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97 Riviera - carpet got damp in trunk?


edwinn
11-25-2013, 11:14 AM
1997 Riviera - 3.8 Liter, L36 - 139,754 miles

Note: This thread was part of the Slight RPM Hunting, Fuel Pump, Smell of Fuel topic.. moved here as a separate issue.


Trunk liner - access to fuel pump

Got at the fuel pump module through the assess panel in the trunk earlier in Nov. Turns out there was mold/mildew under the trunk liner that needed to be address.. and it took some time to clean up. Should have pulled-up that carpet and insulation a few years ago. Now the trunk can be treated for contamination and restored to 'like new.'

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/trunk_floor_scrub_I_75.jpg
Trunk liner removed and fuel pump access cover open. The trunk pan cleaned-up nice!


Mildew on bottom of trunk liner

The trunk trim/liner was 'stuck' to the trunk floor a bit here and there. Nothing drastic, buy it had to be 'pulled up' carefully to avoid tearing pieces off. Think I'll apply some AUTO POLISH - liquid wax to the trunk floor. That should make it 'slick' and give it a protective coat.

What would be a good product to treat or remove mildew from carpet?

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/trunk_liner_97.jpg
Trunk liner out back on deck with mildew underneath. This is a good place to scrub Riv components.


You guys might want to pull your trunk liner out to make sure the body panels underneath are ok. This is what it looked like.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/trunk_floor_50.jpg
Condition of trunk pan after insulation and liner removed.


Water and dirt coming in?

Do you think water could be coming in through the waste gate? There are some dark stains aft of it.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/waste_gate_78.jpg
Stains or dirt aft of vehicle ventilation gate. Could water be coming in there?


Now's a good time to get in the trunk and make sure everything is ok (such as leaks or rust) and correct any problems. Last year the trunk (spare tire well) was treated from underneath with a paint brush and flat black Rustoleum. :naughty:



-Ed

aleekat
11-25-2013, 11:41 AM
Since you got the trunk cleaned out. Buy some cheap baby powder/talc. Sprinkle it on the vertical services. Sides, taillight area. Close the trunk. Garden hose or bucket of water. start high. pour slowly. Any leaks will show up as a "snail trail". I've seen lots of trunks leak in the gutter area. Normally a weld there then sealed at the factory and painted over. Stuff gets hard and dries out . Trunk looks great. Mold/mildew. I would scrub it with some diluted bleach. Then let air dry.

edwinn
11-25-2013, 04:17 PM
Since you got the trunk cleaned out. Buy some cheap baby powder/talc. Sprinkle it on the vertical services. Sides, taillight area. Close the trunk. Garden hose or bucket of water. start high. pour slowly. Any leaks will show up as a "snail trail". I've seen lots of trunks leak in the gutter area. Normally a weld there then sealed at the factory and painted over. Stuff gets hard and dries out . Trunk looks great. Mold/mildew. I would scrub it with some diluted bleach. Then let air dry.

Ok thanks. Leave the talc power in the trunk afterward?

I waxed the inside (mostly the trunk floor pan) with liquid Meguiar's wax. It's nice and slick! The leak may be coming from the waste gate (pressure relief valve) area in the right-rear.

It's fine to leave talc power in there? put some under the trunk liner too?


-Ed

aleekat
11-25-2013, 04:47 PM
The only way the talc may be a problem. If you don't find all the leaks, when it gets wet it will turn to a paste type stuff. This was a trick an old time mechanic taught me. I have used it in trunks and floor board areas chasing leaks.

edwinn
11-25-2013, 04:51 PM
A closer look at the PRV

This was done last Friday afternoon. The pressure relief valve (PRV) or waste gate was examined and found to be 'locked' into place at the TOP edge with the two tabs, and not secured along the BOTTOM edge where it could 'flap inward' with the gasket not even touching the body panel.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/PRV_01.jpg
Pressure relief valve removed from the RR body panel. Lower two PRV tabs were not locked into place.


A diagram from the shop manual

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/Press-rel-valve-41.png


Looking down at the TOP edge..

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/PRV_06.jpg
View of the top two locking tabs and gasket. This unit must be snapped into place both top and bottom.


PRV reinstalled

Here's the PRV (what I call the cabin waste gate) reinserted into the 'inner rear panel' with all FOUR tabs engaged. The unit is small compared to the cutout and floats around in there.. which means one edge can becoming loose.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/PRV_reinstalled_08.jpg
PRV reinstalled.. but where does the antenna drain tube go? I have it just sitting there temporarily.


Power antenna drain tube

You can see in the above photo an antenna train hose or tube. I have it resting on the upper set of 'valves' (rubber flappers) cross member. The shop manual says it's a Drain Tube and it should go through the Drain Hole in the floor. Where should the drain tube go? How can it be tie-wrapped in place so it will drain 'outside?'

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/power-antenna-44.png


But there's no drain in the floor. Maybe diagram is for the Oldsmobile Aurora. :confused:


-Ed

aleekat
11-25-2013, 05:56 PM
Every car I have seen does have a drain hole that the hose goes into. I would look from under the car close to the area you are looking and see if someone sealed it long ago. I think they zip tied it to the vent to try and let the water drain out that way. The hose definitely needs to be routed outside. Looks like the hose is too short, like someone cut it off.

edwinn
11-29-2013, 05:59 PM
Stuff gets hard and dries out . Trunk looks great. Mold/mildew. I would scrub it with some diluted bleach. Then let air dry.

Can't do much in winter

Haven't made very good progress at all, as the weather turned frigid. The Riv is 207" long (17' 3") and the garage is maybe 18' 6" deep. Point is.. not much can be done, nor is it enjoyable, in freezing weather.

