I just had to share this

[Jesset100]

This was a little project. Install rear speakers and run new wire to them. I wanted to do like the factory did and run the wires under the carpet so, I pulled the carpet and the factory wire is under the padding not the carpet.
I thought of the situtation and said to myself "Self just run the wires under the carpet and leave well enough alone". But something deep down inside said pull the padding up so I did.
I was totally shocked at what I found. Water was puddling up in the seat area!! The padding has a rubber shell and the back side has the padding. Well, the padding was soaking wet, I mean I could wring water out of the padding! Can't upload more it won't let me
The good news is NO RUST

[RSBob]

YIKES!! Better check your rear window seal.

[Jesset100]

Funny thing is I don't drive in the rain. The rear speaker shelf has the same rubber/insulation padding and it's bone dry. I think the water was comming from the rear seat belt mounting holes. (I think) I drove around a couple of weeks ago after it rained, but the road was mostly dry execpt for a couple of wet places. Oh yea I haven't washed the car in 6 months. The water had to come from under the car.

[masraum]

Maybe some of your more spirited driving caused the car to wet itself. I think I probably scared my car on the odd occasion.

[rfuerst911sc]

This is a good time for some weight reduction,once you find and repair the leak replace that old HEAVY OEM pad material with newer lightweight insulation.I went to Home Depot and purchased a roll of silver foil type insulation,it is shiny foil on both side with a foam like core sandwitched in between,it is light as a feather compared to OEM.It is easy to cut and form and you can either glue it in place or use 2 sided tape like I did,I think I saved about 40 lbs. or so.

[jacko241]

maybe the heater core is leaking....

[atlporsche]

LOL!!!!

sjd

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Did the car sit out in the rain ?

[djmcmath]

My PO let the car sit outside for 4 years in the Pacific Northwest. Dumba$$. Anyway, the first thing I did when I got it was pull out all of the loose carpet and dry out anything I could reach. I thought I had it all....

...Then last weekend I pulled out all of the glued down carpet and sound damping. I found exactly what you did -- soggy padding! Mine was so bad I was growing fungus!! Fungus, I tell you!

I'll ditto the "get some lighter modern sound damping" posts. I would also suggest that pulling up absolutely everything from the back seat and painting with POR-15 is probably a good idea. But I'm crazy like that. I've POR-15'd wood before, just to make sure it doesn't rust. Have fun!


Dan

[PCA7GGR]

If you car has a sunroof, check to make sure that the drain tubes, which come out aboute the corners of the rear window, are clear. You should be able to run a wire up through the holes.