Rust...Is it normal? Pics

coputnik · 11-18-2009, 04:50 PM

Hello, I just buy a jeep liberty with 2 years and 15000 km.
Looking closely I could see many areas that have rusted in the floor beneath the seats, pedals, etc..
Is this normal?
It will be bad for the car in a few years?
Thanks, I'm very worried

LibertyTC · 11-18-2009, 06:01 PM

It appears to be normal type surface rust. Any metal rusts over time. Moisture in the air is enough to make metal rust.
If you are near an ocean like I am, just the air alone with a light mixture of salt, makes by brake pedal metal look way more rusted than your's.
Not to worry..your vehicle is 2 years old...I have my KJ undercoated very well. Salt roads here eat everything in winter. If you are real worried about parts you can sand them down and use a spray lacquer. Even metal paint helps, but I really don't worry about minor rust.
Nothing stays new forever.

**autoboy454** · 11-18-2009, 09:15 PM

If that's the rust your worried about, you must have never owned a YJ. That is nothing to worry about. You could probably reach up and wipe that off with your finger if you tried.

Slithering_Joe · 11-18-2009, 09:32 PM

Surface rust. Completely normal. I don't know of any vehicle that doesn't do that in those areas. Some parts just don't merit "special" attention.

**95BadBoy** · 11-18-2009, 09:46 PM

That is getting more and more common to see on newer vehicles, Jeep has lots of rust issues. The manufacturers cut every corner that can be cut, and the subs that make a lot of the parts - have no choice but to meet the price point or they get no orders. Hence the lack of heavy primer and high quality paint work on componants.

I've seen a few friends take things apart and repaint pieces of thier vehicles - section by section. Because it drives them crazy to see rust after 6 to 18 months. Some JK's show rust after barely a couple of months. For what new vehicles cost - it really is poor practice and it happens with a lot of brands.

Some things under your rig, you could use something like POR 15 or another similar brand. Not a bad idea if you are in a rust prone area.

coputnik · 11-19-2009, 11:47 AM

Thank you very much for your opinions, I'm much more comfortable knowing that is widespread and not just a problem of my unit.
Anyway, I talked with my dealer and is consulting with the guarantee how to solve it.
I have a question, I want give the floor with bbq or POR-15...
Can i only give the frame and the muffler or can I give all the pieces?
If i can give all the pieces, must i take off the pieces?
What hood´s parts should examine to see if they rust?

Thanks for your help and apologize my poor English.
Greetings

**95BadBoy** · 11-19-2009, 09:43 PM

You can do the underbelly, frame, but you really don't want to things like exhaust - mufflers - cables - or items that have bushings (exception maybe to a few) or rotating assembly's. Good common sence should dictate some of those items.

LibertyTC · 11-20-2009, 05:07 AM

Over all the KJ exterior door/hood seals etc seem to work very well. The main focus should be to keep areas clean, free from dirt and debris around the doors & seals/hood and especially around the rear lift gate/center brake light areas. You will notice that on the kick panels and door trim it can get real dirty in there, keep them clean and you should not get rust.
Man if you were to paint the muffler/exhaust you would die from the smell of it burning off. Let the exhaust rust and replace it if it needs it.....
Take it to a professional undercoater if you want the frame etc done under the vehicle !

Nick · 11-21-2009, 10:57 AM

Like everyone else said, it's normal surface rust.

coputnik · 11-22-2009, 01:07 PM

Thank you very much for your answers.
I felt more relaxed with your comments.
Greetings

teamfast · 03-09-2010, 11:51 AM

a quick spray of silicon when its new will keep things looking new and not affect the electronics or stink up the cabin

ken_3149 · 03-10-2010, 11:05 PM

Dude

I hate to do this to you but the story goes as follows.

Customer returned his 2 week old KJ to dealer saying that it wasn't running very well.

Problem diagnosed as water in the plenum and cylinders with NO indication as to how it got there.

Inspection of vehicle inside and out provided no further clues and the customer couldn't/wouldn't add anything further.

The 'old guy' in the workshop/service area then directed that the interior door panels/trims be removed , and on doing so all was revealed. There was dried mud and a high water mark up the inside of the doors.

Yep! the customer had 'drowned' the KJ on the previous weekend and had it fully detailed at a vehicle restoration place prior to returning it to the dealer.

Suffice to say the customer was informed that his warranty was voided and to remove himself and his vehicle from the subject premises.

Guess what, approx 2 years later a guy turns up at the same dealer (not a regular customer) with a KJ complaining of rust problems in the interior of the vehicle very similar to those you describe.

Never have seen anything quite like it before the dealer punches the vehicle VIN into the computer and 'alarm bells' go off erverywhere.

Yes! you guessed it - it is the same KJ mentioned above that had by sheer coincidence returned to the original dealer.

The owner was informed of the whole sad and sorry story and departed stating he was going to try and locate the guy who sold it to him.

So, if I was you I would remove the subject door trims and see if there was evidence of it having been 'submerged'.

Regardless of whether it has or hasn't it, needs to be be attended to or onsold ASAP.

03-10-2010, 11:05 PM	#12
ken_3149 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 4 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Dude I hate to do this to you but the story goes as follows. Customer returned his 2 week old KJ to dealer saying that it wasn't running very well. Problem diagnosed as water in the plenum and cylinders with NO indication as to how it got there. Inspection of vehicle inside and out provided no further clues and the customer couldn't/wouldn't add anything further. The 'old guy' in the workshop/service area then directed that the interior door panels/trims be removed , and on doing so all was revealed. There was dried mud and a high water mark up the inside of the doors. Yep! the customer had 'drowned' the KJ on the previous weekend and had it fully detailed at a vehicle restoration place prior to returning it to the dealer. Suffice to say the customer was informed that his warranty was voided and to remove himself and his vehicle from the subject premises. Guess what, approx 2 years later a guy turns up at the same dealer (not a regular customer) with a KJ complaining of rust problems in the interior of the vehicle very similar to those you describe. Never have seen anything quite like it before the dealer punches the vehicle VIN into the computer and 'alarm bells' go off erverywhere. Yes! you guessed it - it is the same KJ mentioned above that had by sheer coincidence returned to the original dealer. The owner was informed of the whole sad and sorry story and departed stating he was going to try and locate the guy who sold it to him. So, if I was you I would remove the subject door trims and see if there was evidence of it having been 'submerged'. Regardless of whether it has or hasn't it, needs to be be attended to or onsold ASAP.