pully rust

[TimF]

Unfortunately my car sits outside and surface rust is developing all over my drive pulleys. My tensioner, timing belt, tensioner pulley and idle pulley are brand new. But from sitting outside they are developing surface rust. Same is going for my crank pulley. The car won't be driven in.snow and salt. I am just worried could this rust effect my drive pulleys and cause them to fail? If I spray one of those rust inhibiting oil would that.help.or possibly ruin my belt? Just curious if there is a way.to prevent the surface rust

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

How about painting the pulleys?

 

[crimsondragon]

How often are you driving it?

 

[buhay6]

I have the same problem, my engine sat for 7 years.....

 

[Th3DooM]

Just let the car idle and warm up for a couple of minutes every other day or at least once a week and you'll get rid of the rust.

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

Just let the car idle and warm up for a couple of minutes every other day or at least once a week and you'll get rid of the rust.

How would idling the car remove rust? WTF

Take the pulleys off, clean them and spray paint them. Problem sovled.

 

[DogWhistle]

Wire brush the pulleys in place, on the car, being careful not to snag a belt. Rust-preventative paint also comes in brush-on cans. You can achieve the same protection without having to remove the pulleys.

 

[Th3DooM]

How would idling the car remove rust? WTF

Take the pulleys off, clean them and spray paint them. Problem sovled.

The belts will rub off the surface rust on the pulley's running surface and kind of polish them. Never wondered why your tensioner pulleys look so shiny when you replace them?

 

[bryanwheat]

I am assuming that you have no timing cover? And would you guys stop telling him to paint the damn timing belt pullies. There is no need, this will only cause problems down the road when the paint peels off.

 

[92AWDHX40]

That's a first never wanted to paint them just the other ones power steering, and water pump.

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

The belts will rub off the surface rust on the pulley's running surface and kind of polish them. Never wondered why your tensioner pulleys look so shiny when you replace them?

Yea I understand that, it seemed to me that the OP was talking about the rust around the pulleys (not where the belt rubs).

I am assuming that you have no timing cover? And would you guys stop telling him to paint the damn timing belt pullies. There is no need, this will only cause problems down the road when the paint peels off.

Every time I painted pulleys (never the timing ones, just power steering, alt, and a/c) I used a strip of masking tape around the pulley where the belt goes. A well prepped piece of metal thats been spray painted shouldn't just peel off.

As for getting the surface rust off where the actual belt touches, Th3DooM is right about starting the car. I usually start it anyways when my car sits for the winter months just to keep her ready!

 

[92AWDHX40]

Yeah I say as long as it works adam.

 

[TimF]

Thanks for the replys I just just curious if the rust may cause an issue. No I dont currently have a cover but I plan on getting one (don't have an extra) and I dont drive the car. The pedal assembly was worn and I am about to put it on again right now. But I do turn the car on and let it idle at least once a week. Although its been two weeks since I started it.