Moisture everywhere! constant issue, suggestions?
11-20-2011, 08:00 PM
#1
MFz Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 248
Moisture everywhere! constant issue, suggestions?
So, I have what im gonna call a moisture issue. Ive popped every single drain plug in the car, and I am still having this issue. Basically, The car leaks, as does every normally functioning miata to my knowledge. But mine has other issues as well.
The trunk seems to collect moisture very well. the carpet remains soaked. everything in my trunk is covered in droplets and water. and overall its a huge mess. Somedays when I open my trunk, I can actually see condensation on the top of the trunk lid (both before and after opening the drain plugs fwiw)
One possible cause that I am aware of, and looking to fix within the next few days, Im 90% sure I have water in my frame rails, it likes to slosh when I hit the brakes suddenly. Is this something where all i need to do is unclog the holes to drain it, or do I need to drill more holes to fix this issue?
So I come to you guys with possible suggestions, past experiences, issues ect with water and moisture in unwanted areas. cause im tired of having water everywhere. On a side note, my windshield likes to fog up really heavily, and it loves to freeze over, on the inside and outside, which is a pain in the *** when you dont have heat like myself. So I am also looking for a solution to this.
The trunk seems to collect moisture very well. the carpet remains soaked. everything in my trunk is covered in droplets and water. and overall its a huge mess. Somedays when I open my trunk, I can actually see condensation on the top of the trunk lid (both before and after opening the drain plugs fwiw)
One possible cause that I am aware of, and looking to fix within the next few days, Im 90% sure I have water in my frame rails, it likes to slosh when I hit the brakes suddenly. Is this something where all i need to do is unclog the holes to drain it, or do I need to drill more holes to fix this issue?
So I come to you guys with possible suggestions, past experiences, issues ect with water and moisture in unwanted areas. cause im tired of having water everywhere. On a side note, my windshield likes to fog up really heavily, and it loves to freeze over, on the inside and outside, which is a pain in the *** when you dont have heat like myself. So I am also looking for a solution to this.
11-21-2011, 07:55 AM
#2
BAMFr
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 1,787
well, if you are getting condensation inside, then its because your trunk isn't sealing very well.
Don't know about the frame rails, but ideally (if you had to drill a hole) I would drill one hole at the end and lift the otherside up to push all the water out. If that doesn't work, then you should get a heat strip (probably like the ones that are used to bend ABS plastic) and put it on and evaporate the rest of the water).
Clean out all your drain tubes too. thats about all the ideas I got. I would just remove my trunk carpeting and black stuff, it will give you more space and those things don't do anything really. Plus you will get easy access to the drain plugs above the muffler.
Don't know about the frame rails, but ideally (if you had to drill a hole) I would drill one hole at the end and lift the otherside up to push all the water out. If that doesn't work, then you should get a heat strip (probably like the ones that are used to bend ABS plastic) and put it on and evaporate the rest of the water).
Clean out all your drain tubes too. thats about all the ideas I got. I would just remove my trunk carpeting and black stuff, it will give you more space and those things don't do anything really. Plus you will get easy access to the drain plugs above the muffler.
11-21-2011, 10:42 AM
#3
Moderbator
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DC Metro
Posts: 257
if the drains are clogged...
you'll get water in the trunk if you park nose-uphill
if you park nose-downhill, you'll get water under the seats.
get a hanger and gently ram it down the holes with the top almost all the way folded down.
you'll get water in the trunk if you park nose-uphill
if you park nose-downhill, you'll get water under the seats.
get a hanger and gently ram it down the holes with the top almost all the way folded down.
11-21-2011, 04:53 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tampa, FL; Lake Jackson (Atlanta), GA
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Mine had wet felt under the front carpet, wet package shelf felt under the carpet, and wet trunk floor. I had window condensation, trunk lid condensation, rusting spare tire, mildew, mold, etc. and the culprit was the convertible rain rail. To test this theory pop the little clips that hold the package shelf carpet up and put a running garden hose on the back window and just watch it trickle in. While you have the carpet up there unclipped, check the felt underneath it. It is probably soggy 24/7. I bet your fuel tank cover and the little screws are corroded to hell and back like mine were.
11-22-2011, 06:55 AM
#6
MFz Lurker
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Port Charlotte, FL
Posts: 33
Once a Miata is soaked this badly, it's time to pull the interior (not that hard) and start drying it out. Personally, I'd yank all that carpet batting off the bottom of the main carpet and parcel shelf and replace it with foam pads; they dampen better and dont absorb and hold water like the original batting does. That stuff will remain like a heavy wet towel forever.
That's also the best time to inspect the rain rail and the drain holes of course. As for sloshing water in the rockers, the drains are plugged probaby due to debris. I thought there was even a TSB about drilling the drain holes bigger since originally, they were to small and becoming easily clogged.
That's also the best time to inspect the rain rail and the drain holes of course. As for sloshing water in the rockers, the drains are plugged probaby due to debris. I thought there was even a TSB about drilling the drain holes bigger since originally, they were to small and becoming easily clogged.
11-22-2011, 10:33 AM
#7
MFz Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 248
Yeah, thats kinda what I have been seeing as atrend lately. Everything constantly wet. Im probably going to pull it all, but Im not sure when I will have the time to do so... Heck, I havent even had the time to check anything since posting this yet...
11-22-2011, 11:20 AM
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tampa, FL; Lake Jackson (Atlanta), GA
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It would just take a minute to pop the trim clips and drop the package shelf carpet to see what is going on under there when the time comes. The more involved part will be replacing the rain rail and pulling all of the felt out. I found wet felt under my main floor carpeting 3 months after replacing the rain rail. That ---- never dries out under there. I peeled it all off the back of the carpet and just put the carpet back down without it. I can't tell much difference in noise.
11-22-2011, 11:30 AM
#9
When the drains are clogged, the water rises above the scuppers and flows down the inside of the fender.
After unclogging those drains, open the holes in the rocker panels by holding a center punch in a pair of vise grips and jack the point up into the four positions next to the jacking points on both sides. You should get a good deal of water out this way. Maybe even push a smaller wire up into the hole after punching to move any s**t out of the way.
After unclogging those drains, open the holes in the rocker panels by holding a center punch in a pair of vise grips and jack the point up into the four positions next to the jacking points on both sides. You should get a good deal of water out this way. Maybe even push a smaller wire up into the hole after punching to move any s**t out of the way.
11-23-2011, 08:24 AM
#10
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tampa, FL; Lake Jackson (Atlanta), GA
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I used a compressed air hose to blow out my drains and it spewed crap all over the ground. I wouldn't do it from the bottom or else it would put a nasty crap fountain in your car.