metal rot
 

I'm just wondering if anyone has the same thing happening on their 2000+. I popped up my back seat today to discover white crust, and rust all over the floor pan and many metal pieces. any idea how this happened and any suggestions for what I should do?


https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ite03/rust.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...te03/rust4.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...te03/rust3.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...te03/rust2.jpg

Looks like rust my friend. Never seen it before? :)

Chances are, it came from somebody spilling something, heavy cleaning, or just moisture from the winter. Sand it down and repaint were necessary. A rust proofing primer or paint may be in order if you feel necessary. As long as it isn't rusted through, you have no problems.. if it is rusted through [HIGHLY unlikely, even I don't have any body parts rusting through], then you are screwed. Hopefully your warranty covers rust damage :)


-justin

I know it's rust. ;) I just don't know what could of caused it on a 3 year old car. :cry:

Make sure the battery is not leaking and the vent pipes for the battery are clear. I have had 2 AC/DElco batteries leak that did a lot of damage on my wifes truck.

Well, it's very plausable. Scratch the paint off a piece of metal. Then dip it in some water. Over several days, that metal will rust. It is very possible for surface rust to spread fast.

I didn't think about the battery thing.. the venting problem could accelerate the rusting process.


-justin

Several months ago, someone posted that they couldn't figure out what the brown stuff was under the rear seat. Turns out his battery cracked and leaked. The acid then ate a hole in his floor pan.
Another great idea from GM. It used to be that only the battery tray would rot out or at worst, maybe a hole in the inner fender, both easily fixed or replaced. Obvioulsy not so with the floor pan.
I posted before the pictures had loaded(56k). Especially that hold down clip looks like electrolysis has attacked it.

I wonder if the GM corrosion warranty would kick in over something like this? It only covers rust-through of body panels....I would consider the floors a very big body panel, haha!

im thinking it had one of the many common water leaks and it got a little moist back there

GM has been dealing with this battery-caused corrosion for some time, they even have a repair kit & tech bulletin in place for this condition:

"Floor Pan Repair: Owners of some 2000-05 LeSabre, DeVille, Aurora, or Bonneville vehicles may comment on corrosion in the floor pan in the area where the battery is located. This may be caused by acid weeping from the battery, or from a dislodged battery vent tube. A new repair floor pan kit p/n 88948594 has been released to assist in the repair of this condition. Refer to Bulletin 05-08-61-002 for repair procedures and part number information. Clean the area of the floor pan where acid may have been present, using a solution of baking soda and water. Rinse and dry the area thoroughly."

I guess we'll have to start pulling the rear seat at oil changes to check on the battery, ugh! :?