Rust Protection - Electronic vs Coating or not bother

[PKD4]

Hi All,

I apologise if this has been answered often but I was unable to find a great thread to answer the query.

I am in the process of becoming a Discovery 4 owner. I will be purchasing a new or demo vehicle. It will inevitably be used as a family hauler and for camping trips etc and also beach in due course as well. We live within 500m of the ocean.

I was wondering whether Disco owners have or would recommend the installation of some form of rust protection - if so which type.

I realise that there is no substitute for comprehensive cleaning of the vehicle after beach excursions but wanted to know whether the going to the next preventative step was undertaken by most owners.

Thanks in advance

Pat

[ade]

I think it has been confirmed on this forum that electronic doesnt work? someone will correct me. I always go the coating route, fish oil, lanolin, underbody coating followed by a thorough hose down getting into all the nooks and crannies. parking it over a lawn sprinkler for 20 minutes isnt good enough

[WhiteD3]

I think it has been confirmed on this forum that electronic doesn't work? someone will correct me.

Debated yes, confirmed I doubt ;)

Ade, I went with electronic protection on my D3, not because I was worried about rust but because I thought it'd help with resale value when asked the inevitable question re beach work. I wasn't asked and it didn't help as far as I know.

I didn't bother on the D4 as it comes with a 6 year corrosion warranty, body only.

[scarry]

save your money,lanolin,etc is the way to go.The electronic rust thingy on the son's defender was totally useless.Good clean off,coating with Tectyl,a Valvoline product worked very well.
I used fisholine on my D2,also found it very good,although it didn't do a lot of beach work.

[Didge]

Hi guys, I recently bought some fish oil and on the can it says that it will soak into rust and stop it progressing any further; your thoughts? Marketing hype or truth?
cheers Gerald

[TBone]

Hi guys,

sorry for the thread mine, and my first post - bu I too am about to go from a 08 Pajero to a Disco 4.

I had electronic rust protection on my Pajero and did extensive beach work with regular Fraser & Moreton trips as well as monthly trips to Bribie Island.

Every time I had it serviced, the bloke was astonished how little rust had accumulated and always said when he sees a 4WD come in with stickers all over the windscreen, he worried!

Granted, I was pretty thorough in cleaning it after each trip - but it also spent 10 days + on the beach on some ocassions with no cleaning at all. I can only attribute its good condition to the electronic protection.

I was going to simply move the unit to the new Disco 4, but I have heard that they have corrosion warranty and an aluminium rust proof chassis?

[Mick_Marsh]

Hi guys,

sorry for the thread mine, and my first post - bu I too am about to go from a 08 Pajero to a Disco 4.

I had electronic rust protection on my Pajero and did extensive beach work with regular Fraser & Moreton trips as well as monthly trips to Bribie Island.

Every time I had it serviced, the bloke was astonished how little rust had accumulated and always said when he sees a 4WD come in with stickers all over the windscreen, he worried!

Granted, I was pretty thorough in cleaning it after each trip - but it also spent 10 days + on the beach on some ocassions with no cleaning at all. I can only attribute its good condition to the electronic protection.

I was going to simply move the unit to the new Disco 4, but I have heard that they have corrosion warranty and an aluminium rust proof chassis?
Can I interest you in a hiclone to improve fuel economy?
If you fit a HHO generator as well, the fuel savings will be astounding.

Seriously, the electronic corrosion protection does nothing. It sounds as if you looked after your Pajero really well. Look after your D4 as well as the Paj, and you will be amazed.

[Glynhouse]

Sorry but on my first two vehicles I had double Endrust'd, both did a lot of beach work, rust eventually showed on the paint work but not underneath, I was quite happy.
Next vehicle (Cruiser) had nothing done as unlikely to go on the beach, had it 3 years and fitted an electronic unit as retired and started touring. Did a lot of beach work after that not washed a lot, no access to water.
Fitted than on reports from a couple of Golf clubs next to the beach Nth Qld that were getting no more than 2 years out of their motorized carts and were then unsaleable due to the rust. Started fitting electronic units and kept them 3 years and could trade them in. Now wont buy a cart without them fitted.
Sold the Cruiser after 12 years with no rust bar a bit of surface rust on a few paint chips.

DD

[chunk]

Hi guys, I recently bought some fish oil and on the can it says that it will soak into rust and stop it progressing any further; your thoughts? Marketing hype or truth?
cheers Gerald

Many years ago I had a Toyota with a rust hole in the bottom of the tail gate, soaked the whole area with fish oil and 5 years later the rust had not gotten any worse.

