Vauxhall Corsa Demisting Issues

MOPI

Hi, I currently own a Vauxhall Corsa D (09 Plate) and during the last couple of weeks have been experiencing terrible problems with all windows in the vehicle steaming up and large amounts of condensation appearing on the inside of all windows. After searching the web for common problems I have firstly tried air con off, air con on, air circulation on, air circulation off and both hot and cold fan temperatures without any success. Also I have checked the vehicle over inside and can find no areas of dampness anywhere. In addition I have checked the output of air from the fan vents and there doesn't seem to be a problem there either. Lastly I took the car into the garage where they replaced the pollen filter, which seems to have little to no effect on the problem.

I am really desperate for some help with this matter as the car is very dangerous to drive in its current state and the mechanic is unsure what the problem could be.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks

Splott

You've got water in the vehicle somewhere. Check under the carpets and in the boot.

vikingaero

Modern cars are a bit of a nightmare for condensation problems. It's a combination of convoluted air ducting, ducting passing over hot spots, larger glass area, and the time of year etc.

The best settings for demisting during the winter are:

fan on
a/c on
air direction set to windscreen/floor
air recirculation off (allow fresh air in)
set centre vents to the centre of the car
set the side vents slightly up and towards the side windows

When you see cars driving along with fully misted windows it's normally a result of turning the air recirculation on. If you have an air recirculation lever/dial then check that you can hear the flaps move as you use it. If you have a button then check that you can hear the motor moving the flaps.

Hopefully you have checked that the floor carpets are wet/dry by removing the carpet/rubber mats if you have them.

With the engine at idle press the a/c button and you should see a tiny rise in engine revs and the a/c clutch engage. If when you press the button there is no increase in revs or a noise then your a/c may be low on gas (most common) or faulty. I've found that where there is a problem with the a/c then for some reason it magnifies the moisture in the vehicle. My mums Merc had a holed a/c condenser and this made the car undriveable with all the windows fogging up.

marlot

Very common this time of year. The aircon typically won't work when its lower than 5C outside, so there is no dehumidifying effect.

If you're sure there isn't a leak, I'd recommend something like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ThoMar-5217007-Car-Dehumidifier-Air/dp/B000XUPEJY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357975551&sr=8-1

withabix

Open a window.

The condensation will go quicker.

Just like the good ol' days before aircon.

MOPI

Hi thanks for all the helpful hints and advice so far!

I have just inspected the car thoroughly and the coolant doesn't seem to be any lower than 2 weeks ago when I checked. Also I can not find any damp patches on the flooring. However about 2 years ago I sustained a chip to the front windscreen and ever since then the cracks from it have got a tiny bit bigger, they now appear to be about 5mm from the chip. There are three cracks coming away from the chip, could this be the issue!?

closed

if you don't get it repaired, it may eventually require a new windscreen, especially if it's in the line of sight. Your insurance policy may cover a repair.

unlikely to be connected to your problem, wipe them with a microfibre cloth, and put the heating and blower on full blast, directed appropriately

wba31

Put newspaper down in footwells, change it every 2 days or so, will dry the air out...

MOPI

Hi,

I might try the newspaper thing just to help it along a little but I think there is something wrong with the car somewhere.

I don't know if the windscreen is the issue. I have noticed that no matter what the little triangular window, which is situated between the front passengers door and the windscreen does not demist, even though it has its own fixed fans pointed directly at it. Also everything seems to be a lot worse on the passengers side for some reason, which isn't really where the small crack/chip is located. Is there anything I can do to test the seals on the car myself before taking it back the garage?

SLITHER99

One of my many issues with my old Mk3 mondeo.

I had these sorts of issues. No matter the weather, I'd have water on the windows, the seats would often be damp, it was just getting worse. I had the aircon and pollen filters looked at, etc, couldn't find the issue.

One day, prior to MOT, I was looking over the car and decided one of the tyres was on the virge of legal limit. So, knowing I had a good spare, thought I'd change up.

Well whaddya know, the spare tyre well in the boot was literally full of water. As in, I literally got a jug and had to turf it out. Again, spidey senses out, I couldn't fathom how the car was leaking under the weather.

But then the Mondeo is a piece of **** anyway!

johnmc

Take a tip from the caravaners. A container of cat litter will absorb moisture. You can put it in some socks and tie the top off.

Finding leaks into a car is almost impossible.

At the bottom of the windscreen is a gutter designed to take water and drain it through plastic tubing. If the drain is blocked, with leaves for example, the water builds up in the gutter.

Quite often there's DIY wiring running through the bulkhead (well, it is a Corsa), through the gutter and into the engine bay. Check for any of these not having a watertight grommet.