valve cover discoloration - Ford Forums

afcop7111 · 11-11-2005, 04:04

I just bought an 06 Mustang GT, and noticed that the valve covers looked like they had something spilled on them, and were discolored. We looked at another at the dealer and it was the same way. Is that normal?

ford4v429 · 11-23-2005, 23:02

raw cast aluminum will oxidize fairly fast- especially if exposed to salt- gets a white oxide coating...if mine ever gets here plan on painting as much bare metal as possible- even a high heat clear would help keep it looking clean for a long time- maybe even a cleaning with 'gunk' as it seems to leave a little oil behind...anything to seal the porous surface a bit.

if in hurricane ravaged territory, I'd look for rusty bolts/seams and such underneath- lot of cars got a salt bath down there...doubt a problem, but always hear horror stories of floaters getting sold off undocumented...