Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

What might be the source of this stain just under the valve covers? It was worse before I wiped it off - some crungey yellow-green stuff. It wasn't there before I took my Packard out for about an hour-long drive, the first in a while.

I took the 1930 out for the first time since I had the radiator rebuilt during the pandemic. The radiator rebuild and several surgeries (on me) have kept me from driving the Packard for the last several years, but I've been starting it and running it in place at least once a month.

It started like a champ and ran like it just came out of the factory! When I got back after the run I noticed that spot of gunky stuff. My first thought was coolant and...oil? Am I going to need new valve cover gaskets?

1930 7-45 Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton. Engine rebuilt in 1958-59 by my dad, maybe 20K miles on it since. Unfortunately my dad passed before I got to ask him so many questions about the car, but thanks to the Packard clubs and forums like this I'm keeping it alive and healthy.

Attach file:

---

  1930 7-45.jpg (367.92 KB)

David,
Slightly but I noticed that you'd previously posted under the Forum Name of Phaeton and, when so, you'd included your '30 745 Deluxe Eight Sport Phaeton in the Registry.

The colour and texture of the leak looks like the 'gunk' that builds up around battery terminals?!! I know that this is not the case as it is way out of place for that, but any engine fluids like coolant may have a similar colour but not texture, and oil would be black, brown, or gold? I just cannot get around the similarity. Sorry I cannot help more.
Stumped,
Bob J.

Attach file:

---

  battery gunk.jpg (26.12 KB)

Is the cover aluminum? Perhaps it has a crack in it.

On one of the spare Jag cylinder heads I had, there was corrosion like that. It was aluminum. The head was stored in a basement on concrete that regularly got wet.

Looks like galvanic corrosion. If you look closely it appears to be around the steel pan bolts and aluminum crankcase threads.

Galvanic corrosion is typically caused when two dissimilar metals are improperly coupled together in a corrosive environment.

Galvanic corrosion is caused by an electrochemical reaction between different classifications of metals rubbing against each other in wet or grimy conditions. This type of corrosion commonly occurs between aluminum and cast iron; copper and steel; and stainless steel and aluminum.

Attach file:

---

  Galvanic Corrosion Examples.jpg (157.38 KB)

I agree with 32model 901. It does look like galvanic corrosion. I don't think it is from a leak. I would guess it is a result of something that got on the aluminum some time ago. I would wash it off well and just keep an eye on it. Once you have cleaned the area, it probably will not occur again.