Drying out the fusebox and interior

[marcus]

As it looks like we might get a day of dry weather at the weekend, I'm going to try and get to the bottom of my Mk2 'no spark' problem, postponed from before Xmas.

I suspect a persistent water leak (resulting in water regularly soaking the passenger footwell) may have affected the fusebox even though it seemed dry when I looked at it (and it's been like that for years), but to eliminate this possibility I want to dry the car out thoroughly, before I dare re-connect the battery and risk my new coil and ignition module.

Other than soaking up the water from the sodden carpet with newspaper and/or a wet and dry vacuum, and using a hair dryer on the fusebox, any suggestions for how to get the general moisture levels down, and the fusebox bone-dry? Is a fan heater too dangerous?

[Tim_R]

If the carpet is wet then you'll really need to get the soundproofing out underneath it as that will be acting like a sponge trapping water under there. It'll also smell bad as my Golf is doing the same thing at the moment.

If you can get your hands on a dehumidifier, that will help. Failing that, large packets of silica gel if you can get hold of that. Essentially larger versions of the packets put in electronics boxes when they are shipped to reduce condensation.

[ianaudia4]

Definately get the old soundproofing out, it stinks like a swamp when wet! Newton Commercials supply new sets.

[Mr Funk]

The only real way is to strip everything out otherwise it's just going to sit and fester. As the guys have pointed out it'll honk and if you leave it it could cause corrosion.
On the upside with everything out it'll be a damn sight easier to locate the leak.

[marcus]

How hard is it to remove the carpet and sound-deadening material? Haynes has nothing to say on the subject.

Also, what do people think about the hairdryer idea for the fusebox and the fan heater (supervised ie not leaving unattended) for general drying? I don't have access to a dehumidifier.

[ianaudia4]

The carpets are easy to remove, self explantry once you have taken all the seats out. Look for black plastic push on circular fixings and remove them, the carpet will lift out in two pieces, you will then see the stinking mess of the soundproofing!
See if you can dry out the carpet indoors.
You can then soak up all the standing water with a sponge, newspaper etc.

Check all the grommets in the bulkhead, where the clutch cable goes through and any other holes where the water may be entering.
If you are satisfied you could get someone to pour water over the car whilst you are inside looking for leaks, I had to resort to this on my Scala! (my leak was from the clutch cable hole)

Refitting is the opposite of removal.

[marcus]

Cheers, sounds like I've got a fun day ahead of me tomorrow...

[ianaudia4]

I hope the weather stays dry for you mate!

[DJPremier]

When I removed the interior of the Storm for refurbing it I did have to also remove the centre console and the under dash shelves to get the front carpet section out. It had never been removed before and in addition to the plastic button clips there were four metal push on circular clips holding the very front of the carpet right up under the dash which need needle pliers and persistence. Also some tough butyl tape ahesive along the sill / door section. And the soundproofing was also clipped and stuck down ! Be prepared for some more layers of disassembly :b

[marcus]

Thanks, that's very helpful feedback, exactly the kind of thing the manual doesn't tell you!