[theclarkfam]

About 6 month ago I started to notice that my exhaust was turning a brown color. I didn't think much of it since an exhaust can change different colors. Yesterday I crawled under my car and it is rusting. My car is less that 2 years old straight from the factory and the entire exhaust system supports and all are rusting. I would this that salt was a big facctor but I live in a area that forbids salting the roads. We will be taking it to the dealer in a few days to see what can be done about this.

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

theclarkfam,

Dont feel like the lone ranger. Think this is what you are talking about...the support rod for the mufflers at the tail. Heres a few snaps of mine and it is an 09 I took delivery on 7/28/09.

Plan A is to see what the dealer says.

Plan B is to buy a can of Eastwoods Rust Encapsulator and coat the rods myself (this vehicle is a keeper...long term.

Post your response/results from your dealer trip.

Regards,

Jim

 

[6Sixathome]

I think that you are farther ahead to go with plan B!

 

[theclarkfam]

Thanks for the pics Jim thats identical to what's going on with mine. I haven't made it to the dealer yet because the nearest is 60 miles away but I will be sure to update this post with what I found out at the dealer.

Will

 

[theclarkfam]

***update***
I am still waiting to get my vehicle in the shop to get this checked. The dealers just sent a letter around saying that the two dealers nearest to me are not closing shop in the near future so I am still stuck with driving 75 minutes to get to the nearest one.
My ship is also going out to sea so I will have to wait till I get back to take care of this issue. If some by chance has this problem and gets it checked and wants to report on this threat please do so that we will all know saturns answer to this issue.

Will

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

theclarkfam & Others,

Sorry for the delay of posting Saturn's official responses to my request to replace the support rods for the exhaust on my '09 XR (see pics above).

I have a good rapport with the Sales and Service Department at the Saturn of Lakeside Dealership on Hall Road. Pete Salich is the Service Manager there and when I called him about this he asked if I could provide pics which I did directly to him via e-mail (the ones above). Pete called me back and said he's quite willing to do something as long as Saturn would honor this as a warranty item. His submission of my pics to the North Central Regiion Zone District Service Manager, Jay Townsend resulted in a rejection of correction. I, frankly, was kinda' surprised on this rejection. I am attaching that rejection in the form of an e-mail back to the Saturn Service Manager.

Certainly there is no degradation to the performance of the part...right now. My complaint is the whole undercarriage of this vehicle is devoid of any rust save for these support rods to the exhaust system. Pete Salich hands were tied but he encouraged me to appeal to the Zone District Service Manager...which I did.

I am also attaching the rejection of that appeal (copy of letter directly to me).

So, this has been my experience on this issue. I've asked for a fix from the dealer who in turn requested a read from Saturn's Zone Manager...rejected as normal surface stuff. My plan is Plan B as I stated further up on this topic.

Curious to see if others here having this managed a different outcome.

Jim

 

[6Sixathome]

I just looked at mine and the exhaust itself is rust free but the support brackets are rusty. I think that I will get a can of plan B :thumb:

 

[BigTallV]

Checkout POR-15.

http://www.por15.com/

Forum members on a 'vette site use this on their frames, trailing arms, etc. Anywhere they want to lock down rust and prevent further decay.

Haven't used this myself, but sounds like it might be a good fit for the rusting/rusted exhaust support rods on my '09 Outlook XR (was built in Sept. 08 and we took it new off the dealer in June '09). Only have 10,000KM's on it.

The rest of the surface discolouration on the stainless steel exhaust is "cleanable". Some people have even used Mr. Clean Magic Erasers on it!

Regards,
/BTV

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

BigTallV,

Yup, familiar with POR15. Excellent product. Funny you should mention the Corvette sites. I frequent the Corvetteforum.com site using the handle 6T5RUSH. I've personally used POR15 and then b/4 it drys topcoat with whatever color needed. Did my spring as well as rear end housing with this product. I've also had very good results with the Eastwood products.

Regards,

Jim

 

[6Sixathome]

I went out and took some pic's. Pic 1 is of the OUTLOOK and pic 2 is of my 05' VUE that I just bought. 10 mth old OUTLOOK with rusty supports and a 5 yr old VUE with no rust ???.

 

[BigTallV]

BigTallV,

Yup, familiar with POR15. Excellent product. Funny you should mention the Corvette sites. I frequent the Corvetteforum.com site using the handle 6T5RUSH. I've personally used POR15 and then b/4 it drys topcoat with whatever color needed. Did my spring as well as rear end housing with this product. I've also had very good results with the Eastwood products.

Regards,

Jim

JIM: How did you apply product and the topcoat? I'm a little concerned about overspray. I'd have some masking off to do if I'm to treat this rust.

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

BigTallV,

Use those throw away small sponge brushes to apply the POR15. For the top coat, just spray what final color (from a rattle can) into the top of the can, again using the throw away sponge brushes. No masking needed and just toss what you have used into the trash.

6Sixathome,

Ya' know, my '06 VUE was also void of any rust on these support rods. It's clear the supplier of these did not prep the metal or they switched suppliers with no quality control in place.

Jim

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

Here is the result of my applying "Plan B" to fix all the rusted exhaust supports on my '09 XR. Here's a pic of the products I used to do the job. Again, this was a no-biggy for me because of the lift I have in my garage to do this.

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

Here are 4 pics of the end result using the Eastwood Rust Encapsulator and Exhaust Paint. The large jug in the above post is a metal ready non-toxic product which I applied first with a rag.

I've trapped the rust and sealed it with the exhaust paint (600 degree type). There are higher temp exhaust paint you could use. Time will tell. For now I am a happy camper.

 

[6Sixathome]

Nice job :thumb:. The next time that I go to my Saturn dealer I'll show my rusty supports to them and see what kind of response I get(not expecting much). I also think that it is terrible that you have a lift in your garage and I do not . JK.

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

Hey 6Sixathome,

Thanks! I have to tell you, back in 2001 I decided to plunge and purchase this lift. Did have to do some minor surgery to my garage roof (inside). The floor to ceiling height was 110". That and raising the tracks to the roll up door made it work. My house is a hip roof design with a 2 1/2 car attached garage. Basically I made a 3 car garage out of it. The days of my benchpressing a tranny on a cold concrete floor are, in the words of Ernie Harwell: "Long Gone". LOL!!

Jim

 

[6Sixathome]

The 2010 Acadia that I got today for a loner has rusted exhaust supports as well. Must be standard now ???.

 

[09XRFWDOWNER]

Kinda' wonder if this issue would get more attention if a greater percentage of Lambda owners actually eyeballed their undercarriage. Really think to fix this, GM needs enough negative feedback which would generate a fix (back to the vendor to correct their pickling process or coating process) AND, of course, replace these rusty components.

Jim
In God We Trust!