Q's and rust???

[Dinkydow]

I have a 94 Q that has always been in either Los Angeles or Las Vegas until I purchased her in Dec. I drove it home and parked it, and will not drive it until spring. The question is Iam getting antcy to drive it but Iam worried about all the salt they put on the roads up here in the tundra. Even though it is a 94, since it has never seen salt, will it rust at the same time lenght as if I would have purchased it new and subjected it to salt right away??? Or put another way if I was to subject it to salt now how long do you think before it started rusting?? Thanks Wayne

[PalmerWMD]

Q's have excellent rust protection.

If the paint is original and uninjured it will be a very long time indeed until you start seeing rust.

I really wouldnt worry about rust too much, especially if the car gets a wash in regular intervals.Come to think about it I have never seen a badly rusted Q even in MN.

Fred..

PS: You are excercising the car at least every 2-3 weeks right?

[maxnix]

When I was in MN this last spring, I saw cars that I could not tell how there was enough metal between the axles to keep them from collapsing. While the Q45s have superior rustproofing and galvanization, they are still steel and will rust. Drive a beater during salt season.

The rubber and alloys underneath don't like a salt spray either.

[Dinkydow]

Thanks for answers on both oil filter and possible rust!! No I have just let it sit. It sounds like I shouldn't just let it sit. What is the down side of not excersing it?? Wayne

[PalmerWMD]

The downside is, water creeps into your fluids including those who shouldnt have any in it.

Also your tires will get out-of round perhaps permanently.

Also gaskets may dry out, if given enough time that may include your engine gaskets.

As a minimum one should get the car and <all> its fluids up to full operating temp, also be sure to turn on the AC, even if only on defrost, if u dont want to create uneccessary leaks in your AC.

Fred...

[AZhitman]

My Q spent two years in Jersey, and the undercarriage shows it. Some of the alloys Nissan used are especially susceptible. If you drive her in the salt (and you SHOULD drive her), rinse her well afterwards and pak her in a well-ventilated garage.

[911/Q45]

My first Q spent 4 winters in Omaha and stayed very nice. There was a spot where two seams come together on the rear door sill that had some surface rust. I think your rust free car will last as long as you are interested in it, even if you drive it during the winter. You can buy a lot of repairs and upgrades for what it costs to run a winter beater and fix problems caused by the car sitting unused. Not to mention missing driving your Q for a good chunk of the year. You can always buy another rust free one cheap and swap parts, as the things that wear out aren't the same things that rust.

[elwesso]

I drive my Q in the winter, and my technique is simple. Park it outside so that snow gets on it, and let it melt off. Since mine is a darker color (burgundy) it melts off fast, taking most of the salt residue with it.