I'm new, and this may have already been addressed somewhere else. I apologize if it has. I purchased a Maverick Grabber from my cousin 2 years ago, and it had been sitting for close to 9 years at the time. Upon inspection of the Maverick, it was apparent that there was a severe leak under the dashboard. The problem was the air vent on the outside of the car just under the windshield. Debris had fallen into the vent and had caused the snorkel sort of thing to rust around the outside, and thus, allow water to run in. I used some of that liquid steel welding compound to try to prevent the leaks inside, and it helped, but didn't fully stop the leaks. Near as I can tell, there is no simple way to remove the outside vent grill, and that seems to be the only way to fully repair the problem. So: my question is, has this happened to you? And, How did you resolve the problem? Thanks.
Okay, nevermind. I found this in the FAQ site. Now, my one question: if I get this repaird, how am I to prevent this sort of thing from happening again? What have you all tried in the way of preventative measures? The best thing I can think of is to screen the vent holes with some sort of mesh or something to keep any and all leaves from getting in. Just don't know how viable such a task would be. Anything else?
I'm pretty sure I can handle fixing the problem, but what I was curious on was preventative measures to keep this from happening again. Thanks, though.
The root is the problem is that the factory did not protect the metal used in the cowl vents and around them. If you repair it by removing the rusty metal and protect it with a galvanizing compound or rust-preventor, along with plenty of seam sealer, it should not come back. I am in the middle of this very process.
They didn't even seal the metal? It's reasons like this that I'm not a Ford man. That and I grew up with my father's Pontiac LeMans. That thing was a beast, and I loved it. On a completely unrelated topic: anybody see the new mustang concepts? http://www.fordvehicles.com/2005mustang/images/pho/mst05_exmain_3.jpg http://www.fordvehicles.com/2005mustang/images/pho/mst05_exmain_1.jpg Right there, it looks awesome and nice and retro. And then... http://www.fordvehicles.com/2005mustang/images/pho/mst05_exmain_3.jpg Ahhh! WTH were they thinking with the trapezoidal area for the round headlights?! That would've looked WAY better if they had the fender come down to encircle the headlight ala old school Mustangs and Mavericks.
Do you think Ford is the only manufacturer to cut cost by scrimping on stuff like that? When's the last time you saw any car with this much age, including a GM that wasnt rusty? My buddy across the street is a 69 Chevelle freak. You should see the rust buckets he's pulled in. None of them are immune.
Yeah I'd have to aggree, all old and new cars rust....there metal and what can you expect? I wasn't a ford man untill I bought my mav. Then I saw the true beauty in the old lines that they put on there cars. aka falcons, fairlanes (63, 64 espcially)
