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Topic: Wet Carpet

in Forum: C3 Interior

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Wet Carpet (1/6)
12/2/11 7:53pm

tsmith1499
Former Member
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mount airy, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Charcoal Met., Silver Interior, Gymkhana Suspension, 27K original miles. It's my daily driver.

Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 71

Just wondering if there is anything special to look for a leak or hidden drain clogged? Went out the other day and the drivers and passenger side carpets are SOAKING wet. I can't see where it may have come in from the t-tops or door weatherstripping. I have tried to do a search, but nothing I tried comes up. Thanks in advance. Tom

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1981 Corvette, 26K original miles, charcoal gray, gymkhana suspension, AM/FM/8 track.

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Re: Wet Carpet (2/6)
12/3/11 8:01am

lukesvette

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

It may be coming in from corrosion in the bird cage. Try removing a kick panel and seeing if theres a lot of rust / moisture inside there. C3s are famous for this.

Paul

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Re: Wet Carpet (3/6)
12/3/11 8:35am

Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

Another place C3's are famous for having leaks is the drains under the hood at the base of the windshield...you'll see them by the screen at the corners of the cowl. They very often fill up with leaves and debris over time and water leaks inside rather than drain to the ground.

If your T-Tops were leaking (not uncommon), the water would more likely drip on the seats and not the carpeting.

Re: Wet Carpet (4/6)
12/3/11 3:18pm

ebo

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

When we were at MAM for the gathering Kenney Yager gave a seminar on leaking C3's His quote was "All C3's leak and if you have one that does'nt, it's because you have not found it yet but all C3's leak"

He showed the best way to find a leak is from the bottom up. You take a flowing water hose and start from the bottom of the body, say the doors and work your way up.

You will have a hard time trying to find it from the top as it will flow downhill everywhere.

Raise your height line slowly and watch for wetness.

Not sure if that makes sense to you....hope I'm explaining it ok?

ebo

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ebo

Re: Wet Carpet (5/6)
12/3/11 9:21pm

Thanks guys. I don't have leaking t-tops but the drain at the base of the windshield makes sense since the leaves just fell off all the trees in the last few weeks and since I also drive my car almost everyday I will check for the blockage at the cowl area. I thought I had read about that somewhere, but doing a search didn't turn up anything. Thanks again!!

And your explanation about testing for water leaks makes PERFECT sense. I was told of that method by a water leak guy also. I think the blocked cowl area is probably going to be where I find the problem since nothing is wet or damp around the bottom of the doors anywhere.

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1981 Corvette, 26K original miles, charcoal gray, gymkhana suspension, AM/FM/8 track.

Re: Wet Carpet (6/6)
12/4/11 8:22am

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20203

Check the drain holes in the bottoms of the doors, too. Water can collect inside the doors, and if the drain holes are stopped up, the water will eventually run out to the inside of the car.
Also, the drains for the cowl are at the bottom of the kick panel area. If you take the kick panels off, you might see some wettness. You should be able to see the actual drain holes from underneath that area. I used to have a couple of pics of the cowl drain holes, but I prolly can't find them...but I'll look.

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