no problem leaving it like this, I just want to make sure that something is not happening that will eventually damage the engine or take any years off of it's life. The oxidation idea is an interesting one since I know K&N filters do let more oxygen into the engine. Bottom line, from a mechanical standpoint, should this concern me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted January 25, 2015 Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 Hard to say without knowing if the cause is internal or external. How does the cover look? Any discoloration on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcali6301 Posted January 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 The foam cover that goes over the engine? There is no discoloration on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) So definitely some chemical reaction, like mac suggested. You could mask off an area and put a drop of acid in the area to test, but IDK. What is normally involved: http://www.flitzpolish.com/Heavily_Oxidized_Aluminum_s/28.htm Or try a kit like this: http://classictrimcoat.com/oxidized-aluminum.html http://www.everbritecoatings.com/aluminum.htm Edited January 26, 2015 by WWWPerfA_ZN0W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 This does have me curious. Two of the coils are grey plastic and one appears to be black along with the engine. On that side of the engine is the transmission fluid fill tube. Have you had the transmission flushed or serviced? Just trying to think of some reasons for this as I checked my latest PCV video I made and my engine valve covers are oxidized/corroded but are white corrosion otherwise known as the same thing as rust is to steel. It also appears to be a spill more than a spray as far as a pattern. Mechanically if nothing is leaking then I in my own decison would just keep on driving and monitor things on occasion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcali6301 Posted January 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) Yes, I have had the valve body gasket updated back in the summer. Nothing is wrong with the car, It goes for maintenance regularly at the dealer. I find it a little strange that I cannot find any info online about this, no similar pictures, nothing, so that may a be a good thing. I bought the car at 19K so if the previous owner did the same, this car should be in it's best condition. Edited January 26, 2015 by mcali6301 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) So you have had the valve cover removed and a new gasket installed? If so I am more than willing to bet they cleaned it with something during the process because of the pattern on the cover. It resembles a spill or wiping more than a spray of something. This being said. Keep on driving it as there is nothing wrong other than some discoloration. I like to investigate and ask questions might have something to do with my previous job. LOL Edited January 26, 2015 by macbwt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 I like to investigate and ask questions might have something to do with my previous job. LOL Something to divulge there, mac, or will you have to kill us first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcali6301 Posted January 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 So you have had the valve cover removed and a new gasket installed? If so I am more than willing to bet they cleaned it with something during the process because of the pattern on the cover. It resembles a spill or wiping more than a spray of something. This being said. Keep on driving it as there is nothing wrong other than some discoloration. I like to investigate and ask questions might have something to do with my previous job. LOL Yes, but what does that have to do with the engine? I'm pretty sure the valve body gasket removal takes place under the car, at the transmission correct? I'm sure that when they did this, transmission Fluid was lost and restored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) Maybe a spray from the transmission cooler line while being disconnected that then had to be cleaned up? If the engine was warm/hot when the repair was done, the reaction would have been more likely to happen. Interesting, haven't heard of a valve body gasket replacement (at least on an Edge this young) before. Was a transmission TSB (11-12-10 I think) being performed? I see a "Auto Trans Valve Body ECU Gasket 6 Speed Auto Transmission 6F50" 7T4Z-7H200-A listed in that area. "Auto Trans Valve Body Access Cover Seal 6 Speed Auto Transmission 6F50" 7T4Z-7B329-B, and "Auto Trans Valve Body Oil Passage Seal6 Speed Auto Transmission 6F50" 7T4Z-7N266-A. Edited January 26, 2015 by WWWPerfA_ZN0W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Yes, but what does that have to do with the engine? I'm pretty sure the valve body gasket removal takes place under the car, at the transmission correct? I'm sure that when they did this, transmission Fluid was lost and restored. I think he was thinking it was the engine valve cover that was removed, not the transmission valve body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcali6301 Posted January 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) Maybe a spray from the transmission cooler line while being disconnected that then had to be cleaned up? If the engine was warm/hot when the repair was done, the reaction would have been more likely to happen. Interesting, haven't heard of a valve body gasket replacement (at least on an Edge this young) before. Was a transmission TSB (11-12-10 I think) being performed? I see a "Auto Trans Valve Body ECU Gasket 6 Speed Auto Transmission 6F50" 7T4Z-7H200-A listed in that area. "Auto Trans Valve Body Access Cover Seal 6 Speed Auto Transmission 6F50" 7T4Z-7B329-B, and "Auto Trans Valve Body Oil Passage Seal6 Speed Auto Transmission 6F50" 7T4Z-7N266-A. Yes, TSB 11-12-10 was being performed. I had an intermittent tranny slip issue. Edited January 26, 2015 by mcali6301 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 LOL. I was a criminal investigator in my previous career in the Navy. I turned that into a second job as a private OSHA consultant. No killing required. LOL Something to divulge there, mac, or will you have to kill us first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) I think I will stick with "something was spilled on the engine" as my final answer. LOL. Either way drive the wheels off of it. Edited January 26, 2015 by macbwt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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