I've just cleaned my engine bay and have noticed that a small part of the red engine cover paint has flaked away. It's only a small bit so I'm not that bothered but it would be a shame if all that lovely red paint is going to start flaking away. Has anyone any ideas for prevented the spread?

I'll put a pic up later when I fit my de-rusted radiator brackets.

I wonder whether Honda will consider it as part of the 6 year corrosion warranty - probably not

 

Bit sad that cleaning your engine bay on New Years Eve!
I just had a go at my wheels!

I wonder how much a new cover is? Can't think what else you can do short of perhaps painting it with heat resistent stuff. Shame...... that red cover plate is the best reason for opening the bonnet.

 

Yes it is a bit sad, but I'm getting a bit bored of Christmas now. I even did some work last night

 

There are also some marks on the top left of the cover, I thought it was dirt, but it doesn't want to come off and I don't want to rub too hard.

Still, it looks better than when it was dirty. Before anyone mentions it I know that the radiator brackets aren't fitted yet - they're still drying and will have to go tomorrow.

 

Does this mean that alloy wheels are also covered for 6 years for corrosion?

 

I don't know, but I intend to take it up with my dealer, as one of mine is getting pretty bad. Andy (previous owner of my car) got some of the wheels changed by a dealer after the 3 year warranty.

it doesn't look promising if you look at their website
However, we should have trading standards on our side if we can prove that there is a known fault.

 

I have a flake missing about half that size under where the top of the dipstick sits. I've not got around to doing anything with it as its covered by the plastic top of the dipstick.

Also interested to know if its covered by warranty. else I'll be looking into heat resistant paint etc if there's an exact colour match.

 

Paint flaking off the valve cover is common on older Honda's. Once any kind of contaminant gets under the flaking you're stuffed - the only way to fully stop it, is to remove the cover, take off the rubber seals, strip it and fully repaint it. You can get crackle finish paint to go for a similar shade (or go for a normal smooth finish, or a custom finish). Just painting the flaked area has never lasted on any of the ones I've seen. Normally it starts where there's been some damage to the paint surface.

-Brian.

 

How big a job is it to remove the cover? I assume that any vehicle repairers would be able to do this? Or would it be cheaper to get a new cover?

 

Had the same thing when I had my ATR, got it replaced under warranty. Think it was within the 3 years though?!