strange white substance on carpet in back seat

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by bmparent, May 18, 2019.

  1. bmparent

    bmparent Member

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    So I've noticed this white powdery stuff around the floor in the back seat. It's been there for a while, I didn't pay much attention because I thought I must have spilled some flour or something (I bake a lot). But I can see not that it's not flour but something more like a mold. The carpet is never wet. It's very fine and powdery almost like what you get around a better terminal when they're corrosion. That's what's coming to mind. Pics attached! IMG_2741.JPG IMG_2742.JPG
     
    #1 bmparent, May 18, 2019
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Ever get the interior professionally cleaned? Maybe some solution they used in past, didn't properly extract? Have you owned the car since new?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, May 18, 2019
  3. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Maybe it was the roses

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    Looks to me a bit like what happens when foam (as in used in seat cushions) starts to breakdown. Looks to be in the right place for it, also.

    Of course, if you -- whoops -- not going to say it. :cautious:
    Kris
     
    #3 cyberpriusII, May 18, 2019
  4. bmparent

    bmparent Member

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    Never had it professionally cleaned (but it really does need it!) I've had it 5 out of the 12 years it been around.
     
    #4 bmparent, May 18, 2019
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Might be some action by the past owner(s) then, hard to say. Think I'd pull the carpet up and check below, especially around this:

    upload_2019-5-18_10-21-23.png

    Looks odd.

    Or, might be that's where aforementioned desintegrating seat cushion is leaking down.

    What does it feel like, what texture? Crystalline, for example? A little foolhardy, but taste it? Then rinse out with copious water, lol.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, May 18, 2019
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks like that effervescence that comes up from my garage floor
     
    #6 bisco, May 18, 2019
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  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I suggest you vacuum all debris and see if it returns.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, May 18, 2019
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  8. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Whatever it is, it doesn't look safe. Vacuum it up, and like Patrick Wong suggests, see if it returns.
     
    #8 Montgomery, May 18, 2019
  9. bmparent

    bmparent Member

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    dude your a genius. How come I didn't think of that! No really, I didn't even.
     
    #9 bmparent, May 18, 2019
  10. bmparent

    bmparent Member

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    Yea, they'll be no taste-testing here.
     
    #10 bmparent, May 18, 2019
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  11. landspeed

    landspeed Active Member

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    I would definitely check the interface between that metal bracket, the floor of the car, and the bolt that is holding it in place. In case something electrolytic is going on, as that would be a bad place for corrosion!
     
    #11 landspeed, May 18, 2019
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