Is there white adhesive in the engine compartment of a new car?
2 Answers
The presence of white adhesive in the engine compartment of a new car is a normal phenomenon. Anti-rust and leak-proof adhesive: All welded joints of the car are coated with adhesive because the production line cannot individually grind and paint each joint for every car. This situation is normal and does not affect safety. Nowadays, joint-venture cars produced domestically often have this issue of rough workmanship, with many welded areas left unrefined. Most cars have this problem to some extent—they may look neat on the outside, but areas like the engine compartment, which are not visible, often reveal many workmanship issues. Application of sealant: It serves the purpose of sealing the engine compartment, providing sound insulation, and waterproofing.
As a technician who frequently works with cars, I've noticed that the white sealant in the engine bay of new vehicles is actually quite common. That stuff is primarily seam sealer, specifically used to fill the gaps between body steel panels. If you crouch down and inspect closely, you'll find these white traces around the firewall or wheel arches in the engine compartment. Different manufacturers have distinct sealing habits—German cars particularly favor white sealant, Japanese brands prefer black, while American vehicles often use yellow sealant. This adhesive plays significant roles: waterproofing, rust prevention, and isolating noise/vibration. As long as the sealant application appears even without cracks, it actually indicates proper production line craftsmanship—there's no need to worry when seeing this on new cars. However, if the sealant shows signs of peeling or yellowing, immediate inspection is recommended.
