Rust/corrosion or coolant/antifreeze

2015 HONDA CIVIC
59,200 MILES • 3 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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HEATHER GRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
All four floorboards are wet and when I pressed my hand to the carpet to feel how wet, now my hands are stained orange. Could it be rust/corrosion or coolant/antifreeze? I just purchased this car last night. It has been raining in our area for several days, including last night and today. I took all the floor mats out to see if the carpet would dry, but they haven’t. I did not realize the issue until I got the car home. I brought it back to the dealership today. They have it in their service department now.
Dec 15, 2018 at 12:56 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 110,190 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

If it was coolant, it would feel slippery and have a sweet smell to it. Also, coolant won't evaporate where as water will.

Since there is so much, I have a feeling it is water and the orange could be rust or dirt. The best thing to do is to remove the mats and using a wet/dry vac, suck as much of the water as possible from the carpet, and then allow it to dry, which can take a couple days.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
Dec 15, 2018 at 7:14 PM
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