Condensation in car...

Manxman_in_exile

We've had occasional problems with condensation in our car over the years which has been tracked down to a blocked drain for the A/C that has just needed to be unblocked - and that's always fixed it.

The car's been getting very little use owing to Covid lockdowns (about one trip a week, 6 miles a week) and condensation was becoming noticeable last month and I thought to myself "Need to unblock the drain again".  But then about ten days ago I went out to go for the weekly shop and all the windows in the car were covered in condensation.  It was so damp I could barely mop it up - water was dripping from the glass onto the dash and parcel shelf etc.  On further investigation, although the windows in the cabin were all misted up, the cabin carpets and seats etc all seemed dry, but there was an obvious dampness/moisture problem in the boot where the carpeting was very damp and some staining around the wheel arches.  Lifting the boot carpet revealed moisture around the spare wheel recess.

Brought it into the independent garage I use and he cannot definitely identify the problem.  There's no blockage in the A/C; rubber seals on the hatchback seem ok; rear lights seem watertight; underside of car seems alright.  The one thing he can suggest is that there's some fault with the hatchback window (he noticed moisture was more evident straight after operating rear window washer) and that this either needs replacing or cutting out and re-bonding(?).  It's not something his garage would do so I need to find go to a windscreen fitter.  No charge for investigating the problem but failing to identify a definite answer.

I'm no car geek, but does that sound a likely cause of the problem and the correct solution?  I'm a bit annoyed with myself that I hadn't noticed it earlier, but the car is being used so infrequently it must have been like this for some time.

It's a 12 plate Mondeo.

tommyedinburgh

I recall this issue in a previous similar ages  Mondeo Pool car at work (no pun intended). 

In that case, it was a leaking joint in the little pipe that supplied the water for the rear window wiper skoosher. The water was travelling down the pillar into the boot as you have described more or less. 

Grumpy_chap

Try a PINGI.

Manxman_in_exile

tommyedinburgh said:

I recall this issue in a previous similar ages  Mondeo Pool car at work (no pun intended). 

In that case, it was a leaking joint in the little pipe that supplied the water for the rear window wiper skoosher. The water was travelling down the pillar into the boot as you have described more or less. 

Thanks.  I'm going to have a closer look at the rear washer tomorrow.

Manxman_in_exile

Grumpy_chap said:

Try a PINGI.

I was thinking of getting one to help dry the car out after whatever it is, is fixed.  Do they work?

Grumpy_chap

Manxman_in_exile said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Try a PINGI.

I was thinking of getting one to help dry the car out after whatever it is, is fixed.  Do they work?

Working for me.  
I only found out about them recently from a thread on here.
Also recommended to my neighbour and working for him too.

angrycrow

Pingi works very well I have one in each of my cars. Suggestion is to leave it on the dash when parked a but I leave them in the front cubby hole of the centre console and they still work. 

coffeehound

If the washers are run without high enough anti-freeze concentration, the tubes can freeze and rupture.  Might at least be an easier fix than glazing problems.  Hope it's easy to find; leaks are a right pain the neck.

facade

Manxman_in_exile said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Try a PINGI.

I was thinking of getting one to help dry the car out after whatever it is, is fixed.  Do they work?

Yes, but they are not a miracle cure.  I keep a couple in the Renault Nissan, as Nissan UK couldn't be bothered building it properly, and it is always damp inside.

Best is a fan heater inside the car with the windows slightly open, supplement that with an open sealable pot of calcium chloride flakes, these turn to liquid when they absorb moisture, you must be careful to seal the pot before you drive off and knock it over.

Once you have broken the back of the problem, the PINGI type silica gel (you can use silica gel cat litter,but you need to dry it out  first) will absorb a small amount and keep it under control.

moneysaver

Hi,

    Not sure if it is the same with the Mondeo. I have 2013 Focus & it seems I have a leak behind the rear bumper, loose air vents causing it, seems quite common.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VUH5GeMmoI

Not sure if it is the same for Mondeo, worth a look.  I am waiting to get my mechanic to replace mine or seal them.

I don't have lots of water ingress but enough to cause condensation. I bought a Pingi seems to help.

Moneysaver

poppasmurf_bewdley

A major cause of condensation in cars is a blocked pollen filter.

Try swopping it for a new one.  When I did mine, the old one was just a soppy wet mess, but afterwards, no condensation.