Interior damp!

[Dickie936]

I have no room in my garage for my 2 so it's been on my drive, under a waterproof, fabric cover.

I haven't been able to spend any time on it for a month and, upon looking in it this morning, it appears to have accumulated it's weight in condensation and has started to develop mold on the seat, steering wheel and gear stick gator leather, as well as the fabric on the door and the inside of the roof.

I was thinking of getting a little electric dehumidifier. I could maybe use it once per week for an hour or so.

Does anyone have any tips to reduce the condensation please?

[Topdownman]

Sounds like you need to be looking in the bins for leaks and checking the drains and bags are clear.

If any water gets under the carpet too, it doesnt go anywhere as the carpet is plastic backed so cant evaporate unless you take out the passenger bin and seal and pull back the carpet.

Once you have done that, some kitty litter can be used to absorb moisture (you might be able to dry it out and re-use it too).

[Gaz mr-s]

You're a new owner, - where did the previous owner keep it?   When it's not raining get a bottle of water & pour it at the bottom of the  rear 'corners' of the hood. If the drains are working you will immediately see water dripping to the ground under the car.

[Joesson]

@dickie 936
If your drains are working then I suggest that the problem is with your cover being waterproof condensation is former under it and under it is your car.
If your hood is weather resistant I would try just leaving the car without the cover for a while to dry out, leave windows open when practical / secure to do so.

[iffyT]

Also, if you get a musty smell build up from the damp you can use some Bicarbonate of soda in an ice cream tub or similar with holes poked in the lid. It's fairly cheap online for a kilo or so. Set it under the seat and swap it out weekly.

Agree with @Joesson I would remove the cover for a while to let air circulate. Ideally a couple of long drives with the heat on as well.

[Dickie936]

The drains were blocked!

I was advised to check them as soon as I got her but didn't for some reason.

I got the cover when I noticed, after a heavy rainfall, the carpet behind the driver was swimming.
I've just cleaned the drains (behind the side intakes, right?) And tried my best to get all the c**p from the top, too.
I have to be honest, i haven't searched the forum yet for the correct way to clean the top of the drains. I just tried to get what I could, from outside, when the hood was sort of half down.
Managed to clear a lot but it's such a tight space I can only check it's clean by feel.

This will teach me to concentrate on all the mods I can do and ignore the maintenance basics, eh!

[Gaz mr-s]

As mentioned you need to take out the bins behind the seats.  You may find a quantity of water, & if you do you'll probably find that the bin drains are blocked. The look like rubber grommets with a hole in them, but they are short length rubber pipes. Some people get rip them out. (I did) If your main drains have a problem there is always going to be some water in the bins because the rubber top sits proud.

And if the bins have water it may have gone forward under the carpet. Remove the plastic sill strips & lift the carpet to get your hand underneath it. There could be litres.

You've bought a car that previous owner didn't know how to maintain. Use something flexible without a sharp point to clear the drains.

[Ardent]

Just to add, as another new member on here is finding out. The drain exit is behind the side vent which brings its own joys in terms of removing.
Worth doing though.

From a way back post. In terms of the condensation, something called a "damp trap"? from wilko? is a very good option to leave in the 2, to soak/absorb condensation.

[LeRich]

In terms of the condensation, something called a "damp trap"? from wilko? is a very good option to leave in the 2, to soak/absorb condensation.

I've used these in the past and they can absorb a huge amount of water.

If it's any condolence to owners with damp issue, MR2s are far more water-tight than MG TFs. I gave up chasing leaks from the A-pillar in my old one. I barely get a drop through on the MR2 despite the fact the rubbers look quite perished.

[Mr2paul]

Silica pouches are made for the job. I use them to keep damp away in electrical panels. I once used the damp trap but it turns into a liquid mess and cannot be used anymore so be prepared to continually buy new ones.

[normanh]

Silica Gel pouches have a limited life and once saturated with moisture uptake they simply dont work anymore. Silca Gel needs to be regenerated at about `120C to remove moisture unfortunately the packaging using wont take the heat as that is made from non woven PP which melts to a complete mess.
The canister types that turn to liquid work until the granules are consumed -m these are usually Calcium Chloride and for the price are the most effective.

Norman

[russ69]

I keep a Pingi dehumidifier bag in the middle dash top box and just get it out and stick it on the dash when I park up. When the blue dot on the bag disappears just microwave it to dry out. Had it a couple of years does a good job about £6 from anywhere on t'interpipe.

[BahnStormer]

I use one of these "Apalus" reusable Silca Gel bags... I just leave one behind the passenger seat and take it out and microwave it every few weeks...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B077QDTJFS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1