So I had the valve cover off of my car for a couple weeks now, hood closed, and noticed that in the last few days since I worked on it last a small amount of surface rust started to form on the intake and exhaust cams where the oil dried out or something.

I poured some fresh oil on them to prevent any more rust from forming before I put it all back together tomorrow, and I was able to wipe most of the visible rust off with an oil-soaked paper towel.

Now I'm wondering should I bother cleaning the rest of it off or considering the small amount of rust can I just assume it's going to work itself off and get caught in the oil filter? Iron oxide supposedly has a lower hardness than iron, so I'm guessing it should just powder off without causing any further damage to the machined surfaces? If I must clean it off, is there a good way to go about that without having to remove the cams?

[Edited on October 27, 2008 at 6:41 PM. Reason : *]

10/27/2008 6:37:10 PM

ahh, i had this happen.

i just got some mothers polish and used some red scotch bright and cleaned them up.

heck you can probably use a dremel and a buffing wheel.

or you can probably just rub hard and it'll come off

10/27/2008 6:40:12 PM

Quote :

"so I'm guessing it should just powder off without causing any further damage to the machined surfaces"

its still harder than babbit and aluminum

[Edited on October 28, 2008 at 10:45 AM. Reason : rust is the least of your worries, imagine how much dust and dirt got in there in that time ]

10/28/2008 10:44:53 AM

It's just weak phosphoric acid, but works well. Be sure to rinse and dry it before reinstalling in the car.

Once you finish working on the car, change your oil.

10/28/2008 4:55:54 PM

is this still that damn ragged out miata?

10/29/2008 10:43:50 AM

YES

I'll drive it 'till the wheels fall off... and maybe then some

11/2/2008 9:30:15 PM