salt/efflorescence on crankcase

[dergav]

anyone had/noticed this....doing the 24 month service so following service manual..took off the outer ( plastic) cover on the crankcase... seemed to be sticking on after bolts removed...when removed it had sticky foam strips stuck on its inner face some of which had stuck to the crankcase and also the crankcase was badly covered in fairly heavy salt/efflorescence....and the foam was deteriorating... I now need to clean all that of . Thinking that the "sticky foam" must be to reduce vibration noise??...and that moisture has seeped in over the 24 months ( dont think this cover has ever been off before) .
anyone experienced this and any ideas as to how to reduce or stop the moisture getting in and happening again. I have still to properly clean but think the metal on the crankcase may be slightly pitted....just seems a strange design....and the purpose of the sticky backed foam if not for vibration noise reduction?

[gn2]

I just stuck the cover back on.

[beegmouse]

It's crap that Honda didn't even bother to paint it.

The whole assembly is prone to rot.

It is there for vibration reduction. The plastic flaps like crazy without it.

I sanded the Aluminum down gave it a spray of black paint and stuck it back on.

[dergav]

thanks...at least I know its not just mine!
think I will rub down and paint and stick cover back on

[davenowherejones]

I took off the cover for the belt and it had this foam tape on the outside of the cover. It was difficult to pry the plastic off because it was fused on. What a mess.

[WhiteNoise]

What will you guys use as a sealant when you reseat your covers? Would a liquid sealant work in place of the stock self-stick foam? You do want to keep moisture out and vibration at a minimum right?

I was thinking liquid sealant, so I Googled it. Up pops this: Hondabond HT Hi Temp Silicon Gasket. Could this be used? Or is it too thin as a replcement seal to the self-stick foam? Or am I totally off track here? "That" could happen

Here's the link I found (I'm sure you can find this in your Country too. Ebay and Amazon?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hondabond-HT-Hi ... 1249799484

I'm just curious about this idea, a mere thought. Don't really know if it's a solution or not.
Sorry about the mess you guys have to clean up. Good luck to you!

[gn2]

The foam between the plastic trim and the transmission casing isn't a sealant its just there to prevent rattles.
Once the trim is back on you can't see the mess so there's no point cleaning it up.
Also if you clean the foam remnants off you'll need to replace it but if you leave the old stuff in place it still works.
No point cleaning up under the trim, it'll just corrode again.

[dergav]

Not sure as yet Whitenoise but your idea may be the/a solution.
As I see it there are two separate issues
.vibration and dampness...the foam cushion tape will be solving any vibration nuisance...being why Hondas have used it..but will be allowing dampness in causing the salting etc....sticking the cover plate directly to the metal may result in "flapping" mentioned by beegmouse.
I think I will paint the bare metal as beegmouse did so as to give it some protection ( perhaps Hammerite if I have some ) and stick the foam back on hoping that the painting will stop or reduce the salting and try some sort of sealant around the edges.
seems a very strange design fault by Honda.

[gn2]

Its not a fault, the only bit which might be worth painting is a strip about half an inch wide at the front of the drive case cover which you can see at the gap between the two covers.

[dergav]

well we can agree to differ.
I have just taken off the metal cover and its badly pitted...the metal is damaged over 50% of the metal cover surface...and the bike is 24 months old.

Honda have designed a part which vibrates noisily so to overcome that they put in strips of sticky foam to stop/reduce the vibration noise...and by doing that they create a space which allows moisture/dampness to get in and cause damage to the metal drive belt cover. In my book thats a design fault.... Should and could have been designed so that doesn't happen...but I respect that others may not share my view.

[gn2]

The black plastic cover is there as a heat shield.
It does that job perfectly.
Look at your warranty.
Corrosion is not covered unless function is impaired.
The casing still works perfectly when badly corroded.

[dergav]

I know all that....and who mentioned "warranty".
It is a design fault.Should and could have been designed where the corrosion didn't happen. Thats a fault in the design. IMO..but I respect your view that it is not a design fault.

[davenowherejones]

It could have done a little better at a very low price. The attachment of the body panels could have been done better at a very low price. LED lights could have been done better at a very low price. A true 300cc scooter (not 279) could have been done better at a very low price.

Honda used to be good but now it is made in Thailand at a very low price but sold in Canada at a steep premium price.

[gn2]

who mentioned "warranty"

Me.
To establish whether something is faulty you first have to set the criteria by which a decision is made as to whether or not a fault exists.
The warranty is the key guide because it sets out in what way corrosion would constitute a fault.
Look inside your fairings and underneath any car.
You'll see plenty corrosion.
Is every corroded part a design fault...?

Don't get me wrong, I think the quality of materials and finish on the Forza is budget basic heading for downright cheap and nasty, but a wee bit of oxidation hidden under a plastic cover isn't worth even thinking about.

[dergav]

yup..every corroding or faulty part of any goods is potentially a design fault if it could have been designed so as to avoid the corrosion/fault..Thats the definition of a design fault... Honda could have eliminated this fault at design stage at very little or nil cost ...certainly for a product within 24 months old. ..I accept however that this particular design fault is not over serious and now that I am aware of it I can act to minimise its effect.