----- Original Message -----
From: "David Brodbeck" <gull@GULL.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sun 14 March 2004 14:34
Subject: Re: Rusting Transmission Housing

> On Sat, 13 Mar 2004, Don in Phoenix wrote:
>
> > If you are going to use motor oil, use new motor oil.  Used motor oil
> > contains acid compounds it picks up as a byproduct of the combustion
> > process, and it is corrosive.  Don't ask how I know, it's not a pretty
> > story...
>
> What about used gear oil?  I've heard of that being used as a rustproofer,
> before.
>
>
> David Brodbeck, N8SRE
> '82 Volkswagen Diesel Westfalia
> '86 Volvo 240DL wagon

Used gear oil would not contain the byproducts of combustion (at least, lets
hope not!!) so should be fine.  A better choice (especially if the transaxle
is out) would be one of the POR paints, a good marine paint (not too thick,
though) or spray or paint it with cosmoline.  With oils, you would have to
renew the application much more often, and if it's only a temporary solution
until you do it right, it will make it harder to clean in preparation to
paint.

As was said, if it is aluminum corrosion you should ignore it unless it is
extremely bad.  Aluminum Oxide seals against further corrosion, and cleaning
it off will accelerate the corrosion process.

Don in Arizona - what's rust again????  :-)