Has anyone any personal experience trying to slow down the rot due to a lack of maintenance of the hood drains in the 123 body? I just bought an 84 to serve as a donor to my 1983 sometime in the future. The seller had no idea and never bothered to clean the drains at the hood hinges while living in a heavily treed neighborhood. I want to try and get up to four years out of the car (best case) but need to abate this problem. So far I think the front seats are safe. I want to pull both fenders and the front bumper to get at things, clear out the drains and maybe protect the lines I assume carry the water away. The plan is to use roofing tar and fabric if you're familiar with flat roof techniques. Just wondered if anyone has ever gotten into this and what their experiences were. I paid $700 for the car. I believe the engine is sound, ac works, vacuum is great. Thinking I can study this creature for a while and know if the drive train is worthwhile while it's being used. I had this happen to me earlier so I have some understanding of the problem just not the remedy. Thanks.

pulling the fenders will not get you anything. everything is part of the superstructure. just get in there with a hose and a vac and clean it all up, then brush away all the rust, and see what you have. once you know what's there it's easier to clean up. order a trial size of por-15 and treat what you find. then patch the holes with fiberglass, and you probably won't have any more issues with it.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I'd pull the plastic cover panels in the rear of the front wheel wells, there are 4 8mm screws holding it in. Lots of junk collects inside there.

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