Engine Corrosion Warning/Problem

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robert williamson
Member
Posts: 1
MY PROBLEM: I have just experienced an unexpected expense when the timing gear cover plate corroded through the water jacket on my XT OKA.

VEHICLE HISTORY; Built in 95, purchased new by S.A. Ag Dept and serviced regularly by a reputable 4WD Service Centre in Adelaide (I have spoken with them, but unable to shed light on issue). It has done 70,000 genuine km. Since owning it I have only used rain water and Sure Cool inhibitor in it. It doesn't have an electronic anti rust system fitted. Mostly stored under cover.

QUESTION: Has anyone else had this problem?

How can it best be dealt with?
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July 29, 2012 at 4:07 PM Flag Quote & Reply

Pete Fox
Member
Posts: 140
Robert
I have had this issue before though not with an Oka.
A few years back I purchased a brand new 600hp diesel engine for a genset. The engine though new, was about five years old and had been filled with coolant at the factory, test run and then the coolant was drained. When I got it there was water still remaining in the block and it was still bright green, indicating that corrosion inhibitor had been used.
After I put the engine into service all manner of things went wrong. The oil cooler sprung a leak both into the oil gallery and to the atmospehere. This was a big engine and the oil cooler was about a metre long cylinder on one side of the engine. Its a long story which I won't go into here but it was majorly expensive exercise doing the repairs.
The moral of this is: despite the low kms and the fact that the correct coolant was used and probably changed at the correct km intervals, it is not enough. Coolant also has a time driven useful life. Once the coolant is too old it fails to do its job.
Once this happens any aluminium parts in the water jacket will start to corrode, and as soon as they are out under any stress they start to disintegrate. Over how long? that's the question. Copper parts - as in the radiator will also start to disintegrate.
There is also the issue that any corrosion will have circulated through the water jacket and probably clogged some radiator tubes.
I would be having a good look at the engine before I put it to too much work, particularly if you are going bush.
You may be lucky, but don't risk major engine damage. Check it out
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Peter Fox

OKA 266 Multi-cab.

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July 30, 2012 at 5:19 PM Flag Quote & Reply

David Hallandal
Member
Posts: 133
Well said Peter,
Robert I wanted to purchase your OKA when it came up for sale and believed it to be one of the best condition and well looked after OKAs I have ever see, and looked like a new vehicle.
I guess this is a good lesson to all of us out there who do our own servicing. This is why there is a Km and Date for when to replace our Lubricants including the Coolant which is ofter forgotten.
All the best with the OKA
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David Hallandal
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July 30, 2012 at 7:22 PM