This is now much CLEARANCE there is close the garage door: http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/garage_clearance_956.jpg


Trunk liner indoors

The trunk liner has been indoors, on the floor in the lower level. I've brushed on hydrogen peroxide solution and patted it down with soapy water and a towel.. and a lot of the crud and discoloration came off, ending-up in the bucket of water. A few days later, Pine-Sol in warm water was used. There's still a trace of musty odor though.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/liner_indoors_02.jpg


Y'all think ammonia with will take out more discoloration? and 'freshen' it up? that is.. kill the musty smell? I mean.. it's minor but would really like to knock it out!


From the view angle below, you can still see a bit of discoloration.

The corner of the liner in the lower right below is near the Pressure Relief Valve and Power Antenna where the leaks probably were.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/liner_indoors_97.jpg
Area under yellow arrow got too soaked with towel and started to fray.


So there's been plenty of time to futz with it, and check the fuel pump area for liquid and vapor leaks. :naughty:



-Ed

edwinn
12-02-2013, 04:24 PM
Every car I have seen does have a drain hole that the hose goes into. I would look from under the car close to the area you are looking and see if someone sealed it long ago. The hose definitely needs to be routed outside.
Drain hole located

Was able to find the drain hole.. it was around behind the power antenna and forward of the PRV.

You have to stick your head behind the antenna unit to see it.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/ant_drain_915.jpg
This must be the drain tube hole!


Found hole location in one of the photos

Believe it or not.. what looked like a hose port was spotted in one of the digital photos!!

As you can tell.. I take lots of photos while working on the Riv. The Canon SX 230 HS works GREAT for this purpose!

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/PA_drain_hose_03.jpg
Clue of drain-hole location spotted in this photo.


How's that!!

Luckily you can get at the area by removing one small trim panel. Would suggest checking your Riv for a properly installed PRV and drain tube.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/ant_drain_918.jpg


The tube fit is tight. It goes in the hole but just barely.. and you have to feed it almost straight in.



-Ed

edwinn
12-02-2013, 04:42 PM
Another question about floor patches!

There are two rubberized tar patches next to the shock mounts on either side.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/floor_patches_929.jpg
A chip broke off the patch on the RIGHT when trying to look under it.. damn it!


What are the patches for? and what do they cover up?

It's been so damn cold, and the Riv is too LONG to close the garage door and still get in front of, and behind the bumpers. Both tar patches were brittle and NOT sticking down too well. It's the latest thing holding-up the job!


What to do (if anything) with these? :banghead:


-Ed

edwinn
12-04-2013, 09:13 AM
This job is a wrap!

Was running out of time... so late in the year to be working on the car! It was the last "Garage Guy" day before winter set in. Let's take a look.. and then close-out this job before snow falls.

First.. did some harness updates, repositioning the cable clamps so the bundle sits in there better.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/harness_updates_986.jpg
Harness update two places. New 3M tape and cable clamp positions adjusted.


Then secured the antenna coax cable with tie-wraps.. because the black vinyl tape was REALLY gooey and falling off.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/antenna_cable_992.jpg



The LEFT tar patch was also really gooey. I peeled-off the protective plastic sheets like a fool, so another plastic patch was needed so the trunk liner wouldn't get stained with tar!

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/tar_patch_979.jpg
Will have to deal with these areas next year... in the summertime.


Unsure where the fuel-door release cable should go? It looks to have a Velcro type gripper on it.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/fuel_door_cable_994.jpg


Liner goes back in

Trunk floor liner installed.. looking left-center. Next goes the panel behind the rear seat.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/floor_trim_00.jpg



After the rear trunk rim panels go on, the right-side trim which covers power antenna and cabin Relief Valve goes in.

Before:

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/floor_trim_01.jpg


Installed:

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/right_trim_panel_04.jpg
Right side trim panel back in.


The spare tire back in.. and tire-well cover goes on over that!

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/spare_tire_07.jpg


Looking good.. and should hold for another few years. :grinyes:


That's the end of Riv Updates for 2013.


-Ed

aleekat
12-04-2013, 05:30 PM
Very nice. You could try some "laminate" like for kitchen shelves. You may be able to find clear for the tar areas.

edwinn
12-05-2013, 08:44 AM
Very nice. You could try some "laminate".. clear for the tar areas.

Thanks man! I really appreciate it. Tasks like this one are very satisfying.. (satisfaction that is!)


Am convinced the cabin pressure valve was NOT seated correctly in the body panel, and the antenna drain tube was NOT routed through the drain hole.


Here is some photo evidence

View of RR corner with bumper cover removed while at the body shop in summer 2012.

There is no HOSE coming out the drain hole. You can see the upper locking tabs engaged there.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/RR_corner_close_69.jpg
Upper locking tabs snapped in place but no drain hose visible.


From a lower camera angle it appears the TOP of the waste gate (cabin pressure valve) is fully inserted and tabs LOCKED,
but the bottom of it isn't fully inserted.. and the bottom locking tabs are not visible.

http://home.comcast.net/~edwinn/RR_view_77.jpg
Cabin relief valve lower tabs don't appear to be locked in place.


What does it mean?

In 2001 a truck with a flatbed carrying mower equipment backed into that corner, and the body shop did a "less than thorough" reassembly, resulting in leaks and mold in the trunk. The guys last year didn't catch it either. I see other issues under there that need to be corrected. A bent (and rusting) body panel edge, brown crud on the fender edge where bumper cover attaches. Will need to get in there again before long!


Tail light assembly

Was looking at the tail light assy, where the wire harness has come loose in two places interfering with license plate insertion. Will need to get in there too.. for wire harness update and general maintenance!


No one is going to do a thorough job as if you Did It Yourself (or supervised the job.) :nono:



-Ed

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