Is this common for the 370Z exhaust flanges/bolts to rust?
 

Hey all,

Just got my 370z a few months ago (brand new 2012) and it already had these rust spots on the flanges for the exhaust system. Is this a common problem with the Z?

Take a look at the picture for the references.

http://www.lairofthe9ine.com/tfz/370z.jpg

THANKS!

looks to be that way. my 09 has the same rust, just much darker.

yeah thats pretty common, rust wil be there, when I went to take mine off (put on borla) there was rust on the flanges too, of course I daily drive mine, so i think that also has a lot to do with it, with it going in the rain and all. :icon17:

Thanks for the input. I'm gonna try to brush some of it off with a wire brush, does anyone have a suggestion for a spray that is good for high heat areas like this one?

Or will the spray just melt off with the daily drive?

That's what happens if daily driven. Can't really help it.

My '12 is the same way. Wasn't like that when I bought it and was kind of upset when it happened about 2 months after purchase. Why didn't Nissan install a stainless steel exhaust on a highly visible part of the car??

Why? It's just surface rust.

You not gonna see it unless you often invite people to check out the underneath of your car or you drive your car upside down on the street.:icon17:

cheap finish, isn't stainless steel, what can we do lol.

Flanges are mild-steel and subject to rust ... pipes and mufflers are stainless and ot subject to rust .... flanges will always rust.

Just accept it ...

Drive behind a 370Z and you can clearly see the rust. Here in Miami I see many Z's but have yet to see one without the rust under it....If I can see it, so can anyone else.

Very common. I live 3 blocks from the ocean. I had those rusted on my Z within 6 months!

Normal... as long as they aren't on the paint.

it's a shame, some manufacturers will advertise their system as stainless however still use mild steel flanges to cut cost, which really doesn't take too long to rust :(

for reference, we do not cheap out on flanges :D

I noticed this on my brand new 2013 within maybe three days of purchase. Glad to know that this is normal. :P

Or people are curious enough to look under your car when all their underbodys are the same. no wait they arent they are worse cuz some people drive in the snow. :bowrofl:

my 2012 is the same and only a few months old.

Stop looking down there.


Problem solved.

Same thing with mine, the shop couldn't take off the bolts when they were swapping out my exhaust so they had to take off the whole thing in one piece except for the mufflers :s

IT is normal based on the quality that is used on the exhaust. Change the exhaust and the problem will be solved

Had the same problem
 

I had the same issue with my new 2012 370z and according to the service manager at the local nissan dealer, its normal. This is was his explaination: "The rusting of the solid steel flanges are a normal condition with that type of untreated metal.Unfortunatly the manufacturing process does not use any treatment on that solid flange.If the flange was a stamped steel flange the metal would be treated because it would be much thinner and could rust out after a number of years without treatment.By using the solid flange type it would allow more clamping force to seal the two components and last longer than a stamped steel type because of the thickness." And his suggestion is to paint it with some high heat rust paint like Tremclad available at homedepot, lowes etc