white dusting on pipe?

Gman2 · 30th November 2008, 17:33

I've always wondered what the white dusting is on the lightweight, corrugated type pipe that runs across the top of the radiator? I've had it more or less since buying the car and have seen it on others. Is it something to do with coolant?

pab · 30th November 2008, 19:55

is that the pipe above the top hose with a flexi cover round it.
pab

T-Cut · 30th November 2008, 20:42

The corrugated sheath covers the A/C pipework to reduce radiant heat from the engine. Upper left in the photo.

It seems to be made from a paper-like composit. The deposit you talk about doesn't come from the coolant side that's for sure. I can't say I've noticed the stuff, but I'll check next time I lift the bonnet. Could it just be road dust? The buff coloured stuff on the headlamp adjuster is 'sand' thrown up from the road. Is this what you mean?

TC

Gman2 · 1st December 2008, 06:19

That's the pipe! It's not road dirt and definately a white chalky/dust type deposit. I've seen it on a 1.8 75 that viewed last week. My main concern was some sort of crystalline coolant deposit - likely nothing to worry about then - OR IS IT........

T-Cut · 1st December 2008, 09:40

I just had a close look at mine. The corrugated sheath is actually made from aluminium foil with a sort of black fibre coating. There was no white dust, but I think I know what you saw. I noticed that some of the ridges on the pipe were worn through to the aluminium. I think this will produce corrosion over time. Aluminium normally gets a thin coating of oxide which protects it from further deterioration. However, foil is different in that it's too thin to support the coating, so I suspect it's just a dusting of aluminium oxide. You could probably stop/limit this by giving it a spray over with WD40 now and then.

TC

Gman2 · 1st December 2008, 12:16

Cheers T-Cut!

30th November 2008, 17:33	#1
Gman2 Posted a thing or two ZTT+ 1.8T, mgf 1.8 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Warrington Posts: 1,550 Thanks: 28 Thanked 65 Times in 42 Posts	white dusting on pipe? I've always wondered what the white dusting is on the lightweight, corrugated type pipe that runs across the top of the radiator? I've had it more or less since buying the car and have seen it on others. Is it something to do with coolant?

30th November 2008, 20:42	#3
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	The corrugated sheath covers the A/C pipework to reduce radiant heat from the engine. Upper left in the photo. It seems to be made from a paper-like composit. The deposit you talk about doesn't come from the coolant side that's for sure. I can't say I've noticed the stuff, but I'll check next time I lift the bonnet. Could it just be road dust? The buff coloured stuff on the headlamp adjuster is 'sand' thrown up from the road. Is this what you mean? TC Last edited by T-Cut; 30th November 2008 at 21:00.. Reason: Inserted image

30th November 2008, 19:55	#2
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	is that the pipe above the top hose with a flexi cover round it. pab

1st December 2008, 06:19	#4
Gman2 Posted a thing or two ZTT+ 1.8T, mgf 1.8 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Warrington Posts: 1,550 Thanks: 28 Thanked 65 Times in 42 Posts	That's the pipe! It's not road dirt and definately a white chalky/dust type deposit. I've seen it on a 1.8 75 that viewed last week. My main concern was some sort of crystalline coolant deposit - likely nothing to worry about then - OR IS IT........

1st December 2008, 09:40	#5
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	I just had a close look at mine. The corrugated sheath is actually made from aluminium foil with a sort of black fibre coating. There was no white dust, but I think I know what you saw. I noticed that some of the ridges on the pipe were worn through to the aluminium. I think this will produce corrosion over time. Aluminium normally gets a thin coating of oxide which protects it from further deterioration. However, foil is different in that it's too thin to support the coating, so I suspect it's just a dusting of aluminium oxide. You could probably stop/limit this by giving it a spray over with WD40 now and then. TC

1st December 2008, 12:16	#6
Gman2 Posted a thing or two ZTT+ 1.8T, mgf 1.8 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Warrington Posts: 1,550 Thanks: 28 Thanked 65 Times in 42 Posts	Cheers T-Cut!