Wet carpet behind '70 'Vert seats, why?

[adam schorr]

Can anyone please tell me how the carpet area behind the 3 compartments got wet?

I washed the car a week ago and never rinse the vinyl top w/water (just Armor-All cleaner and sponge).

The only wet area is on the carpet's flat, rectanglar-shaped area in front of the rear courtesy light. The stowage shelf. The battery, and two other carpeted hinged doors are dry.

If water dribbled-in from the rear (astro?) vents, which were open, while rinsing the rear deck, wouldn't the vertical area of carpet also be wet?

It's been real humdid, but the garage has a de-humidifier running 24-7. Can't imagine that much condensation building up under the car to soak the carpet.

[Jim T.]

Re: Wet carpet behind '70 'Vert seats, why?

One possible thing to check is the drain trough around the deck lid. It has a drain hole at the right and left corners. Something could be in the drain canal backing up the water.

[adam schorr]

Re: Wet carpet behind '70 'Vert seats, why?

Jim,
Thanks.
You might be correct as this did not always happen.

Trying to picture...will check tonight...

Is the drain tough the canal area into which the deck closes?

Access from inside the car, or from outside?

I'll remove any obvious clog.

Would it be a bad idea to blow compressed air into the holes? Don't want to force debris into an area it might be hard to get at.

[Gary S.]

Re: Wet carpet behind '70 'Vert seats, why?

From memory on my 66, which I assume is similar to your car. You can raise your convertible deck lid and gently dribble water into the trough. Watch for it to drain into the rear wheel wells. You should see a steady drip or stream right above the calipers, depending on how much water goes in, obviously. If you have a clog, you can run a straightened out coat hanger to help unclog these. For starters, my 66 had excess soundproofing/undercoating that had covered over most of the holes. This was an owner applied issue and I inherited it. It was easily removed. Then, when I pushed the coat hangar down, I got a fair amount of gunk.

Good luck,
Gary

[Chas Henderson #28127]

Re: Wet carpet behind '70 'Vert seats, why?

Does a convertable have rear rubber drain tubes for the vents on the rear deck? I know my 71 coupe has a drain tubes, one for each side and when I got the car they were rotten. I replaced them, about $8.00 each from most vendors, problem solved.

Chasman

[adam schorr]

how to unclog 'vert drain hole?

OK just located the drain holes and inspected them.

I assume the drain holes are located in the trough, in their espective corners, just behind the hinged-and-sprung rear deck support brackets.

Passenger side does not appear to be clogged.

Driver's side, however, is clogged with what appears to be fiberglass, or some hard plastic filler material.

The car was restored in '90. Why would anyone clog that hole and paint over it?

Should I try to gently tap it out? It looks like it could crack, or drop into the drain...Is there a way to gently tap it out from the other side?

I don't want to damage anything.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Wet carpet behind '70 'Vert seats, why?

------Dont blow any air in from the topside. The gunk will just get more deeply imbedded. Go into your wheel well and find the outlet and backflush it with compressed air. Sometimes any extra undercoat that has ever been sprayed on can cover up or partially cover up the wheel well end of the drain. Make sure to uncover the wheel well end. Hope this helps...........Bill S