Rust under dash? Could somebody post pics of under their dash for comparison?

[Beckta10]

The last couple of days we’ve had a strange smell come through the vents when first starting our 2017 expedition. This evening I pulled our floor mats to see if maybe an ac condensation line was leaking into the cab. I didn’t find any wet spots so that mystery is still unsolved but I did notice that the metal structure of the dash has a bunch of surface rust. Is this normal? We’ve had plenty of issues with this vehicle so I’m concerned maybe it’s a sign this thing was flooded out or something.

Would anyone be willing to take pics of under their dash? Below are pics I took of both the driver side and passenger side. I had to let the glove box down on the passenger side to get those shots.

Thank you in advance to anyone that posts pictures!



















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[bobmbx]

Thats normal. You can't stop rust, only slow it down.

 

[16plati]

The last couple of days we’ve had a strange smell come through the vents when first starting our 2017 expedition. This evening I pulled our floor mats to see if maybe an ac condensation line was leaking into the cab. I didn’t find any wet spots so that mystery is still unsolved but I did notice that the metal structure of the dash has a bunch of surface rust. Is this normal? We’ve had plenty of issues with this vehicle so I’m concerned maybe it’s a sign this thing was flooded out or something.

Would anyone be willing to take pics of under their dash? Below are pics I took of both the driver side and passenger side. I had to let the glove box down on the passenger side to get those shots.

Thank you in advance to anyone that posts pictures!



















Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ll snap some shots of my 16 in the morning for ya. Don’t think Thts normal. Rust is formed from Oxygen and water. Tht much rust tells me something’s up

 

[bobmbx]

I’ll snap some shots of my 16 in the morning for ya. Don’t think Thts normal. Rust is formed from Oxygen and water. Tht much rust tells me something’s up

Rust, or oxidation, is formed with contact with oxygen. Water has a big fat oxygen molecule in it. Thats why metal rusts underwater. Salt water accelerates the process.

Everything, except gold, oxidizes over time.

 

[JExpedition07]

Here’s my 2007, the surface rust on the unprotected metal is perfectly normal and it will eventually patina throughout. That’s not your smell.

 

[ExplorerTom]

Yep, normal. It’s just surface rust. Those parts are uncoated. But that rust will take forever to do any actual damage. But worry about it.

And definitely don’t look at the metal under your seats......

 

[Yupster Dog]

I'm with @16plati that is not normal. There is moisture getting in there from somewhere

 

[JExpedition07]

Here is a better pic of mine

 

[Trainmaster]

Certainly normal in New York. My 08 has lots more. There's no coating on that steel. Of course it rusts.

Make sure your a/c plenum is draining. Sometimes the drain hose clogs, leafs and debris get trapped with mucky water and smell. If water's not coming out on the ground when the a/c is on, the drain is clogged. Hunt it down under the truck and poke it clean with a wire.

 

[cmiles97]