Pardon my ignorance, but I took this Astron based TM for a run earlier today. While I was looking over the engine, I noticed a white residue covering most of the rocker cover. I thought initially it was corrosion. Would my guess be correct or is it something else?

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/5314/2yjsh34.jpg

Whatever it is, what causes it to form on these engines? All I gather is it's consistent with the car being sitting for quite some time. Hence I don't think i've seen one at the wreckers that doesn't have this stuff forming on it.

If its an even white coating on only the aluminum parts that aren't covered in leaking oil, probably just corrosion, if its droplets everywhere maybe a coolant hose previously let go? Mines been all polished up, so I cant really help with what mines like.

edit: I can see the pic now, mine never looked that bad, more like just a dull surface than completely white.

Its aluminium oxide, scrub it off and give it a spray of WD40. Its corrosion formed from aluminium reacting with moisture in the air. Its a way of telling you you don't drive your car enough.

looks just like my old tm motor from years ago when i had one. used to just come off with degreaser damn i hated that car

sacrilage! You already own a great car :P

Yay for Kr's... ahem..