Date:         Wed, 1 Apr 1998 06:28:40 -0800
Reply-To:     "CARVER, JEFFREY D" <Jeffrey.Carver@AEROJET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "CARVER, JEFFREY D" <Jeffrey.Carver@AEROJET.COM>
Subject:      Wet Floor may not be water, break fluid removal
Comments: To: Vanagon <VANAGON@VANAGON.COM>,
          "cb541@CLEVELAND.FREENET.EDU" <cb541@CLEVELAND.FREENET.EDU>

Another thing to check is a leaky brake or clutch master
cylinder or fluid reservoir or plumbing.  The PO of my
non-running '80 never figured out why the flooring was
wet under the driver's feet.  It was brake fluid.

Under the carpet is the material referred to.
The material looks like pressed wood, but is actually
a very compact dense foam material.  It can be removed
intact for cleaning, though once brake fluid has soaked
in there, it's doesn't want to come out.  This flooring
is surprisingly flexible.

Good opportunity to check and deal with floor rust.

Thorough rinsing of the carpet and flooring with water
will get rid of the brake fluid.  A self service car wash
would be the best bet.  One with the big clips to hang
them on the wall and power wash them.  Brake fluid
mixes with water, and with soap to aid it, the fluid will come
out.  Mixing brake fluid with water (and air) produces an
almost soaplike foaming.  When the foaming stops,
the brake fluid is gone (test by feeling with fingers,
brake fluid feels different than water or soap) rub
fingers together to test.

It'll take a few days in the sun to dry all this out.

- Jeff   Iwanna21/23windowsunroofDeluxewalkthru!
to be used for daily driving
'80 Westi  (2)   BOTH FOR SALE
'66 Bus, Kombi FOR SALE
'22 Piano, upright Kohler & Cambell FOR SALE
'67 Sqbk    '64 Ford Crewcab
'87 Subaru 4WD   '97 Nissan Quest
Grass Valley, California, USA
Jeffrey.Carver@Aerojet.com
- - - - - - - - -snip - - - - - - - -
And one more thing. I was travelling in rain most of the
time. My front floorboards were always wet under the rubber
foot pads. I noticed once that the front floorboards are
made of wood. I suspect these boards aren't sealed properly
and I'm getting water splashed up thru the cracks or
something and getting wet carpet up front.
All above is preliminary, possibly incorrect, and a good
reading of Bently and examination of the under side of the
front floorboards would help verify/unverify what I'm
saying.