What are this white deposits on this metal part in the engine bay?
#1
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 535 xi - M Sport Pkg & other goodies
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I don't even know what the part is / does... Which would be my first question. ![Big Grin](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/biggrin.gif)
I've noticed these white deposits on it, and I wiped them off once, and they came back a week later. They're like the deposits you see on AA batteries that have leaked...
The car doesn't get driven every day (every few days probably), and we live in the Pacific Northwest, so it's quite wet and rainy these days (car's parked outside all the time).
My other car, which is a 335, has the exact same engine, and is parked in the garage overnights but outside during the day at work, and doesn't have the same deposits. So I'm a bit puzzled what they are / is going on...
.
.
.
![Big Grin](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/biggrin.gif)
I've noticed these white deposits on it, and I wiped them off once, and they came back a week later. They're like the deposits you see on AA batteries that have leaked...
The car doesn't get driven every day (every few days probably), and we live in the Pacific Northwest, so it's quite wet and rainy these days (car's parked outside all the time).
My other car, which is a 335, has the exact same engine, and is parked in the garage overnights but outside during the day at work, and doesn't have the same deposits. So I'm a bit puzzled what they are / is going on...
.
.
.
![](http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq266/Lotus100/Snapbucket/94BE3E43.jpg)
#3
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 535 xi - M Sport Pkg & other goodies
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Good point... Forgot to mention this car gets driven mainly on weekends when we go up to the local mountains, and they salt the highway. Whereas my 3 series only sees city driving, and we get almost no snow here, so they rarely salt the streets.
So it sounds like that's it, and nothing to worry about?
PS What is that part? And there's another one below it, somewhat visible. Is it the starter?
So it sounds like that's it, and nothing to worry about?
PS What is that part? And there's another one below it, somewhat visible. Is it the starter?
#5
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 535 xi - M Sport Pkg & other goodies
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hmmm... The part on the right side, seems to have wound coils in it, that's why i figured it was some sort of motor.
#9
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UpState SC
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i LCI with sports/premium package, Sports trans with paddle shifters, CF emblems, JB4 Software, Dinan Exhaust, Navigation, M5Tech body kit, Carbon wrap interrior trim and CIC Controller.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I would say more like something to be concerned about. It's corrosion and any kind of corrosion is not a good thing. You could possibly have problems with things like wire connections and connectors if left unattended. My son is in Cleveland, OH finishing up med school and his wife had a honda accord that had the same condition but much worse because it was just left that way. They were constantly having issues with connectors etc. of course there car was much older but that's my point. You can google and there is a spray on cleaner that will help keep the corrosion down. Search for aluminum corrosion cleaner etc and you should find plenty of choices. I personally don't see anything wrong with it at the moment but maybe a few years down the road....?
#10
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 535 xi - M Sport Pkg & other goodies
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Tony, thanks for the perspective. I hadn't thought of that issue... Luckily, we only have the salt maybe 4 months of the year here, as opposed to back east, where it's more like 6 to 7, but still.
An alum specific spray is a good idea, rather than plain WD40? WD40 in theory should be ok:
What surfaces or materials are OK to use WD-40 Multi-Use Product on?
WD-40 Multi-Use Product can be used on just about everything. It is safe to use on metal, rubber, wood and plastic. It can also be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40 Multi-Use Product.
An alum specific spray is a good idea, rather than plain WD40? WD40 in theory should be ok:
What surfaces or materials are OK to use WD-40 Multi-Use Product on?
WD-40 Multi-Use Product can be used on just about everything. It is safe to use on metal, rubber, wood and plastic. It can also be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40 Multi-Use Product.