rust under the bonnet

Sorry, I don't really have an answer for you. I've only looked at new Prius. That corrosion around the bolts is really strange. That level of specific corrosion on a 2 year old vehicle would make me nervous. My 1993 Accord didn't have that level of corrosion and it had 17+ years of exposure to the elements...in the Pacific NW...not the dryest region in the land.

 

Hmm, well, I have a bit of rust, but it doesn't seem as bad as the above pictures. I can confirm that pictures 2 and 4 look similar to my car.

Mine also has electrical tape on the ends of the wire looms.

 

Hmm, a bit more rust than I'd want to see, and sounds like the battery was overcharged at least once. Anyone buying a used Prius should pay a Toyota technician to thoroughly inspect the vehicle first to see what's wrong with it.

 

my 08 is completely clean, i think you are wise to ask the question and look at some more before deciding.

 

The rust doesn't look that bad to me.

Regarding the "open" wires, if you think that is bad, wait until you see the 2010 Prius with the engine ECU located in the engine compartment and the many wire connections exposed in that fashion.

 

Yes, I was shocked when I opened the hood on the 2010.

 

I noticed this same rusty bolt in your picture



on my 2009 about half year after buying it new.

 

Just some electrolytic action caused by different metals, However, the last picture shown bu the OP: that spring area is really corroded ( in 2 years?) I suspect some sort of direct salt water immersion. Probably little to NO maintenance has been done on the car. Incidently, " KUDOS " for checking out a car so thoroughly, before, ..........buying. Unless there is a tremendous discount, let some fish buy the car.:cheer2:

 

Thats an easy one. Just spray a tiny bit of the stuff linked below on every bolt head, every door hinge, every connector, the aux battery connections especially at the ground. The rust will stop and it will waterproof the connector.
Been doing this to my cars for 30 years. Years later Just wipe it off and brand new metal underneath.

Its a great product because its more grease than spray and does not smell bad like say WD40.
What your seeing is dry to the bone metal parts living in a very wet climate. Go look at your car at 3AM. Its soaking wet from the dew.

Bad news is if your getting that corroded up top the underneath is really bad.It will attack your exhaust system really bad too.
Not to much you can do about that.

I hose off the suspension parts with this stuff too. Don't go crazy just enough to lubricate the surface. Especailly the trailing arms front and back with there rubber bushings. Those bushings dry out and corrode and you start getting really sloppy suspension and lots of noises.

A girl at work asked me one day If I knew about car squeeks and rattles. I said kinda. She has a 2002 CJ5 Jeep WRangler. I looked under the car and it was clean as a whistle and everything was rusted. The leafs... everything. Under the hood everything was corroded. She said everytime it started to make noise she washed everything. Inside and out. I suggested my grease plan. She said no then everything will look greasy. I said thats a good thing. It a car. A machine.Machines like lubrication. Not rust.

3 spray cans later no squeeks.

Home Depot here not sure where in London
PM me I'll ship you some
http://www.tooltopia.com/blaster-16...tm_term=BLP16CSP&utm_campaign=pricegrabber_r1

 

Amusing website, that. Yes, I definitely don't want any nasty carcinogens attacking my car. Car cancer (would that be a carcinoma?) is the worst :_>

 

The spray does not harm rubber parts?

 

Reading the description it protects my car from "carcinogens"? So now my car can get cancer? Wonder if they offer any product that protects against high blood/oil pressure and clogged arteries or fuel lines.

 

my suspicion is that this one has been underwater- flooded in the past. My 04 prius looks better than this. do a carfax, or whatever you have about. best of luck.
kwasmart

 

That's why mine sits in the garage all winter.

 

No. But not to be used cosmetically like on rubber body mouldings or door seals as its really grease. I use Protectant on the body stuff but underneath where you have a really hard rubber bushing like in our trailing arms and a metal bushing surface this stuff is perfect.

I do spray Protectant on the CV joint boots inner and outer though.
If they dry out and crack its a hassle. If you keep them conditioned they'll last a very long time or at least until the CV joints need to be replaced.

 

No its just London. London is rainy, foggy and very dewey in the am. Not bad rust at all just never maintained. That "bonnet" latch mechanism has never seen lube in its life. One day the bonnet hatch release will not release. That sucks.

The real horror is underneath.

 

The North American model doesn't come with a bonnet. This must be a U.K. option.

Tom

 

Any particular brand of rubber protection spray do you recommend? Thanks!

 

I really like the "Black Magic" line of car products. There Protectant works really good for rubber,cv boots, door mouldings.
And there tire product is very good also. Available at any auto store and Walmart.
A dryed out ripped cv boot is such an expensive hassle when all you need to do is keep it pliable.

This stuff:
Black Magic Car Care Products - Black Magic Pro-Shine Protectant