2022 4Runner fuel door hinge rivet rusty?

LOL I have to admit, this Thread turned out to be really funny. I couldn't sleep and it's now 2:20AM and I have to catch a flight at 9:00AM this morning. LOL.

RIVETS: I have never been in the automotive industry. But I have been in the manufacturing industry for over 40 years. My 2021 ORP does not - yet - show this rust on these rivets. But the likely reason for the red rust is the use of un-coated, standard steel rivets. And if you frequently use a high pressure car wash it will trap water - similar to the tailgates of 4R's which you have to completely wipe down after going through a car wash as many of you know. The aluminum rivets would produce a rust similar to what you would find on the end of your shower head in the bathroom. Sort of a white rust from water hardness. The "red rust" is what tells me standard steel rivets, which is cheaper than stainless. While the stainless won't hold paint, it won't rust either (or takes a very long time to do so). It's a simple manufactures cost-cutting measure. It's similar to having new seamless, aluminum gutter installed on your house. After a few years, the gutter looks fine. But the galvanized nails to install it start to rust. Galvanized nails are cheaper than stainless nails.

 

I read a few years ago that the auto manufacturers - quietly - told the EPA that if they authorized the ethanol adder above 15% that they would be forced to reduce their engine warranty's.

 

I think what you’re referring to is when the E15 was authorized around 2011, some manufactures said older cars (early 2000s MYs) weren’t set up to use E15. And if they did use E15 their warranties could be voided. But by that time almost all of those cars were out of warranty anyway. Let’s hope E15 remains a choice and isn’t the only available option.

 

Take a picture of it before and after with both the door shut and open...... post it for all of us to see.

 

Yes, I believe you're right. I couldn't recall exactly the circumstances. Thanks.

 

What model year is your 4Runner with the E10 on the gas cap, 2010 or earlier?

 

2013

 

Why do I need to wipe down my tailgate (inside or out) after the car wash?

I just bought not 1 but 2 brand new 4Runners and now I am going insane worrying that they are both lemons because of Acute Fuel Door Rivet-itis. ArgGgGgHHHHH !!!

 

Abandon all hope. All will be lost. Unless you coat everything in Woolwax. Then they’ll both last 4ever

 

who’s car am I doing it on?

 

The one with the newly hand-riveted crooked fuel filler door.

 

So I got tired of looking at this rusty river every time I stop for gas and painted over the rivet heads. I ordered these brass brushes for my dremel and had to trim down the brush with some small wire cutters to get the diameter small enough to fit into the rivet hole. Cleaned with some rubbing alcohol and then touched up with some dr color chip.

Dremel 537-02 Brass Brushes (2 Pack), 1/8"

$13 Dremel 537-02 Brass Brushes (2 Pack), 1/8" Diameter

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015PK3CHC?_encoding=UTF8

Much happier with my 40k dollar truck now!

 

You should write this up and give to Toyota for a TSB suggestion .

Try putting a swab of of Fluid film inside now that you fixed.

As soon as I saw my buddy have this issue I put fluid film on mine with q tip to try to prevent.

I also put fluid film on all the small bolts around the wheel wells. Those seem to look like crap after a season. At least not the Midwest.

It’s nice not to have some something rusty on a new $40k plus truck. Although maybe a new color could be patina for the sixth Gen. That way it could match the rusty rivets.

 

You should be proud of yourself. That fix is better than anything Toyota could come up with.

 

right? I mean a brush with a dab of touch up paint in the riveters left hand is too much to ask.

 

This thread is really a sign of the times!

 

Maybe...Shakespeare knew - much ado about nothing.

 

Fluid film is your friend!

 

Mine is 6 months old, 3800 miles and the other day I was filling up the gas tank and noticed the rusty rivet. I am going in for my first service on Tuesday and I will either have Toyota take care of the rust or they can supply me with the touch up paint and I will take care of the rust. It is absolutely ridiculous!

 

Yes agreed it is shotty to have this. My buddy told me about his early on and before mine started I put fluid film on with q tip on rivets. I have never put fluid film on any vehicle I have owned like this.

A new TRD Pro color should be “Rust” for year which would coordinate well.

 

Thanks for the tip on the fluid film. I am going to purchase some. We are in Florida where we don’t have road salt. My wife’s older 2013 Corolla has the same rivet mounts with zero rust.

 

I can appreciate that. My buddy got rust ok that rivet in VA beach in summer a month or two after new. I would expect that where I am at in Michigan but not where you guys are. I would take a look at your frame welds also for kicks. Knowing you have this rivet I would put FF on those welds on frame even in FL but that’s just me

 

That is an excellent idea. Thank you. Unfortunately I can’t get under to check but my friend has already said no problem.

 

I agree it is ridiculous. I’ve been pretty unhappy with the paint on my 4Runner. Here is another spot I just found today in the inside of the passenger side door.




I was able to get a brass brush dremel bit inside the rivet on the gas cap and touched it up with some dr.colorchip and it’s been holding up fine but I’m probably going to have to take it to the dealer to fix the door rust. It just sucks because I’m almost 100% positive the repair at a local dealership body shop will result in more damage or mismatched color due to the location and how difficult it is to get in there to do a proper job. I guess it’s better than having my door seam rust out on a 2 year old truck I paid 45k for.

 

2 years old? Make the dealer repair it!

 

I had the dealer repair the rust spot. They cleaned it and painted it.

 

I personally wouldn't wait for appointment.

Spray some ospho and touch up paint.

 

I noticed it 5 days before my first scheduled service. With my hectic schedule it was easier to just let the dealer fix it while it was in for service. It was a free fix too.

 

This won’t be the last paint chip you’re going to get, especially in the frontend bumper and hood areas. I used to get stressed about every rock ding but now I just clean and scrap off any rust then touch it up with a Dr Colorchip kit.

 

I was the rubber windows of that doors and the back truck ....I was the silicone spray rubber ... then the sealer of the window rubber doors did the metal and the rubber windows .. the rubber is the shrinking and the cracking ..

my 2016 did the no rusted of the doors ... did the sealer rubbers windows ..