When I bought this '71 144, little under a year back, the PO said, "Keep an eye on the heater hoses." I did. Now it's Spring and I have the car apart for some repairs and cleaning and sure enough, the floor pans are soaked with coolant. The galvy plates to the side of the pans were oxidized and there were a few spots of minor surface rust on the floors - so I cleaned and re-coated the metal. The carpets I can rinse. My concern are the fiber mats. I can't see ever being able to fully rinse Glycol from these things and as far as I know, Glycol never really dries.

Will residue in the mats cause problems (more oxidation or rust) down the road? Should I find replacement mats? Any thoughts?

Craig

Glycol is water soluble. Try soaking the mats in cold water to which a little Woolite is added. Dry thoroughly. They should survive.

The answer I was looking for. Thanks.

I'd suggest several washes to be sure you get it all out.
If you can roll some kind of roller over them while underwater to enhance
fluid exchange through the depth of the fiber you'll get a lot more
effective rinsing. If you just soak in water and drain you'll probably
leave a fair amount in there.

BTW watch out for your heater valve. They tend to get old and leak
inside the car also. (Not sure why the rubber part that cracks
HAS to be inside but it always is.)

Pull the galvanized panels up and clean under them while you are in there.
You may be amazed at what you find in there.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Oklahoma

>> You may be amazed at what you find in there.

Acorns,12 cents and a blaze orange pencil.

Actually, the heater valve was the only item in this system I did NOT replace. (The previous owner was installing a shiny new one the day I took the car.) About the mats: I have a broken down butter churn that came with an auctioned barn lot. It will live on as a fully manual floor mat rinsing agitator.

- Craig

Yes the heather valve is a problem on old Volvos.
For couple of years ago i have abn "Ice car" that i drive on a lake in the winter. One evening when i was out on the lake and practice my skill i rallying, i get very vet on my right foot.. It was the heater valve that was going for vacation... That was not nice...