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I ripped out my carpet yesterday as it doesn't look like it has been cleaned in 30 years. Whilst there I also took out the foam soundproofing around the front passenger/driver wells as I've had some leaks in the past.

It's a good job I did, those things were abslutely sodden with water - even after the hottest few days of the year. I could squeeze them and literally litres of dirty water was gushing out. Needless to say they were ruined - falling apart at the slightest touch. Thankfully I've done it soon enough that there's no lasting damage to the floor pans (and hopefully no expensive welding required!).

Does anyone know the best place to get replacement pieces or are you all using stuff yourself that you cut to shape?

It's just underlay really. You can get it from anywhere that supplies car carpet.

Tbh you shouldn't have any water in there.

Get a packet of smoke pellets from a plumbers merchants. Stick em in a metal tin and then set em off. Shut all doors and windows and close all the ventilation ducts.

See where the smoke is coming from. That's where water is coming in

I was looking for some brand recommendations. It's liek driving a van atm. Self adhesive or stick it yourself?

Yeah, I'm not putting anything back in until it's watertight. My mates just qualified as a gas engineer and I think he's got some pellets, I'll grab some next time I see him (and some spare!).

U can get automotive carpet underlay you simply use old ones as templates and a can of spray glue it's done

hmm. Underneath my carpets its moulded foam of some kind. Up to 50cm thick in places and obviously original ( and currently drying out too ! )Definately not just an underlay in the front
2nd point; wont smoke pellets stain headlining/ make the car stink inside ? As my car has had water ingress I want to sort it too !
Neil

Indeed, that stuff that goes from the front footwells and up the bulkhead is really thick and all shaped to the car. Doesn't look like W+N do replacements so I might have to source some from a car that didn't leak.

My mate the gasman said those pellets stink and leave residue, so he suggested a couple of smoke matches instead. I'll probably remove the seats etc. before doing this test.

You could hire or borrow one of those fog machines they had on top of the pops / night clubs?

Its not about the thickness I'm sure someone said to me that sound proofing is about density? Search Google for sound proof matting?

lol, I'll get a disco ball to go with it.

Yeah, I guess you're right. There surely must have been some advancement in soundproofing in the last 30 years. I just worry about the carpet fitting properly if the underlay isn't the same thickness/shape.

I wouldn't say there's been much advancement, the stuff in my old 2001 E39 is the exact same concept and materials as what we have n these cars, just without 30+ years of water leaking in! I'd find some that hasn't been holding water for an extended period of time, there must be enough cars out there being broken, there's several on eBay right now.

I bought standard automotive underlay from a trimmers near me.

It's pretty thick and is in one huge roll, I just cut shapes out and fitted it all in with some spray on contact adhesive.

Eddie - I'm in Manc too. Where'd you get it from?

A place called Segals Motor Trimmings.

http://www.segalmotortrimmings.net/

They're just off the inner ring road, right near Renault Manchester, they have a little carpark round the back too.

Absolutely brilliant place, I got my underlay, headlining and carpet all from there.

It's a huge place and it really is like a candy shop, everything you could ever want is there, and they're really good on price too.

Perfect, cheers. I know exactly where that is having once owned the worlds most unreliable Clio!

You and me both, many times I've been stood at their parts department!