Hi Guys,

I have been told that XJ models that are made of aluminium, body and frame might corrode when they are in a salty environment. Would a oil protection or some kind of Ziebart would help? This is a great concern for me because I live near Montreal and snow and salt are part of my life at least for 4 months. My 2005 XJR is spotless and I would like to keep it in the same shape.

Any suggestions would be helpfull.

 

The short answer is Yes, because Ziebart and other "slushing oils" like Waxoyl that we have in the UK, work by excluding oxygen from the metal and also contain corrosion inhibitors. However, as far as I know, the corrosion issue on X350s has so far been cosmetic appearance. Nobody has reported any serious corrosion likely to threaten the integrity of the body, (yet !!).

 

Reading the other thread about the corroded rear doors on a 2006 XJ had me freaking out - I thought surely being all aluminum, that would at least be ONE thing I would not have to worry about! I also thought I might actually take this car out this winter, thinking it would be impervious to the salt that the idiots at MODoT just love to throw all over at the slightest hint of snow....but looks like it will stay in the garage after all. Does anyone have pics of what this corrosion looks like??

 

Here are some from a different site:

http://qprpics.co.uk/gallery2/d/1392...ar+XJ-0591.jpg

http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/y...r%20corrosion/

 

Wow, that really freaks me out!

 

Geez - those are so close up, I can't tell what year car it is - do we know that's a newer AL example??

 

The first one is a 2005 XJR and the other one is a 2007 model.

There are owners of the latest XK8 on the UK forum complaining about corrosion as well so it looks like it is an ongoing problem but probably limited to countries that use salt on the road over winter.

 

In those pics it looks like there was body work done prior to the corrosion.
If everything is not done right the salt can get in and corrode it. We have probably seen this at one time or another on cars that are made of metal and aluminum is not different when it comes to salt.

I wash my car down good on a regular basis including under carriage in the winter. Get all the crevices.

I also use this product http://www.fluid-film.com after the car gets over 5 years old in suspect areas that may be prone to rust/corrosion.

My last Benz was 23 years old and still looked new when we got the 350 XJ8.

It takes work however the chances of rust can be greatly reduced.

One more tid-bit.
In the winter I never use the garage if there is salty wet slush clinging to the underside. It seems when its frozen the rust effect is greatly reduced.

 

I have heard the same thing. However they use a LOT of salt around here - which has always p|ssed me off - I think the hwy dept should be charged with damaging people's vehicles. You cannot smoke in public because it's a known carcinogen - how is destroying vehicles any different.....but I digress.....I don't plan to ever let salt get on the Jag - simply paid too much for it. I will drive the Prizm when there's a threat - it's pretty nice for a beater (60k miles).
I am lucky to have rust-free vehicles, which is rare in this area for example on the Miatas, and I hope to keep them that way.

 

In NH we have a bare road policy at all times.
Do the math on the amount of salt used.

I have had cars I simply refused to drive in the winter because of this very reason.
If I were to use the XJ8 Jag every day, I would use a beater for sure. It gets used occasionaly and at my age it's aluminum body will outlast mine.