# Rust in Engine room **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chrysler, towncountry\ **Created:** [July 23, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174 "2017-07-23T13:23:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hyukpyohong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85f322/32.png) [@hyukpyohong](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hyukpyohong)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/1 "2017-07-23T13:23:22Z")
Hello, I am considering purchasing a used car, 2008 Chrysler Town & Country(58K miles). But I saw some rusted part in the engine room. After I read this question/answers([link](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-exhaust-manifold/93161)), it seems like the exhaust manifold, and normal situation. But I’m not sure whether it is an exhaust manifold, so may I ask your opinion if this rust is acceptable? I attached two pictures below. ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/b/b3cee6c0769921bf2d1fa92ef632ec76fcf5199d.png) Thanks in advance, and please excuse my poor English, since I am an international student came the last year. ---
**Author:** ![kurtwm1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kurtwm1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kurtwm1)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/2 "2017-07-23T14:04:35Z")
Yes, for a ten year old car this is perfectly normal. I would suggest that prior to committing to the purchase you have it inspected. It’s always worth it spending ~$100 to have a professional take a look. Not a 100% guarantee but it sure helps. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/3 "2017-07-23T14:06:04Z")
The rust looks normal for a car this age. However you absolutely should have a reputable shop give it a thorough going-over before making any agreements. The real problems are often not obvious. It’ll cost you an hour’s shop time, but it’s well worth it. ---
**Author:** ![SteveCBT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevecbt/32/3192_2.png) [@SteveCBT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveCBT)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/4 "2017-07-23T14:06:17Z")
I just sold a 2005 Town and Country that had more rust than that and it was in great shape and had a lot of miles left on it. Do not worry too much about that rust, it is normal. I would strongly recommend that you pay a mechanic to check the car out before you buy it. It will cost you around $100, but will be the best money you can spend. They will spot a problem you may miss. If you do not know a mechanic, check out the link at the top ‘Mechanics Files’ to find one. ---
**Author:** ![hyukpyohong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85f322/32.png) [@hyukpyohong](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hyukpyohong)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 2:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/5 "2017-07-23T14:59:00Z")
Thanks for all of your kind answers. I will make it inspected by a mechanic before making a deal. Have a great day! ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/6 "2017-07-23T18:53:38Z")
> [@hyukpyohong](#): > > …in the engine room. You might want to call it the engine _compartment_. ;-] ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/7 "2017-07-23T20:58:33Z")
The rust to look for is on the strut towers on the left and right sides of the engine compartment. It has to be kind of ugly to make a difference. The rust you found is nothing and normal. ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/8 "2017-07-23T21:26:42Z")
It’s normal. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/9 "2017-07-24T12:57:16Z")
Chrysler vans were known for rust issues on chassis. Yes top of strut towers too. What state are you in? Does van have trailer hitch? ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/10 "2017-07-24T16:32:41Z")
> [@hyukpyohong](#): > > But I saw some rusted part in the engine room For a second, I thought this was Ship Talk… Completely normal amount of rust as others have said. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/11 "2017-07-24T20:44:04Z")
> [@insightful](#): > > You might want to call it the engine compartment. > > ;-] What’s you talk’n about? I have engine rooms in my cars, just ahead of the bridge and behind the bow sprit! 😉 _ **CSA** _ ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 12:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/12 "2017-07-25T00:02:34Z")
Some manufactures use both terms; ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/d/d9e7cc5eb18a3182e00fe32ff7b6e9cd50fd7ff4.PNG) ---
**Author:** ![sgtrock21](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/sgtrock21/32/246_2.png) [@sgtrock21](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sgtrock21)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rust-in-engine-room/106174/13 "2017-07-25T02:29:48Z")
When I first read “engine room” I thought we had a sailor. Cool! It would have been confirmed if they made a mistake followed by “belay that”.