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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7423
Location: northern germany | While lubing the pedal linkage I noticed that one of the firewall-drainflaps melted! How could that happen? No exhaust heat there, only the wires are close (unhooked for the picture) but the wires look pristine, including the vacuum hose and I had no electric malfunction or anything. I'm puzzled.
Edited by 1960fury 2019-11-14 5:45 AM
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13055
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | It looks like damage from oil spill or solvent Sid? Perhaps some fluid got trapped between the wire harness and the rubber lip? |
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Expert
Posts: 3577
Location: Blythewood, SC | Both of mine melted from the South Carolina heat decades ago. I think they just weren't designed to last for 50 or 60 years. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: northern germany | wizard - 2019-11-14 6:56 AM
It looks like damage from oil spill or solvent Sid? Perhaps some fluid got trapped between the wire harness and the rubber lip?
No, that is not possible. No solvent, brake fluid or anything. IIRC I poured some kind of anti-corrosion wax into it, but that's 30 years ago. The flap was fine not too long ago. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: northern germany | 57plymouth - 2019-11-14 7:33 AM
Both of mine melted from the South Carolina heat decades ago. I think they just weren't designed to last for 50 or 60 years.
The OE passenger side flap still looks like new. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains | Well, first the facts as known, something happened to it.
Why, might never be know, (it happens) ... replace it with a plastic one or tape (that my 2019 Ram has on the holes, I just installed running boards).
A list of possible suspects (villains) that might be responsible for this include; aliens, cults, politicians, Canadian socialists (terrible people), one of Donald Trumps lawyers,
gangs, organized crime, and other assorted low-lifes or driving through a puddle of solvent. ( one eyed wink ) |
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Expert
Posts: 4046
Location: Connecticut | Gary Goers/Quiery sells repros. Just buy a set from them. Ron |
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Expert
Posts: 3575
Location: Netherlands | Maybe one of the materials in the wiring-harness is starting to break down and being in close proximity to the flap, this might cause a chemical reaction/burn effect on the rubber. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7423
Location: northern germany | BigBlockMopar - 2019-11-14 11:55 AM
Maybe one of the materials in the wiring-harness is starting to break down and being in close proximity to the flap, this might cause a chemical reaction/burn effect on the rubber.
Yes, I do believe the cables have something to do with it.
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Expert 5K+
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| melted... id be worried if the wires got that hot |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: northern germany | mikes2nd - 2019-11-14 3:14 PM
melted... id be worried if the wires got that hot
Yes, me too but the wires look pristine and so the paint on the firewall, also had no electrical problems of any kind. |
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Veteran
Posts: 145
| The ones on my 57 Desoto deteriorated the same way over the years. I've also seen several cars of this vintage in my area do the same
thing. I think it's probably just thin 60 year old rubber dying from old age. Windshield moldings in the high desert area here
will shrink to the point that there are several inch wide gaps in the rubber.
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Expert
Posts: 3575
Location: Netherlands | How about window washerfluid (you have?) or cleaning fluid which drains off underneat that flap?
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7809
Location: Williams California | It's common to see that on western cars where it is dry and hot.
The rubber just plain dries out and begins to disintegrate.
---John |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: northern germany | BigBlockMopar - 2019-11-15 9:18 AM
How about window washerfluid (you have?) or cleaning fluid which drains off underneat that flap?
No optional washer and I actually very rarely wash my car, at least not in the typical way, rinsing from above. I only rinse the lower parts and that with a mild soap. If that is the way the that rubber ages, as said, we have the answer. I just thought it looks as if it got hot. Thanks all. |
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