drowning...

hey folks..

I live in wet vancouver, bc. My wifes car, a 98' civic dx hatchback,
decided that somewhere on the body to allow a lot of water in. Probably
over a period of 1.5 weeks of heavy rain, there was enough water in the
entire car to fill the spare tire compartment up to halfway of the
spare tire and flood the driver and passenger cabin space with enough
water that the ground is squishy.

upsetting...

Anyways.. I vac'd out the water from the spare tire compartment and did
the best I could with the driver/passenger cabin space (in front and
behind the seat). Also under the rear passenger seat.

So I have to:

a) figure out a way to rip out all the carpets and siding and attempt
to find the leak. Attempt to dry all sponge and carpet.
b) pay someone to do this.

for a)

First of all, I think that I can do a, however, I'm having problems
removing the rear passenger seating and need to figure that out.. if
someone could help me out there. Removing the seats souldn't be a
problem and if I have to remove the carpet I'm thinking that if I
remove the side floor panels I'll be able to get to sides of the
carpet.

for b)

Where would I take this and how much do you figure that I would be
paying for this?

Regardless.. I don't think that I'll ever be able to get the mildew
smell out of the car now.. smells like old hockey equipment.. pretty
nasty.

thoughts/comments? thanks in advance.

Eric

 

Easy enough, but you've got a lot of disassembly to do. The front seats
are held in by 4 bolts each. Trim is clipped in. Carpet edges are trapped
by the side trim and center console, all of which must be removed.

You have to remove the rear seatbacks first.
This is for the Accord, but the Civic is the same basic concept:
<http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/manual_scans/accord/94_accord_rear_seat_removal.pdf>

Remove rear seatbacks, remove center bolt at back of seat cushion,
swivel seat cushion up and forwards to disengage hooks at front.

If you get somebody else to do this, you'll pay a fortune.

Besides, there's a good chance your ECU is wet. Don't attempt
to start the car until you verify the dryness of the ECU and its
associated wiring.

That's tough. My sister's '01 Civic has that problem. She's never been
flooded, but she's had a leak near the pedals that no one's ever
been able to find. The driver's footwell smells like dirty socks.

Maybe time for an insurance claim for you?