Canton Oil Pan Corrosion??

CBattaglia · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 12:44 PM

I have a gold plated Canton Oil Pan. It has a white corrosive like material all over it (looks like baked on salt). I called Canton, the first guy I spoke to was unfamiliar with the problem to my surprise. Turns out that they have seen this problem only in NY. Apparently there is a new kind of salt being used here???

Anyone familiar with this?

Thanks

RedBarchetta · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 01:20 PM

Do what I did...yank that sucker and have it powder coated. It will look better and last longer. I also called Canton and they sent me some replacement stickers. See my gallery for a pick.
I personally believe that the factory Canton gold irridite finish is crap and it won't hold up to the rigors of our cars. I had some welds fail, too, so I've actually had my pan powder coated TWICE now. It's solid (again).

-Dean

patrickt · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBattaglia

Turns out that they have seen this problem only in NY. Apparently there is a new kind of salt being used here???

Anyone familiar with this?

Yes, it's Kosher.

DAVID GAGNARD · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 02:43 PM

I didn't particularly like the gold finish on my 2 pans, so I sanded them down and painted them a similar color...........works fine, no oxidation/no rust/no nothing, still looks good.........

David

jwd · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 03:34 PM

Mine still looks brand new after 2 years but I don't drive it in the rain.

Jim

Silverback51 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 03:42 PM

Had the same problem with mine, and the broken welds also. Just replaced it a few weeks ago.

If it has the same corrosion problem, I will pull it and have it powder coated.

Bobcat · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 06:08 PM

Guys ... for what it`s worth , a few years ago , I got a call from one of my customers who made aerial ladder firetrucks about a corrosion problem on some trucks that went to NY . It seemed our hydraulic fittings looked like they were growing white/gray "whiskers" and corroding . To make a long story short ... the EPA had mandated some changes on the anti corrosion coatings that are now allowed in this country , and as usual , what`s now legal ain`t worth a hoot . Also , the only state we had a serious problem with was NY .... however , keep in mind that firetrucks see a lot rougher duty than our cars do , so the problem shows up much sooner .... and the problem showed up in the winter . Someone suggested powder coating and that is probably the best solution .

Bob

Rick Parker · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 06:12 PM

Zinc Dicromate is an inexpensive industrial plating intended to improve the metals appearance and prevent rust but it doesn't hold up under adverse weather or moisture conditions. I once had a Milodon pan that I had replated locally. Speaking from first hand experience I think it holds up better than the Cad plating on the Aviaid or Armandos pans.

767Jockey · #9 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 06:23 PM

For what it's worth, I just bought a used Milodon road race pan for my FE (it's a REALLY nice pan, by the way. Hinged oil control gates, very stoutly made, and only 5 7/8" deep) - the previous owner had painted it black and it's a bit grungy, so on a whim I called Milodon about getting it re-plated. I expected them to tell me to buzz off. Instead they said that they would redo the pan and re-plate it for only $35. It's cheaper than powder coating! I don't know if they'd work on the pans of other companies, then again call the company that made the pan, in this case Canton - you may be as pleasantly surprised as I was.

Argess · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 06:35 PM

Your pan sounds like it is cadmium plated. The white powder is some sort of cadmium oxide and apparetnly is very dangerous, so wash your hands if you handle it.

To fix it, you need to have oil pan re-plated. A chemical dip process I believe.

I wish I knew more about it, but I've told what I can. Perhaps you can find out more by Googling Cadmium Plating

khansmith · #11 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 07:14 PM

Mine is doing the same thing and it isn't on the road. Nice to know I have dangerous oxides coming off the plan....best keep my kids away.

Barnsnake · #12 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 08:07 PM

The Canton pans are coated with Zinc dichromate (Gold Iridite).

Argess · #13 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 08:41 PM

Oops.....I'm only familiar with irridite on aluminum. On steel, the protective coating I've seen the most was Cad plating, and the white "fur"/powder was identified as some sort of Cadmium oxide and said to be very dangerous....i.e. wash your hands before eating if you've handled it.

Glad it's not. Sorry to scare anyone.

mdross1 · #14 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 11:58 AM

Have any of these Canton pans rusted through?

CBattaglia · #15 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 02:10 PM

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Cadmium Oxide Exposure: The following signs and symptoms may be noted following exposure to cadmium oxide: cough, dyspnea (shortness of breath), dry mouth or increased salivation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bronchitis, and chest pain. Pulmonary edema may develop. Vertigo (dizziness), fever, and profuse sweating are common. Victims may collapse.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to cadmium oxide may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

And it is a carcinogen.

$hit I feel like I should be calling Hazmat!! I was about to take a scouring pad and scuff it off this weekend. Im glad you guys pointed out that it is dangerous. I would have been breathing that stuff in the whole time without a clue...

DAVID GAGNARD · #16 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdross1

Have any of these Canton pans rusted through?

I doubt you'll ever see one of these pans rust thru......Mine had some minor surface rust where the plating was scratched or worn off, that's all... It's on a road race car and sees severe use and a lot of "sand blasting" on track from dust/sand/debris on the track.....

David

DAVID GAGNARD · #17 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 03:01 PM

BTW: I'm looking for a front sump Canton road race pan for a 302, don't need the pickup, have one,but I do need a pan........

Anyone got one laying around not using it and wanna get rid of it, please let me know before I order a new one.............

Thanks;

David

patrickt · #18 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAVID GAGNARD

I doubt you'll ever see one of these pans rust thru......

Of course it could always rust out from the inside....

DAVID GAGNARD · #19 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Of course it could always rust out from the inside....

Maybe, but I doubt it, the owner would have to run salt water instead of engine oil and I doubt the motor would last long enough to rust out the pan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:3DSMI LE:

David

patrickt · #20 (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAVID GAGNARD

Maybe, but I doubt it, the owner would have to run salt water instead of engine oil and I doubt the motor would last long enough to rust out the pan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:3DSMI LE:

Seriously though, RAO-3 asked for some shots of my block on another thread and I set up a page for him this morning that has about 30 shots of my block and a lot of them have the oil pan in them. Now mind you my car has never even seen winter time driving (I keep it tucked away snuggly from Thanksgiving to Easter). My Canton pan has a lot of the crap on it that you all describe. You can peruse the shots here: http://208.255.159.239/428block/index.html