Removing coolant (antifreeze) from carpet.

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

I have had serious coolant leaks into the cabin on two 80's era Audis.
In both cases, I didn't have any success trying to get the coolant out of 
the carpet and underlayment with towels and vacuums.

After days of trying, took out the front seats and removed the carpet and 
the underlayment and discardedtrash bags full the soaked underlayment, 
right down to the metal floorboards.  I washed the carpet in my driveway, 
using a hose. Then I sopped it as dry as possible with towels and walking 
on the towels, wringing them out, and repeating endlessly.

Finally removed the carpet from the driveway and laid it out in a 
weather-protected garage for about 4 days.  Then I took it into the sun for 
a day of more thorough drying. I have also used a hairdryer to aid this 
process.

Replaced the underlayment with inch-thick felt padding from a custom 
upholstery shop, and replaced the carpet on top of it.

Both cars are dry and rust free today, and the cabins are without moisture.

Doyt Echelberger

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At 11:12 AM 6/3/2006, you wrote:
>How do you remove coolant (antifreeze) from the interior carpet? It's been  a
>real project replacing the heater core in my '88 80Q. Although I haven't  hit
>the road yet, I am constantly reminded of the sticky mess I have in the
>drivers foot well as I am laving on my back trying to put together a million
>screws, switches and connectors. I've been sopping up the mess with 
>newspaper
>placed under the floor matt and I keep changing the wet paper but it never 
>seems
>to get any better. What should I try? Baking Soda? Sugar? Detergent? .....
>What  will cut Antifreeze? Also a word to the wise, if your 80 or 90 has a 
>bad
>heater  core, disconnect it, and sell the car to someone in the tropics......
>Jim
>88 80Q
>85 4KQ