Huge mold growth in sound insulation and carpet liner

[Canadian Ranger]

I just found huge mold in sound insulation and carpet liner (I removed the trim to show...it's covered normally)

How could this occur at that spot? It's in such an odd location.

I haven't spilled anything, but there were large rains in california this winter.

I'm assuming this is warranty work, right?
(Sigh...another issue on this vehicle)

Did you have wet footwear on while getting in and out of the truck during those heavy rains? Or did your family member who was driving?

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[jblc]

Did you have wet footwear on while getting in and out of the truck during those heavy rains? Or did your family member who was driving?

No, never. And nobody drives it except myself. Also I have a rubber floormat (removed from this photo to show the mold underneath)

 

[Canadian Ranger]

No, never. And nobody drives it except myself. Also I have a rubber floormat (removed from this photo to show the mold underneath)

We get that here in Canada with snow off our footwear as we get in and out of our vehicles. It melts, water gets in there and never evaporates, then rusts the floor out.
Water defiantly got in. If it's dry I'd guess it happened a loooong time ago and was just a 'one off' occurrence.

 

[jblc]

We get that here in Canada with snow off our footwear as we get in and out of our vehicles. It melts, water gets in there and never evaporates, then rusts the floor out.
Water defiantly got in. If it's dry I'd guess it happened a loooong time ago and was just a 'one off' occurrence.

Turns out it's recent: I just pulled off more of the trim, and felt underneath the floor insulation, in the raised/sloped area under the dash (the part next to the brake pedal). It's moist. So something seems to have been either coming from above, or so much moisture, that it's still wet after a few weeks.

 

[moorejl57]

I wonder how many of us just ran out to our trucks and lifted our floor mats?

 

[Gerder]

Turns out it's recent: I just pulled off more of the trim, and felt underneath the floor insulation, in the raised/sloped area under the dash (the part next to the brake pedal). It's moist. So something seems to have been either coming from above, or so much moisture, that it's still wet after a few weeks.

OhNo… what about the fuse box? Had a similar issue with the 2007 Ranger. Had a hole right behind the clutch pedal. Rust after 7 years. You might not be that far I guess.

 

[Justin says...]

Just checked mine, all good. Double checked with the thermal since any cold (or hot) spots should be obvious.

 

[IdahoRanger]

That's pretty gross.

 

[jblc]

Update: they couldn't find any leak.
They are telling me to go to a 3rd-party company for service -- which is the same thing they told me for the window whistling noise issue. Presumably that company specializes in trim work etc and can find noise and water leaks better.
Either way they're ordering a new carpet to replace.

1) So apparently Ford is outsourcing more of their warranty work? Is this good or bad? I can't tell.


2) How big of an operation is is to replace the carpet? If they have to tear out the interior to do so, that seems risky... i read on here that removing the dash always ends up with more noise than factory, so I'm wondering if there are similar issues with removing the seats, console, etc.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Hey JB,

It’s too bad your Ford dealer can’t figure this out. Flooring replacement isn’t that complicated and you shouldn’t worry about the seats and console and the trim pieces that hold it in place.

 

[9zero1790]

so the warranty is covering work at a non ford dealer??? id get that in writing and double check with ford first. ive never heard anything out of ford dealers or customer care than bring it to a dealer...

 

[jblc]

so the warranty is covering work at a non ford dealer??? id get that in writing and double check with ford first. ive never heard anything out of ford dealers or customer care than bring it to a dealer...

Exactly. I have it in writing , with an email printout from one of their warranty heads, saying they're outsourcing specialized jobs related to water leaks, air leaks, and body panel alignment. The dealer mentioned the shop will call them to verify an active repair order and bill Ford.

 

[WOADKIL]

There is always a chance that it was a POS piece of insulation before it was installed at the factory...

I think the burden should be on the dealer/factory to prove that it was neglect on your part. Maybe a Google search of something possibly similar might show other instances of neglect, like the shippers leaving the window open on the trailer?!?

Just saying

 

[NoTacos]

There is always a chance that it was a POS piece of insulation before it was installed at the factory...

I think the burden should be on the dealer/factory to prove that it was neglect on your part. Maybe a Google search of something possibly similar might show other instances of neglect, like the shippers leaving the window open on the trailer?!?

Just saying

But it sounds like the OP is saying they are covering the warranty work - it’s just someone else doing it. And good on the dealership to say we can’t find it but we are going to send the work out to another shop to look again and install the carpets. That is pretty satisfactory outcome - the OP didn’t need to bring out the stick on them.

JB - best of luck on it. Like Duke said the carpet replacement should be pretty straight forward. Maybe when they do take it out there will be some sign of where the water is coming from once the carpet is fully removed.

 

[Friday yet?]

Update: they couldn't find any leak.
They are telling me to go to a 3rd-party company for service -- which is the same thing they told me for the window whistling noise issue. Presumably that company specializes in trim work etc and can find noise and water leaks better.
Either way they're ordering a new carpet to replace.

1) So apparently Ford is outsourcing more of their warranty work? Is this good or bad? I can't tell.


2) How big of an operation is is to replace the carpet? If they have to tear out the interior to do so, that seems risky... i read on here that removing the dash always ends up with more noise than factory, so I'm wondering if there are similar issues with removing the seats, console, etc.

My experience with a previous Mercury is that all dealers send water leak issues out to "specialists." While I can only speak for my one experience, I was not impressed. To the point of raised volume profanity, Ford corporate involvement, and reworking of the entire repair. Yea, I lost my shit. Not one of my finer moments.

Anyway, best of luck to you. Really sucks that you are having to deal with this crap. Please continue to keep us posted.

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