[TBone]

as usual opinions are varied, but I don't doubt the effectiveness of the electronic rust protection - the science is proven and the ACCC would be all over them if they didn't work.

I'm merely querying if they are required for a Disco 4. I was confused in my previous post, I mean apparently the chassis etc are apparently fully galvanised?

[WhiteD3]

Edit: The 10 year statement is wrong. See my post below.

TBone,

As I stated above, I had an electronic unit fitted to my D3 by the dealer on delivery. 4.5 years of ownership, 100,000 km, 5 trips to Fraser and a couple to Bribie, no rust.

I did not get one fitted to the D4 because it's got a 10 year rust warranty and I don't plan on keeping it that long. So far 4 beach camping trips in the D4 and no sign of rust or deterioration.

I am though, very careful about cleaning it after a beach trip.

Cheers.

[vnx205]

as usual opinions are varied, but I don't doubt the effectiveness of the electronic rust protection - the science is proven and the ACCC would be all over them if they didn't work.

It seems that the RACQ is not convinced.

RACQ has not seen the results of any properly conducted, scientifically valid tests that support the effectiveness of such devices and therefore can provide no further information.


I'm merely querying if they are required for a Disco 4. I was confused in my previous post, I mean apparently the chassis etc are apparently fully galvanised?
I wonder if this is an issue for a D4
A point that concerns at least one local vehicle manufacturer is the claim that some devices send an electronic pulse through the vehicle. The worry here is that such pulses could interfere with sensitive vehicle electronics and there is particular concern about the effects such pulses may have on the operation of vehicle safety systems such as Anti-lock Brakes. A major vehicle importer has also voiced concerns about the potential for some systems to disrupt the operation of engine management systems.

Anyone considering the purchase of such a device would be well advised to seek the opinion of their vehicle’s manufacturer or distributor (not a dealer) about the possible implications.
Rust Preventative Systems | Motoring | RACQ (http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars/car_advice/car_fact_sheets/rust_preventative_systems)

[goingbush]

Best rust protection = don't drive on the beach, don't go to Fraser Is.

however ERPS do work on Steel bodied vehicles, no doubt about it, but probably not on a Defender which is built from dissimilar metals.

[TBone]

TBone,

As I stated above, I had an electronic unit fitted to my D3 by the dealer on delivery. 4.5 years of ownership, 100,000 km, 5 trips to Fraser and a couple to Bribie, no rust.

I did not get one fitted to the D4 because it's got a 10 year rust warranty and I don't plan on keeping it that long. So far 4 beach camping trips in the D4 and no sign of rust or deterioration.

I am though, very careful about cleaning it after a beach trip.

Cheers.

Hmm, wasn't aware of 10 year rust warranty.

I plan on keeping this one for a long time though. I've ordered one from ARB along with all the other gear, still thinking about ditching it though.

[101RRS]

I bought a new Suzuki Sierra in March 1985 and drowned it on Fraser in May 1985 - was 10 foot under. On recovery I washed and hosed out the vehicle with fresh water top to bottom for two days straight the drove it to Newcastle.

I sold the vehicle 4 years later with no rust in the body or chassis - other salt water issues mainly in the electrics bit not rust.

Forget the snake oil and use some elbow grease and wash and clean the vehicle after exposure to salt. With D3s/D4s the manufacturing technique means that rust is almost impossible in a vehicle that has not been damaged.

Garry

[WhiteD3]

Correcting myself. From page 75 of the current D4 brochure....

A comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty is a feature of every Land Rover vehicle and extends to any genuine Land Rover accessories fitted by a Land Rover Dealer. The warranty period for the vehicle is three years/100,000 kilometres. In addition, the paint surface is also covered for three years/100,000 kilometres and the body work covered for corrosion for six years.

Selectively quoting page 6 of my D4's warranty book.................6 years, applies to any panel, warranted against "perforation", vehicle must be inspected annually by an LR dealer which is free when done in conjunction with a service.


TBone,

As I stated above, I had an electronic unit fitted to my D3 by the dealer on delivery. 4.5 years of ownership, 100,000 km, 5 trips to Fraser and a couple to Bribie, no rust.

I did not get one fitted to the D4 because it's got a 10 year rust warranty and I don't plan on keeping it that long. So far 4 beach camping trips in the D4 and no sign of rust or deterioration.

