Hey everyone so I'm looking at buying a used 2003 Touring Z, and upon inspection of the engine found two rust spots on the strut bar next to the engine cover.

My question is whether or not this is a common problem, and what could've caused this. I just want to make sure it wasn't caused by the presence of water in the engine bay and that it's a natural thing for a car this old.

The owner also claims the check engine light will come on and off for the 02 sensor, saying this may have been caused by the injen cold air intake that was installed before he bought it. Does this sound about right?

I'd buy a newer Z and one without these things, but if it's relatively simple things to fix I can get the car for a pretty good price. Thanks in advance for responses, long time reader first time poster. Hope to be a proud owner soon!

 

I haven't seen a strut bar rust on a 350. My 2004's bar still looks brand new. Does it look scratched up or something?

And I've never seen a CAI cause a car to throw codes for an O2 sensor. I've heard of them causing problems with the MAF sensor but that's all.

 

It's not scratched, two spots symmetrical about 1.5-2 inches in width. Friend thinks it's just where the paint oxidized but he's not an expert.

Thanks for your input, even if it wasn't the CAI I can probably replace the sensor myself but I wanted to see if that was a potential cause. Also forgot to add it has around 110k miles!

 

For it to rust it would have to have had the paint damaged to allow weather to get to the metal beneath it to rust.

It's probably a sensor going bad, they generally aren't that bad to replace. Just make sure you don't round the head off. There is a special socket for removing O2 sensors if it's really tight. My 04 has 107k on it FWIW.

 

Rust on the strut bar may be caused by scratches from different things.
As with most newer cars,components are not easy to reach.Several things come to mind that if you are not careful,could cause scratches on the bar arelugs changes,changing
of cats.Possibly the manifold was removed.Has a spacer been installed?
Does not sound like a big deal.
I'd have the car checked out.

 

I wouldn’t be concerned about rust spots on the engine bay’s strut bar.

Run codes to see why the SES light is illuminating. It’s probably a sensor that needs replacement.

--Spike

 

Are the 2 spots symmetrical in shape or symmetrical in location? In other words, could the motor mounts have been bad at some point and allowing the motor to rub on it?
You may want to look at a 03 or 04 with fewer miles, no known issues, and no questionable mods, since they can be had for cheap.

 

Could have rubbed, could be a mechanic thing tool against it, could be a lot of things.

 

I can't imagine it rusting from snow or rain etc. Must have been someone hitting it by accident with a tool