Leaving engine idling to dry out wet interior..?

[WindyCommon]

The front carpets of my Jeep have become soaked. It’s always leaked a little (all the “Freedom Top” models do...) but the intense and sustained rain we’ve experienced in recent weeks has meant it just hasn’t been able to dry out properly.

The car is going in to have some seals replaced in the week, which should resolve the problem.

However, I’d like to dry it out first if I can. I’ve mopped/soaked up all that I can. I had a look at removing the carpet, but that looks tricky and I’m far from sure I’d be able to get it back in properly.

Will it be ok to leave the car on my (secure/gated) drive with the engine running and the heater pumping hot air into the footwell for a few hours? It’s a diesel if that matters.

Thanks in advance.

[Tony1963]

Legally I think you can do that on your own property. You’d need to take the vehicle for a drive first to get the engine warm enough. Idling with the heater on would prove fruitless, especially in the current weather. I’d just take it for a long drive with the heater on full, footwell only, if possible.

[G600]

You could take it to a petrol station and use the wet vac? In my experience that gets most of the water out.

[WindyCommon]

Thanks. I should have been clearer - my main concern is whether leaving it idling could damage the engine. I’ll take it for a run first.

[anonymous-user]

It won't damage your engine. If it did that would take half the taxis off the road in London.

And even in 0 degrees your heater will blow hot air within around 5 minutes. Not fruitless at all lol. And you won't need to drive round the block to get it to warm up (where do you people dream up this st ?). It is also perfectly legal to leave it running on your drive :-)

It will however, damage your wallet. You can buy a dehumidifier for the same money as a tank of diesel and you've at least got something to keep!

The wet vac is a great idea to get the bulk out.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 18th January 14:07

[GreenV8S]

Just an ordinary domestic electric fan heater pointed at the carpet would do the job, no need to leave the engine running IMO..

[E-bmw]

GreenV8S said:

Just an ordinary domestic electric fan heater pointed at the carpet would do the job, no need to leave the engine running IMO..

Just make sure you leave a couple of windows open up & down wind or the moisture will just stay in the car & re-condense elsewhere.

[Zarco]

Was common practice at a second hand car dealership I worked at briefly. They did it after the interior had been washed by the valets.

[Chris32345]

RogerDodger said:

It won't damage your engine. If it did that would take half the taxis off the road in London.

And even in 0 degrees your heater will blow hot air within around 5 minutes. Not fruitless at all lol. And you won't need to drive round the block to get it to warm up (where do you people dream up this st ?). It is also perfectly legal to leave it running on your drive :-)

It will however, damage your wallet. You can buy a dehumidifier for the same money as a tank of diesel and you've at least got something to keep!

The wet vac is a great idea to get the bulk out.

Edited by RogerDodger on Saturday 18th January 14:07

Unless it's a diesel engine then it will be 20+ mins if it gets to temp at all in that weather

[Old Merc]

Not sure what Jeeps are like but almost all cars have thick padding under the carpets,so it takes for ever to dry out. I would first hire a very powerful industrial wet vac. Then use a normal fan heater with a couple of windows open. If you can get part of the carpet raised,say the door kick plates?, it may help. Be careful and check regularly, those fan heaters can get very hot and melt plastic dash parts.

[markcoznottz]

You need a George type wet vac to suck the water out the carpet, you could pay a hand car wash place a few quid to do this, as not many people have these at home. Should leave dampness rather than any standing residual/ water. Leave the vehicle running with the windows down an inch, with the face vents shut but feet vents to full airflow/ max heat. As long as the cooling fan works the vehicle will be fine. Block the vehicle in, remember if it's stolen with the keys no insurance payout. This will not damage the vehicle at all trust me, i've dried hundreds like this, its usual in the valeting trade. I remember years ago someone left a transit running for three days! No damage done.

[anonymous-user]

Chris32345 said:

Unless it's a diesel engine then it will be 20+ mins if it gets to temp at all in that weather

Are you referring to a 1920's tractor ?

"If it gets to temp at all in all that weather"

Of course it will get to temp. Without cooling it would overheat even in freezing weather.

How would diesel cars demist/defrost their screens on frozen mornings ? (Without heated windscreens elements )

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 19th January 00:51

[GreenV8S]

RogerDodger said:

Of course it will get to temp. Without cooling it would overheat even in freezing weather.

Diesels do generally take significantly longer than petrol engines to warm up, especially when not under load. Manufacturers sometimes add an auxiliary diesel heater because the engine produces such little heat at idle.

[journeymanpro]

RogerDodger said:

Are you referring to a 1920's tractor ?

"If it gets to temp at all in all that weather"

Of course it will get to temp. Without cooling it would overheat even in freezing weather.

How would diesel cars demist/defrost their screens on frozen mornings ? (Without heated windscreens elements )

Edited by RogerDodger on Sunday 19th January 00:51

Lol at 5 mins of idling, no chance with either of my 2 modern diesels are you getting warm air within 5 mins.

[Chris32345]

RogerDodger said:

Are you referring to a 1920's tractor ?

"If it gets to temp at all in all that weather"

Of course it will get to temp. Without cooling it would overheat even in freezing weather.

How would diesel cars demist/defrost their screens on frozen mornings ? (Without heated windscreens elements )

Edited by RogerDodger on Sunday 19th January 00:51

There's a difference between getting warm and getting to running temp and staying there both my last two diesel's have struggled to stay at temp ideling in cold weather -3- -4 temps and could sit at below 1 bar for 15 mins ideling
Hell took a mile of driving to get to one bar

[anonymous-user]

So what? You are telling me your car blows hot air once warmed up, then at idle, the vents blow cold after a while? Seriously ? I've never had a car that does that.

I start it, go in the house, come back after 10 mins and it's toasty inside.

I'm at a loss here tbh.

[Silent1]

RogerDodger said:

So what? You are telling me your car blows hot air once warmed up, then at idle, the vents blow cold after a while? Seriously ? I've never had a car that does that.

I start it, go in the house, come back after 10 mins and it's toasty inside.

I'm at a loss here tbh.

my diesel truck if left idling will never heat up, in fact driving it whilst carrying no load in cold weather often results in the thermostat remaining closed and the coolant remaining sub 30c, that's with everything running correctly but no radiator blanket fitted.

[Chris32345]

RogerDodger said:

So what? You are telling me your car blows hot air once warmed up, then at idle, the vents blow cold after a while? Seriously ? I've never had a car that does that.

I start it, go in the house, come back after 10 mins and it's toasty inside.

I'm at a loss here tbh.

Have you ever driven a modern common rail diesels engined vehicle?

[E-bmw]

Chris32345 said:

RogerDodger said:

So what? You are telling me your car blows hot air once warmed up, then at idle, the vents blow cold after a while? Seriously ? I've never had a car that does that.

I start it, go in the house, come back after 10 mins and it's toasty inside.

I'm at a loss here tbh.

Have you ever driven a modern common rail diesels engined vehicle?

It seems not.

[anonymous-user]

Silent1 said:

RogerDodger said:

So what? You are telling me your car blows hot air once warmed up, then at idle, the vents blow cold after a while? Seriously ? I've never had a car that does that.

I start it, go in the house, come back after 10 mins and it's toasty inside.

I'm at a loss here tbh.

my diesel truck if left idling will never heat up, in fact driving it whilst carrying no load in cold weather often results in the thermostat remaining closed and the coolant remaining sub 30c, that's with everything running correctly but no radiator blanket fitted.

What is your "diesel truck "?

Are we talking lorry ?