I am though, very careful about cleaning it after a beach trip.

Cheers.

[Tombie]

Hot tip!

I live 200mtrs from the ocean.
The sea mist blows over the house and vehicles all the time.

Our MY0.5 Discovery 2 has done a stack of beach work, and just well cleaned after each trip.

It has hardly a speck of rust on it 13 years later.

Electronic rust systems ONLY prevent your wallet gaining weight!

They can NOT, and will NOT work without being in an immersed environ.

The units have been debunked on many a science program, on tv investigations programs and even by testing by members of my family some of whom fitted units which gave no benefit to the vehicles they were fitted to.

A good solid clean and proper underbody care works - the electronic units are for maritime structures.

[Tombie]

The science is proven (on vehicles)... My arse!

Not one test has proven it works, and many companies had to change their claims!!!

Even the ones mentioned - only seen success on maritime structures, an area ERPS for example specialise in.

Those proponents of these units are entitled to your opinion - just understand that in this case your opinion is Wrong.:angel:

[Tombie]

As a bit more of an example...

Our Toyota vehicles are rarely washed - about once every 2 months.

They spend all their time on wet muddy surfaces watered by bore water that is 5 times saltier (tds) than sea water...

In 2 years only the bullbar mounting bolts have rust on them.

Modern vehicles just need simple tlc, thorough cleaning after a run etc

Funny no one comments about the salt they encounter inland!!!

[Didge]

Hot tip!
.........Our MY0.5 Discovery 2 has done a stack of beach work, and just well cleaned after each trip.

It has hardly a speck of rust on it 13 years later........separate post - Funny no one comments about the salt they encounter inland!!!

...........

8 years???? or is it a 2000 model? :D

Yes, there's heaps of salt inland and that's an extremely good point you make there :)

[Mick_Marsh]

the science is proven
Quite right. The science is proven. I have designed installation of cathodic protection systems on many installations and structures.
For these systems to work, you need to complete the circuit. It needs a return path for the electrons. The earth or conductive liquid such as water (as Tombie said) are suitable. Air is a good insulator so not suitable.

[Reads90]

as usual opinions are varied, but I don't doubt the effectiveness of the electronic rust protection - the science is proven and the ACCC would be all over them if they didn't work.

I'm merely querying if they are required for a Disco 4. I was confused in my previous post, I mean apparently the chassis etc are apparently fully galvanised?

But my argument is if it did work they could make a killing in Europe where cars really do rust at a hell of a rate. In Europe rear cross members on defenders are a 4 year replacement item.

But they are not sold in the uk or Europe you won't find it anywhere over there. So that means alot to me. , and means they don't work as well as they make out.

[TBone]

You guys have done a good job, and I think are more knowledgeable than me.

I've cancelled my order for the Electric rust protection - now to work out what other eaccessories to put on!

[vnx205]

Wise move!

Have you seen this?
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/228687-another-con-exposed-electronic-rust-preventer-devices.html#post2458227

[coolum]

'Been on the beach' is not as relevant as 'where do you live'..


in QLD with a bit of onshore wind and a good swell .. add an already wet road and all the salt and spray thrown up off the road when following a truck etc you may as well be on the beach in the tide zone and that's really on every wet day.


On any day on any coast road throughout the Aust seaboard, the amount of salt spray on the windscreen after a 10 minute drive, you can scrape off the salt and put it on your chips -- especially tasty with a bit of insect guts included..


After seeing my Range rovers, Land rovers, Discoveries all rusting away over the last 30 years of living on the sunshine coast and driving on beaches and the coastal roads .... I am always concerned with putting sticky products on the metal surfaces as they seem to end up having dirt and salty sand etc embedded and that in itself seems to have been the foundation of the cause of the rust that killed off my past fleet of LRs ......


I'm now leaning toward having a vehicle as the LR god delivered it and being diligent every time I wash the vehicle and keep the washing regular .. when washing underneath I stick a high pressure hose inside the chassis holes and give it a good blast on a slope (you'll see sand and crap flow out the rear drain holes).. Blastback inside the drain holes at the bottom of the doors and let it run out .. basically a good flush out everywhere you can find
I am hoping this practice along with the newer factory rustproofing / build techniques at LR, will see my machine lasting a bit longer than many of the previous machines I have owned.


Time will tell.

[Meken]

I had rust free at mooroola do underbody & doors. Under body is a paint type product that cures not sticky. Inside doors aparently waxy stuff.