[BZTreg]

I've encountered some rusting parts on my Treg so I decided to contact VW of America regarding corrosion warranty. Since the warranty is for unlimited miles, I asked them to honor the warranty and give me a solution to this problem. Of course they responded that they would not cover any expensive regarding corrosion because the car was exported outside of the USA.

So I'm not sure what to do. Is there a treatment for this? Anyone has experienced something similiar?

 

[mckchr67]

Just curious how many miles are on it, and where was it before exported from the USA? Treatment wise is to have the underside recoated which costs a lot to have it done right if you plan on keeping this for 400,000 whatever units you want to say. I would say there would have to be section loss, or holes through parts to be considered premature failure. There are a lot more wise people here that probably have more experience with VW's than I do.

For example I drive in a rural area in Pennsylvania USA and my cars encounter winter road treatments that consist of rock salt blended with/and/or... lime stone/sand stone sand, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, and whatever other experimental treatments on the rural and interstate roadways. These various winter road treatments will do something like this a car if not washed off through out the winter and over the life of the car... Every car I have ever owned living where I do looks like this...

 

[volkswagendude]

What you are seeing under there is perfectly normal and should be of no concern. The steel parts under there are so thick and heavy, that you can probably throw them in the ocean, and they will still be there 100 years later. This is not to be confused with sheet metal, which is very thin in comparison.

VW covers rust perforation on sheet metal for 12 years unlimited mileage, but covers nothing else on the car like what you are showing in the pictures.

I have the very beginning of what looks like a bubble forming on my rear hatch, 1 inch below the VW emblem. It really depressed me when I saw it. It is very small, no one but me would ever notice it, but it will grow as time goes by. I think that I will take of the back inner panels, to get a better look of what is going on in there.

 

[siberian]

What you have is surface rust. Nothing to worry about.

siberian

 

[simon38sp]

I imported an 2007 Touareg from England and it shows some of the same problems but not to the same extent of yours mind you.
Mine is limited to the fasteners under the car.
My guess is its from the salt used on the roads during the winter.
I bought some CRC anti rust spray and have given all the nuts and bolts a bit of a spray. I re-do it every couple of months. Looks like its keeping it in check.
Coming from a engineering background rust is impossible to stop once its there. You can do what I have done, replace all the fasterners with new ones or remove all the fasterners and have them bead blasted then recoated.

All the best.

 

[4eTouareg]

What VWdude said.
The rotors eg are cast iron and will never rust away before they wear away. Are are not treated / painted when leaving the factory.
There are different ways to treat surfaces against corrosion.
Spray often with WD40 or equivalent.
Have underbody treated with Waxoyl (our local product), or equivalent.

 

[Sebbers]

Does this 12 year unlimited mileage apply in Canada as well???

 

[OILSLURPER]

The only way we'd get that down here is with beach driving and salt water. What you have is surface rust - oxidisation. It's superficial and I suggest if you can access running water in winter, drive your vehicle over a sprinkler after you get off the road treated with whatever crap they put on it in winter. Otherwise, a surface protectorant will assist. I spray and wipe my galvanised steel boat trailer with a solution called Inox. Keeps it rust free and shiny. This stuff:

www.inoxed.com/mx3.htm

 

[nickm]

Does this 12 year unlimited mileage apply in Canada as well???

Yes, body panels only, and the 12 years is perforation -not surface rust.

 

[BZTreg]

Thanks to all for the input. The car has 52K miles. I bought it about 5 months ago from Wayne, Michigan, so i'm assuming the issue was the salt during the winter.

On the good side I imported it to southamerica where we have no need for salt during the winter and we are land locked so no oceanside driving.
I really like the Treg so I would like to keep it if everything goes well for another 4 years or so. That's why I would like to take care of this oxidation now that it's superficial before it gets worse.
I know the chassis should hold up just fine, I was more concerned with the suspension nuts & bolts and also the front of the engine (first pics)

I will check out the recomendations you guys gave me. Thanks again

 

[volkswagendude]

If you ever plan to DIY, best to spray the bolts with something like WD-40 at the very least so that you NEVER need to take out the torch gun when time comes to take those suckers off.

You might want to look into POR 15 for the undercarriage also. Never used it, but have heard great stuff about it.

Interesting to note. VW will void, disqualify you of the 12 year perforation warranty, if you use any type of anti rust inside the body panels :confused2:

 

[BZTreg]

Mmmm interesting that they would void the warranty if you try to fixed it yourself but would not take care of it under warranty since it's too superficial. So bascially I should just wait till the car falls apart due to the rust and then claim the warranty...again...interesting...

 

[volkswagendude]

Mmmm interesting that they would void the warranty if you try to fixed it yourself but would not take care of it under warranty since it's too superficial. So bascially I should just wait till the car falls apart due to the rust and then claim the warranty...again...interesting...

Well ..er...yes...

In your case, you simply haven't reported body panel bubbling(rust perforation) to begin with, so you really have nothing to be depressed about.. This is what the warranty covers. Two words, body__panels. All else under the vehicle chassis is not covered, unless there is a specific item with its own set of rules, like eg, stainless steel exhaust. Nothing under the vehicle is covered for rust. Never was, never will be, and this applies to any other auto manufacturer.

 

[BZTreg]

Thanks for the explanation. I was not aware of that. Thought the corrosion warranty covered the whole car. Ohh well you learn something new everyday...

 

[QPower1]

You could sand/steel wool the engine surfaces and spray paint with the appropriate color/temperature/anti-rust paint, or brush on the same. Take care to note what had been on there. Michigan weather would definitely cause superficial rust and corrosion as you have pictured it. The recommendation to regularly wash the vehicle is a good one, to keep salt off, but if you are in a drier, arid climate, then this is less about the chassis and more about the dirt.

This will take labor and TLC, so be prepared to spend some time at this. Over the next four years, the biggest issue would be accessing parts that need repair, like brakes, front end, shocks/struts, etc. The big bolts at the bottom of the chassis are not going to be a concern. They hold major subassemblies together, which are unlikely to need to be addressed, unless you have an accident...

Good luck with your Touareg in South America!

 

[BZTreg]

You could sand/steel wool the engine surfaces and spray paint with the appropriate color/temperature/anti-rust paint, or brush on the same. Take care to note what had been on there. Michigan weather would definitely cause superficial rust and corrosion as you have pictured it. The recommendation to regularly wash the vehicle is a good one, to keep salt off, but if you are in a drier, arid climate, then this is less about the chassis and more about the dirt.

This will take labor and TLC, so be prepared to spend some time at this. Over the next four years, the biggest issue would be accessing parts that need repair, like brakes, front end, shocks/struts, etc. The big bolts at the bottom of the chassis are not going to be a concern. They hold major subassemblies together, which are unlikely to need to be addressed, unless you have an accident...

Good luck with your Touareg in South America!

Thanks Qpower1! I might just do that.
Btw I lived in MA for 5 years, Andover to be more precise. Really enjoyed living there!

 

[JawadTreg]

Hey, Do you know if this counts towards rust inside the gas door? Inside of my gas opener has rust on the inside.

 

[noobytoogy]

No.