240 General: - Under-carpet pipe

Angie · May 11th, 2020, 15:11

After 10 years I thought I'd use lockdown time for a bit of a spring clean. Managed to unbolt the passenger seat and lift the carpet and noticed the pipe shown in the picture was quite damp. A while ago the heater valve was leaking and the carpet was wet for several months. Valve has been replaced but could dampness have been trapped under the carpet for such a long time? What does the pipe do. Does it drain the scuttle perhaps? If so could it be leaking? Any advice welcome please, I don't want to replace the carpet and trap a possible rust cause.

Angie · May 11th, 2020, 15:13

Damn, pictures not showing but maybe some of you will know what I am describing anyway

Clifford Pope · May 11th, 2020, 17:29

Do you mean damp underneath the thick rubbery underfelt, in the area underneath the metal floor insert?
If so, it can certainly remain damp - almost indefinitely. It's the perfect place for dampness to be trapped.

In my experience once you have had a leaking heater valve or water pipe, you need to remove the carpet, the underlay and the metal insert and dry the floor properly.
Because antifreeze is hydroscopic it will go absorbing water vapour from the air. You need to rinse out the carpet and underlay and dry it thoroughly before refitting.

Alternatively, this dampness may be rainwater and unconnected with the leaking heater valve. In which case find and fix the leak, prop the carpet and underfelt up with a stick, and leave it with a fan heater on low for a long time.

Angie · May 12th, 2020, 09:44

Thank you, Clifford, I didn't know that about antifreeze, though I assume it to be ant-corrosive. The valve was leaking for a very long time so the carpet tended to remain wet unless sunshine warmed the interior of the car. Since the valve was replaced the carpet has remained dry so I was surprised to see so much wetness underneath it. I think to some extent I've answered my own question. I had expected the area to have dried, as the car is in sunshine for a lot of the day, but the wet was still there, just sticky, so probably coolant. The spongy sound-deadening was very wet too, but I thought I needed to use the car and replaced the carpet. I'll lift it again and give it a good dry-out, I hadn't realised how easy it is to remove the seats or would have done it years ago!

I was very reassured by the condition generally, all visible painted areas looked as good as if it had just left the factory.

May 11th, 2020, 15:11	#1
Angie Premier Member Last Online: Apr 21st, 2024 21:41 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lostwithiel	Under-carpet pipe After 10 years I thought I'd use lockdown time for a bit of a spring clean. Managed to unbolt the passenger seat and lift the carpet and noticed the pipe shown in the picture was quite damp. A while ago the heater valve was leaking and the carpet was wet for several months. Valve has been replaced but could dampness have been trapped under the carpet for such a long time? What does the pipe do. Does it drain the scuttle perhaps? If so could it be leaking? Any advice welcome please, I don't want to replace the carpet and trap a possible rust cause.

May 11th, 2020, 15:13	#2
Angie Premier Member Last Online: Apr 21st, 2024 21:41 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lostwithiel	Damn, pictures not showing but maybe some of you will know what I am describing anyway

May 11th, 2020, 17:29	#3
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Today 08:04 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	Do you mean damp underneath the thick rubbery underfelt, in the area underneath the metal floor insert? If so, it can certainly remain damp - almost indefinitely. It's the perfect place for dampness to be trapped. In my experience once you have had a leaking heater valve or water pipe, you need to remove the carpet, the underlay and the metal insert and dry the floor properly. Because antifreeze is hydroscopic it will go absorbing water vapour from the air. You need to rinse out the carpet and underlay and dry it thoroughly before refitting. Alternatively, this dampness may be rainwater and unconnected with the leaking heater valve. In which case find and fix the leak, prop the carpet and underfelt up with a stick, and leave it with a fan heater on low for a long time.

May 12th, 2020, 09:44	#4
Angie Premier Member Last Online: Apr 21st, 2024 21:41 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lostwithiel	Thank you, Clifford, I didn't know that about antifreeze, though I assume it to be ant-corrosive. The valve was leaking for a very long time so the carpet tended to remain wet unless sunshine warmed the interior of the car. Since the valve was replaced the carpet has remained dry so I was surprised to see so much wetness underneath it. I think to some extent I've answered my own question. I had expected the area to have dried, as the car is in sunshine for a lot of the day, but the wet was still there, just sticky, so probably coolant. The spongy sound-deadening was very wet too, but I thought I needed to use the car and replaced the carpet. I'll lift it again and give it a good dry-out, I hadn't realised how easy it is to remove the seats or would have done it years ago! I was very reassured by the condition generally, all visible painted areas looked as good as if it had just left the factory.

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