Hello from the SF Bay Area!

I just bought a 2005 S2K which was originally from the east coast. There are obvious signs of having been in snow, primarily in the engine compartment and other exposed areas.

I would like to get input from members here, especially those who have direct experience with corrosion from snow salt, on what I should pay attention to when it comes to cleaning and removing corrosion present in the car. I would like to do a thorough inspection and cleaning so the car will have a "fresh start" in CA.

Your thoughts, please...

 

S2k motor mounts hate salt enviornments. You may want to swap them. Front lower a-arm bushings are the same way...especially the aft bushing.

I would also check the diff mounts. They use a similar rubber as the motor mounts but they are actually filled with a gel. If the rubber has deteriorated from the salt, then they may leak.

Also, I would check all the suspension bolts/nuts. I just saw a car from the UK and nearly ever suspension bolt was corroded. Unless you want to replace them all, I would just start squirting them with Liquid Wrench/PB Blaster/WD40 regularly.

 

Thanks! I appreciate your reply. I will check all those items today.

 

I just completed spraying every rusty bolt under the car with WD40 and after wiping them clean, it appears they are all still in good shape. The car rides even smoother now it seems.

I read somewhere about using silicone spray for rubber parts/bushings... has anybody here used them?

I also had to do some scrubbing of the transmission and differential case to remove superficial corrosion. Is there anything I can use to protect these surfaces from further deterioration?

 

I have winter driven all my cars including the s2000. Lower control arm bolts in the civics seized up. Other then that all the bushings even after 10 years of harsh Canadian winters were fine. The s2000 although has not seen as many years yet is holding up perfectly. Most of the damage is cosmetic and surface corrosion. Honda engineered the car for all environments. I would not worry about it unless its not cosmetically pleasing to you.

 

They didn't add VSA and a rear defroster for nothing.