Why, what is this?

[l0nestar]

Alright everyone,

When removing parts from my half-cut I noticed a _small_ issue. (pic1)

What is that you might ask? No, it is not tobacco... keep guessing!

[l0nestar]

If you said Rust from the coolant side, you WIN! (pic2)

The neck on the plenum side was corroded. (pic2) Is this piece replaceable? Just wondering. thanks.

[Kansei240sx]

D:

Jesus!

Yeah, thats replaceable.... take your water pump off...i cant wait to see how bad that is if the rust is that far corroded!

[themadscientist]

Those water necks are always the fist thing to go.

[Bluefire]

I bet your thermostat is rusted shut also...

-Bluefire

[noodl35]

Yea my rb26 coolant tunnels werent that bad but I did have some coolant that was in there and must of been there for a long time. I had some weird orange rust goo that was almost like a sludge form. I got some rust jelly and went to town! Got a bigggg pipe cleaner and cleaned the coolant tunnel on the exhaust side. Also cleaned the thermostat housing and the tunnel that holds it. Now on the intake side I can't get a pipe cleaner down in there but I think I got most of the crud out.

[RB20DETodd]

put it in a bag and sell it to soem high school punks for 120

[l0nestar]

Kansei,

I was already planning on ordering a new water pump, timing belt, and tensioner's today, then a oil pump in the next 2 weeks, so this just affirms that I may need to investigate the motor a wee bit more. Oh, speaking of water pumps, would it be better to get the OEM pump with my Nismo T-Stat or just bite the bullet and get an N1? The car wont be driven hard (well, not all the time at least ) but it will be my daily. I'm trying to justify the $150 premium. Interested in your thoughts.

[l0nestar]

TMS,

I figured since it was a water port and it had been sitting for over a year (or more) Just glad to find out it is replaceable! Since I don't want to get a GReddy IM ATM or a replacement stock IM. thanks for the info!

[l0nestar]

noodles,

Yeah, when I pulled the upper coolant hose on mine, it was a thick sludge. The pics are after it had dried for about half a day. I'm kinda concerned about how bad it is INSIDE the IM

[l0nestar]

Todd,

I like your thinking... Although it would be hard to try and sell it as grass since it is hard and resembles GrapeNuts cereal. But I like the idea of recuperating some money back

[l0nestar]

Bluefire,

And THAT is why I already have a NISMO thermostat! Although, I could have saved about $50 and just got a VG30 stock replacement. Oh well!

[noodl35]

Lonestar: I don't think it will be a problem. Use some kind of rust dissolver and buy a small pipe cleaner to clean the coolant pipes, and a long large pipe cleaner ( I bought a rubbermaid refrigerator pipe cleaner) and stick it in the tunnels. THe rust jelly leaves a white residue which I need to take off soon. I'm going to use just regular soap and warm water and go at it again.

[noodl35]

ALso cover up all the oil feed and return tubes. Get a hose and stick it in each coolant tunnel so you can wash out all that rust and rust jelly..etc. Radiator cleaner might be a good idea as well. Take some pics of the rust so everyone can see what you're talking about.

[l0nestar]

Noodles,

Thanks for the tip! I'll look into removing the IM shortly, after I get the engine on a stand. I will also try and take pictures of the progress for informing others. Again, thanks!