Wet bits...............

I was just running some engine flush through the b and for reasons I am not sure of decided to check that the floor was not wet (by picking up the flap in the passenger footwell). Shock horror its sodden under the floor, good thing is I know its not been like that for long 'cos I checked it a couple of weeks ago, I think it must have happened on the way back from Goodwood in monsoon conditions!

Question is, how horrific is it to take all of the flooring out? How long should I leave to do the job and can anyone offer hints n tips?

Robot did this a while back as did Karen and both I think put post up to show the work involved.

I also did this when I first got the B, it's not that hard at all and will take about 1.5-2hrs to remove the flooring, but it will take ages for the foam to dry out. Make sure you list all of the screws that you remove so they all go back in the same place.

Basically the seat's, centre console, middle console, and trim parts round the door & kick plate all need removed.

and before you start DISCONNECT THE F**KING BATTERY

It's also a good idea Lee to find out where the water has come in, my bet would be the rear cover rubber.

My main worry is where the water is getting in, I did have a small hole in the floor that I have fixed temporarily so am sure its not that - my worry is there is another hole somewhere that I cannot see, I would almost be grateful if the water is getting in via the rubber!

Actually beginning to get a tad disheartened at the moment, too many things to fix to be able to spend anything on mods........................

The problem with you car is that its RED. The company that did the bodywork for Maggiora made sure that all the panels they used were decent quality galvanised mild steel. But in the case of red cars they used a special purchase of ex Lada soviet reject galvanised tinplate..as it was impeccably red it didn't need any further treatment..but it does have the same issues as the old Fiat Chroma and Alfa Arna.


Need I say more?

All Lies! very very funny Lies !

You not got anyone that can stick it up in the air so you can have a good look underneith? If water is getting in by the floor it should also try to get out by the floor. When it's a dry day stick it up in the air and look for wet patches.....I doubt it's the floor though, is there any water on the rear shelf?

take it to a body shop an put it in the oven for a few hours

Wont do anything dave, certainly won't dry it out.....

it should do, a local dealer used to just wash inside of cars then stick them in the oven to dry

Yeah maybe if none of the mats were in, or if the water was on top. But underneith the thick mats it won't dry anything, you have to take the mats out and dry them seperately. Had the mats hanging up inside the bodywork shop and it still took over a week to dry out

I will try to get the mat out later this week and let you know what I find, hopefully there will be an obvious source of water ingress!

check the (bottom) corners where the dash meets the windowframe/style, there might be some ingress there if the windshield rubber is damaged/loose (due to excessive polishing or application of rain-x )

check for glycol smell, and cooling liquid level, to rule out a failed heather matrix
however, if there's a smell of alcohol, then it might be due to excessive boozing on quiz night which led to loss of bladder control

now, i have found that keeping a fair speed going with a just cleaned car on the motorway in serious monsoon-like downpoor with "fresh" rain-x on the (side)windows, that the water tends to accumulate too much and too fast at some spots. Combine this with "old" rubbers on the hood and maladjusted windows and the water tends to pour down on the inside, "just behind your elbow" at shoulder height, it then runs down the doors and shuts...

Lee have you put your hand up under the 'carpet' that covers the rear bulkhead? Mine was wet under there too and that was where it was coming from. Tonneau cover seals were done for and the water seeped in through there and then spread to the footwells. It must have been that because since they were changed I've had no problems (it feels very risky saying that!)...
xS

I have not checked behind the seats yet, the thing that I find a little confusing is that there is a raised bulkhead affair where the seats sit, if the water is coming down the rear bulkhead behind the seats how is it getting over the bulkhead that the seats sit on?

I guess the only way to find out is to strip it all out!

There are drain holes from front to back along the floor pan under the cross rails so if water can get into the back it will also be able to get to the front.