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Posted by: Lawrence Oct 4 2004, 07:51 AM

This weekend, I went to my storage unit (a garage that I rented before my departure).

I was to discover that there was water damage in the unit. My clothes had been cleaned and placed in garment bags and had mildew on them. Books - mildew. Interior of Elwood - mildew on vinyl, leather covered steering wheel, glass and carpet.

I spent some time on Saturday spraying everything down with Lysol and wiping up as much as I could from the smooth surfaces. The carpets got pulled and sprayed.

Sunday I cleaned everything again with lemon scent Pledge. Most of the smell is gone. Then I took the mats to the carwash and power-washed them off.

Also, Sunday, I started the car. I think that I adjusted the valves a bit too tight before I left, so I didn't take the car out of a drive. Between a needed valve adjustment and year old fuel... I need to do some more work before Elwood hits the roads.

Any suggestions for the mildew... something I haven't tried yet?

-Rusty

Posted by: DNHunt Oct 4 2004, 07:59 AM

Great to hear you are home. Thank you for your efforts and sacrifice.

I can't help with suggestions for the mildew problem but I hope you enjoy the car as much as you deserve to.

Welcome home

Dave

Posted by: Bleyseng Oct 4 2004, 08:03 AM

Park the car in the sun and leave the window open a crack.

Let the car get real hot inside and the smell will bake out.

You can use all those interior cleaners too but ....its a tough smell to get rid of.

glad you're back buddy safe and sound!

Geoff

Posted by: ArtechnikA Oct 4 2004, 08:12 AM

great to hear !

so where in the world are you now ?

welcome back !

Posted by: Carl Oct 4 2004, 11:03 AM

Wecome Home, Rusty. Glad to have you back.

My wife gave me some upholstery and carpet cleaner called "Resolve". I've not used the upholstery stuff but the carpet cleaner works very well on dirt, stains, etc. It would be worth a try on the mildew.

I think it's available at major hardware and grocery stores.

Carl

Posted by: balljoint Oct 4 2004, 11:13 AM

[ Park the car in the sun and leave the window open a crack.

Let the car get real hot inside and the smell will bake out.

]



But air the car out first. Mildew is comfy in moisture so you want to get the interior as dry as possible too.

Posted by: jim912928 Oct 4 2004, 11:14 AM

For the "smell" try febreeze. Had a mildewy smell in myjeep and poof it's gone with febreeze.

note: you still have to get rid of the mildew...this just neutralizes the smell.

Posted by: Lawrence Oct 4 2004, 12:24 PM

Thanks for the tips, guys... and the welcome.

Just found a leaking M/C. I know it's brake fluid from the taste. Do those grommets that plug the lines into the M/C leak?

Rebuilt M/C less than 2000 miles ago. Exterior of the M/C powdercoated to match suspension.

There's no fluid under the pedals. No obvious drips, but I think they might have been wiped away by bunched up plastic that was under the car (when I moved the car).

No increase of drippage when a random stranger (neighbor) stomps on the brake pedal while I'm looking.

-Rusty

Posted by: McMark Oct 4 2004, 12:27 PM

Those grommets do leak and are a PITA to replace as well.

Posted by: Lawrence Oct 4 2004, 12:28 PM

Are the grommets available separately?

Replacing them is easy... reseating the lines into the M/C is a PITA.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Oct 4 2004, 12:33 PM

pull the MC and do the grommet R&R on the bench.
it takes but a moment to unbolt the MC and it's SO much easier to deal with the lines from the top (on a bench) than trying to do it on your back under the car...

Posted by: shoguneagle Oct 6 2004, 02:36 PM

Lawrence,
Glad to see you back. I felt kind of bad of not being over there with you. I was involved in the first "Iraqi War" with fearless leader Geo. W. "leading and directing". Get over the sand fleas?

Very happy to see you back and involved with the 914-6. Now that I do not have to "sweat bullets" now that you are back, I think I will take "R&R" in Hawaii for the next couple of weeks.

Steve Hurt
Shoguneagle
USN/USNR/USAFR
M/Sgt Retraining for Civilian Life----AND STILL GOING!!!!

Posted by: Lawrence Oct 6 2004, 06:35 PM

Hi Steve,

I wholeheartedly approve of you taking some R&R. Find a nice dive site, and go deep for me!

-Rusty

Posted by: Brad Roberts Oct 6 2004, 06:37 PM

Welcome back LB I havent had time to say "hello" or breathe for that fact. Glad you made it home safe. We will speak soon.


B

Posted by: Lawrence Oct 6 2004, 06:48 PM

it's good to be back.

Sounds good. I'll try to call you at the shop this week... but I've been pretty busy being a dad.

-Rusty

Posted by: Racer Chris Oct 6 2004, 07:10 PM

Should be. I know I bought some in the past.