stainless steel bolts etc
Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 4:59 pm
by Roger47
Recently back to Jaguar ownership with an X Type 06 estate, I wish to replace the steel bolts etc that hold plastic panel under the engine, some of which are rusting quite badly with Stainless bolts and washers, what size are they??, and how do I measure a metric bolt for the future.
Thanks
Roger
Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:01 am
by J44EAG
Hello Roger,
Replace as original spec.
If you replace with stainless, galvanic reaction is likely to occur and the stainless will cause the (presumably mild steel) to be erroded around the nice shiney stainless replacement!
Otherwise more commonly known as mixed metal corrosion. We NEVER do it in a marine environment and even then build sacraficial anodes onto a boat to prevent any possibility of galvanic action. Zinc anodes in salt water. The zinc is furthest down the register and gets eaten first.
Note the plating on your steel bolts is zinc. It is designed to initially protect the bolt. After a while it errodes by galvanic action and it is then time to replace the bolt.
Hope this helps.
Mike Kennedy. JEC S-type Co-ordinator.