ksti

Got back from some errands today, started cleaning interior and pulled the drivers side floor mat and found this mess. The carpet has been worn for a while.
Looks like sound proof coating is melting. Floor was warm in that area. I just wondering if it's slight exhaust leak or heat shield problem.

rworegon

Time to crawl underneath and take a look. Either of your ideas are possible. Can't say I've ever seen something like that where it looks melted or, maybe, even slightly charred.

donomite49

my truck has a hard pad in the high wear area there. i would investigate a hot cat or exhaust leak.
have you looked underneath yet?

ksti

Not yet it's raining right now. Cat is one year old and sits back farther from the area in question. Looks possibly like its at cross over area.

donomite49

if it's a crack at the Y crossover area it could be a PITA.
thats why i spent over a week fabbing a custom crossover underneath on my swap.

hopefully it is where you can repair it without taking it off.

ksti

Yea, That would exhale profusely. I also thinking if it is a leak at y and I don't fix it then it will probably cause it to fail smog test.
There's a guy who owns an old school muff shop in my neighborhood.
It just will be a lot easier up on a lift. I'm probably gonna have him look at it.

donomite49

another thing to consider is it will rust underneath as well from the exhaust over time.

it will be soo much easier to look at on a lift.

ksti

So I left my rig at the muffler shop in my neighborhood this morning.
We did an initial look underneath and the routing of exhaust system doesn't go past the pedal area.

He's going to call me when he lifts it and then I can go down there and check out all of the undercarriage while I'm there.
Crossing my fingers that its a quick and simple fix.

ksti

Went back to muffler shop, no exhaust leaks, nothing at y crossover, no cat blockage, heat shields all in place.
That's weird. Something is causing it.
This is going to bug me until I figure it out.

At least no oil leaks real clean underneath.
I guess I'll just pull up the carpet and install some dynomat for a temporary fix.

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

hows your brake fluid and clutch fluid?

morena67

-I have that same spot in my truck, I believe it is water licking from somewere up.
Maybe around the windshield wich is enough damaged, or the inside of the fender, the space were the windshield blades are, right where the water drains out.
-since it smells and look like rust I took off the vinyl carpet, sand the rust off and repaint it. ...

ksti

The fluid levels are full and clean, checked for drips/leaks to no avail.
All dry under dash and lower pivot vent under steering column.
Cut out a wee bit of carpet in the bad area and it definitely has a faint charred odor to it.
No run's, no drips, no leaks. Windshield and upper molding is good. No rust or water collecting in any hood rail's, fender's or galley's.
There is no moisture or mildew odor anywhere, always smells like vanilla flavored christmas tree lol.
Also upon further inspection I see faint outline of where hard pad once was like Donomite49 mentioned.
Still not 100% sure what it was/is yet, but will repair before I install new carpet.

donomite49

ksti, you got a hot foot? or at least a hot heal. lol

really, if it's heat related you would think exhaust leak. moisture, you would think clutch/brake fluid like vital suggested. keep us posted.

Terrys87

iTrader: (1)

I am just curious to see what is under the carpet in that area. Mine is the previous gen but alot is still the same.

ksti

I haven't removed carpet yet for replacement, but where the hole is, it looks to be some kind of sound proofing/undercoating and now,
I'am not sure if it's factory or not.

I'am working tomorrow and Friday, so I will peel back carpet on affected area this Saturday or Sunday.

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

It may have been that brake fluid leaked down there settled and ate into the rubberized deadener.

ksti

That could be it and PO replaced leaky part, but probably just wiped down carpet and didn't get all the fluid out and just ate away slowly.
Make's sense. Thanks for the heads up.

RAD4Runner

Yes to both, guys.
There's tar sound damping material on the floor.


Exhaust heat could melt it. Carpet soaks up & masks brake fluid from Previously leaking clutch cylinder. Add that to the soft tar and you could get that. I peeled carpet off mine, scrubbed it with Fast Orange (pumice hand cleaner) and rinsed. That stuff worked really well on brake fluid.

Brake fluid will also strip paint, and hasten rusting. Here'how it looked like on mine.


ksti, I suggest you peel carpet and inspect. While you're at it, before you put carpet back might as well sound-proof and heat-proof from firewall to floor on back seat. I used Thermo-shield that Mark (Chefyota4x) discovered at Pep Boys. I went all crazy on mine - LOL

Merry Christmas, guys!

ksti

Yea, this weekend I'am going to check it out.
I have a couple of rolls of dynomat, good stuff and will do the whole floor.
Thanks for all the info and advice guy's.

Probably order carpet some time after New Year's Day

ksti

Peeled carpet back and very minimal damage.
Put some dynomat in affected area temporarily until I do all the carpet.
It still looks charred a bit. Really got up under dash to check for any kind of leaks or past signs of any. Nothing, nada.


Booger snot mess


dynomat (High heat insulation) Temporary