Playa Dust and Engines

Monk · Post by **Monk** » Sat May 30, 2009 9:52 pm

I'm a noob to BM. I had my ticket to go last year, but was unable to go for various reasons. This year I plan to take my own vehicle (just bought it).

I'm kinda concerned about the dust because it is alkali and very fine, which means it gets into everything and is corrosive to steel. I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination on cars and engines, but on the surface, this seems like a terrible combination for vehicle engines which rely on air from the outside in order to function (not to mention the dust storms blowing piles of dust into the engine bay while it is parked for an entire week). Seems like it would be very damaging to an engine to have this stuff getting where it isn't supposed to be.

Are there any facts which may alleviate my concerns?

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Sat May 30, 2009 10:48 pm

The corrosive action of playa dust seems to only happen when it gets wet. This happens when there is dew, rain or wash water applied to the playa dust. My box truck had almost no corrosion on it before I took it to the burn. Now it has little spots of rust on metal parts that have chipped or lacking paint. Aluminum parts have surface changes similar to rigs that spend time in salty air. I expected and welcomed this. No only is my truck fine and still runs great but it takes me to my favorite spot in the world year after year.
Taking all the normal precautions one should take before a long road trip will help. Make sure the air cleaner is functioning properly. Eliminate leaks of coolant and oil so that dust does not gather in them. Blowing out the engine compartment with compressed air once you return will help and then you can spray things down with a mix of vinegar and water to neutralize the effect of the dust and make cleaning easier. Look around here in the posts about cleaning RV's and you will find all you need to know about effects and cleanup.
In general don't take anything to the playa that you don't mind being permanently altered by the dust.
I've seen brand new cars and old clunkers on the playa. My ford ranger has been on the playa 4 times and is barely worse for the wear from it. I don't even wash it with vinegar. I just run it through the car wash twice and call it good after I do a minor detail of the interior. I do get the oil changed and usually the air filter too after the burn. I worry about the inside of the engine least since the only way in is through the air cleaner.

Post by **Sham** » Sun May 31, 2009 3:44 am

If you're driving your car into the event and parking it for the week, you have very little to worry about. I ran my art car daily last year and during the endless dust storms that we were subjected to. The air filter was clogged solid and if I thought about it beforehand, I would have brought an extra one to install mid week. A car run all week in the dust should have its oil changed as soon as possible once returning to civilization. This fine dust will ruin the engine if this is not done.

Again, if you drive in and just park, you have very little to worry about. I run my rent-a-car through a car wash after the week usually and work very hard to make it look like its never been to Burning Man. An under carriage wash if a good idea and the interior should be wiped down with a DRY (MUST BE DRY) microfiber cloth, taking special care to cover the areas where the dust shows up---glass on instrument cluster, dark dashboard, chrome knobs/handles etc. Light colored interior is less crucial to clean perfect, but clumps of playa mud should be vacuumed as well as anything that will indicate to the rental company that you were on the playa.

The rental companies can be dickheads sometimes, and they look at your luggage for dust as well. if you can drop that off first at the airline, you would be much better off. Otherwise, try to wipe your luggage down as well. The cleaning charges can be several hundred dollars, so if they accuse you of being on the playa, be ready to take pictures of the nice clean car you're returning so you can dispute the charges with the credit card company. If the car is washed and the interior wiped down well, you will not be able to photograph playa dust in the picture and that will go a long way with any dispute.

Keep in mind all the indicators that the rental companies look for to see if you've been on the playa. About 350 miles on the odometer, dust in the door jams, dust on your luggage, dust in the interior. They will look at you and if you look like a dusty, free-spirit hippie, you may be in trouble. Bring clothes that you would wear to a wedding for the flight home!

Eventfarm · Post by **Eventfarm** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:50 am

Shambala,

Thanks for taking the timme to reply... I am renting a car and haven't found anything on the local websites that say you can't take your rental to brc. However, I assumed that they didn't like it.

I am staying mon night in a hotel, so I have time to make myself look presentable and clean the car. Thanks for the tips!

Token · Post by **Token** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:28 pm

Almost all car rental agreements specifically prohibit off-road use. Driving into BRC is off-road use.

If they really wanted to shaft you, they could.

Best not to mention BM.

Artemis · Post by **Artemis** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 1:52 pm

Most of the carwashes in the area have Burning Man specials where they detail the interior, rinse the underside, run the car through the wash twice etc. I'd highly recommend stopping at one of those before dropping off rental.

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:27 pm

If your vehicle is rear wheel drive and the driveshaft u-joints and sterring linkage are equiped with zirk (grease) fittings, be sure to give them a shot when you get home. This will squeeze out the dust that might get in your needle bearings, ball joints etc.

I do it my truck everytime I take it off-roading, including the playa. They lasted 114,000+ miles. I have to replace the u-joints on my truck before heading out to BM this year.

phil · Post by **phil** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:53 pm

Artemis wrote:Most of the carwashes in the area have Burning Man specials where they detail the interior, rinse the underside, run the car through the wash twice etc. I'd highly recommend stopping at one of those before dropping off rental.

I think this is a better way to get your car washed:
[youtube][/youtube]

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:29 pm

phil wrote:
Artemis wrote:Most of the carwashes in the area have Burning Man specials where they detail the interior, rinse the underside, run the car through the wash twice etc. I'd highly recommend stopping at one of those before dropping off rental.
I think this is a better way to get your car washed:
[youtube][/youtube]

That is made of pure win and awesome.

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:14 pm

I bet next time they try it with vinagar.

Playa Dust and Engines

Playa Dust and Engines

thanks!