why is my timing chain rusting???

[leper421]

I pulled the upper timing cover off the other day and saw that both chains, the cam sprockets and the tensioners all have scaley rust growing on them. It looks like the same kind of rust you get on the hot exhaust parts. All of the above mentioned parts were replace a year ago by myself. The original chain and parts were not rusted at all. All the rusty parts seem to have oil on them. Oddly, the idler sprocket seems to be rust free.I have a few thoughs on what might be causing this:

1. Its not getting enough oil or its overheating.

2. The oil is too acidic and its starting to oxidize the metal.

3. I used extremly crappy parts. This one is backed up by the fact that the idler sprocket is not rusty, just the stuff I replaced.

I can rule out the water in the oil possibilty that everyone mentions, because there isnt and never was water in the oil (I do the oil changes).

what do you think it could be?

[TrunkMonkey]

3. I used extremly crappy parts.

where did you get your parts from?

-demetrius

[leper421]

where did you get your parts from?

-demetrius

expressautoparts.com, $200 for two chains, 3 sprockets, 3 guides, and 2 tensioners.