I bought a rust free 2001 T&C with low miles a few months ago. It will not be driven until summer. I read through this entire thread (good stuff in here) and don’t believe the inside of the rockers have ever been wet. Still, I pulled all the body/drain plugs in the rockers and worked for about 8 hours removing foam. I believe I have a clear path from front to back, but also had a sense that I could keep digging around in there until the cows come in and never get all of it. With the help of compressed air and a shop vac, most of the loose crumbs have been sucked out.
But I had another idea to get even more foam out. What about sticking the wand of my pressure washer in there and blasting around with 3200 PSI of water? That will for sure rid the rockers of any remaining crumbs. With no need to drive the van for another 2-3 months, will that be enough time for the rockers to dry out before adding some fluid film and/or tranny fluid? Or is it a bad idea to introduce any water inside there?
Also, when it come time to put the plugs back in, what do the rest of y’all use to seal them in place? RTV? Silicone caulk?
Thanks in advance.
No, don't add extra water to the mix, you have done enough. Compressed air would be a better alternative if you want to go that route.
The drain holes for the rocker panels need to be free of any sealant so they can freely drain. They should have had more drain holes from the factory.
For good measure, you may want to treat the rocker panels every year or two. Don't seal the plugs with anything. Krown Rust Control here, use a grease, I assume silicone, around the plug holes for additional protection, although the corrosion protection itself, be it Fluid Film, should do just fine on its own. With a proper size hole, the plugs are a force fit, to stay in place.
Plugging the drain holes temporarily and pouring some old transmission fluid, or oil, in there will saturate whatever rust dust etc. that's lies along the bottom.
What are you using for corrosion protection, spraying equipment, wands, and for plugging any holes you drill? How are you treating the door panels, hatch, and body panels? the under carriage? the electrical? I spray the whole engine compartment and all hoses and electrical. The sliding door tracks get a good spay as well.
Good luck with your project. I have an 8 gallon compressor and a spray gun with wands. It takes me about 3 hours to do a vehicle using ramps. NAPA is one source for the proper plugs.
PS: LEVY is up early, must have been putting wood in the furnace.
