I have water under my carpets! How to dry out?

RedZed2.8 · Post by **RedZed2.8** » Sat 12 Feb, 2011 19:13

I took my seat out to fix it stuck in the up position. One thing not clear from advice was how to adjust it. I eventually figured out that I had to remove the end bracket nut and bolt and rotate the bracket along the screw and also use a plastic mallet to adjust the seat down by knocking it!
May be obvious to some but I need to be told every step as not a mechanic - just a Z3 fan! Lucky I took the seat out as I found that under the carpets was very wet, the under carpet foam was sopping wet and there was standing water underneath. At the moment I have the carpets propped up with sticks to allow air in but dont know if that will dry the carpets out as they are so wet! Help please with any suggestions.
By the way I have just bought the car three weeks ago from a dealer! So what I have found so far is the drivers seat was stuck in the up position, ok for my wife but too high for me, especially with hood down. Wet under the carpets and in the battery well. The car dealer in potters bar had a bulgarian cleaner and I think he may have gone crazy with a high pressure water gun! I was told the car did not have an automatic hood but it does, I have now located the motor in the boot thanx to all your help. That explains why I have a switch on my lower front centre console! Any ideas how to get it working? I have a 3 month warranty but only for 'major items failing' please advise what I can claim for!

Ferdinand · Post by **Ferdinand** » Sat 12 Feb, 2011 19:37

Maybe stupid question.. but have you tried to unlock to roof - lift it a bit by hand - then apply brakepedal and push the switch to open roof??

just a thought...

RedZed2.8 · Post by **RedZed2.8** » Sat 12 Feb, 2011 19:53

Hi Ferdinand, thanks for your suggestion ,much appreciated as I do not have instructions in my manual how to operate the auto roof! That is why I was not sure if I had one or not. The dealer said it was manual but now I have found the motor to go with the switch and will try your instructon when my carpets are dry as I have the battery unplugged at the moment for safety. I would appreciate very much full instructions of how to operate the electric folding soft top roof of my z3!
Kind regards

billz · Post by **billz** » Sat 12 Feb, 2011 19:59

Unclip front handles, tilt roof, with ignition in accessory mode and foot on foot brake press the button that looks as though it has no roof. To close just press the button that looks as though it has a roof reclip back in place.
bill

Zed Carer · Post by **Zed Carer** » Sat 12 Feb, 2011 21:05

Hi RedZed2.8 - if you have got the seats out DO NOT try and operate the roof. Turning on the ignition with the seats disconnected will cause an airbag fault with a trip to the $tealers to get it reset - unless you know someone with a reset tool.

It sounds like your roof has been set for manual operation - there is a brass key on the side of the pump in the boot. IIRC turning the key anti-clockwise isolates the hydraulics allowing manual operation - turning clockwise puts it back to electric operation.

Windy · Post by **Windy** » Sun 13 Feb, 2011 18:23

Hi, I to am in the middle of drying out my carpets having had a leaking hood for some months? The only way I have managed to get them dry is to remove them. This involves removing most of the interior. I have had them on the washing line until they stopped dripping, now they are in the lounge drying out in the warm. The wife loves them there along with the seats, centre console etc? These women don’t really understand about men’s toys? Hopefully in a day or so they should be ready to be cleaned and refitted? Best of luck with yours

RedZed2.8 · Post by **RedZed2.8** » Sun 13 Feb, 2011 20:46

I have found a way to dry them out but dont know if successful yet! I took the seat off the runners one side first, then laid it sideways on the other seat without disconnecting any electricals. This allows full access to the carpet split. Then I lift up the carpets with sticks, broom handles etc with a big opening. this is in my carport by the way which has a clear roof so gets the benefit of any sun if it ever comes. Then idea! put a fan directed at the opening on an extension cable and leave it on all day.
Early part of the process consisted of squeezing carpets with blocks of wood and mopping up water with a towel, then put newspapers next to sponge unders to get further water out. Blocks of wood are good especially put end grain up against the sponge due to capillary action of the wood (as in trees!). Hopefully the carpets will not have to be taken out - will keep you posted. Many thanks for all the suggestions - this is a great forum!

snoops · Post by **snoops** » Sun 13 Feb, 2011 21:35

If this ever happens again, try asking the wife if she has a wet and dry vacuum cleaner which would have sucked all the water out to a near dry state. Failing that you could hire one.

Being a woman I would have seen no need to have car parts all over my lounge

I have the advantage of being able to do that though without any criticism as long as he can still see the footy on the TV

unclemart · Post by **unclemart** » Mon 14 Feb, 2011 00:04

Handy tip no.1 - Make your own moisture trap

Silica gel the type found in packaging for electrical goods is great for absorbing moisture. Collect it up and place a tray of the stuff on each seat, espeacially this time of year when there is plenty of condensation (and occasional leaks

) You will be amazed how much moisture is absorbed - and you can replenish the silica for reuse by shoving in the microwave.

RedZed2.8 · Post by **RedZed2.8** » Mon 14 Feb, 2011 11:47

snoops wrote:If this ever happens again, try asking the wife if she has a wet and dry vacuum cleaner which would have sucked all the water out to a near dry state. Failing that you could hire one.

Being a woman I would have seen no need to have car parts all over my lounge I have the advantage of being able to do that though without any criticism as long as he can still see the footy on the TV

I dont think a wet or dry hoover on the carpet top surface can suck water from the foam beneath the carpet as there is a base carpet rubber seal that seperates the two. That is why the carpet can be dry on top and wet below and you will not know unless you insert your finger between the front and back carpets under the seat and touch the metal beneath to 'test for under-carpet wetness'

snoops · Post by **snoops** » Mon 14 Feb, 2011 21:03

No you're probably right but using a wet and dry sounds a lot more simple than the method you described.

JohnZ · Post by **JohnZ** » Sat 19 Feb, 2011 00:44

a large plastic wash bowl with 1 KG of salt ( dry) placed in the footwell of the car then with the car closed up leave the bowl for 48 hours- you will be amazed at the amount of mosture the salt will trap.
remove bowl and dry out the salt via heat! and re-apply.
costs little!

TAV · Post by **TAV** » Mon 21 Feb, 2011 14:16

I had this problem on an old VW Polo once. There was a leak through the front window seal. I fixed it but was left with totally water sodden carpets.

I used sponges to soak the worst of it up, then put it in the garage with a small portable heat fan (on a safe wooden base). Left it on during the day, with one of the windows slightly open, and after 2 days it was all dry.

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