Condensation in car...

Grumpy_chap

Given the weather recently, it is possible that there is a high level of condensation in the car but no leak.

I say this because both my cars and my neighbour's car have developed a condensation problem while the cars are sat unused through this lockdown but neither of us experienced a problem before.  Seems rather a coincidence that three cars would all develop leaks in the same two-month period.

There is some science behind my rationale.  Cars used regularly up until end October, then idle November lockdown, back in limited use for a couple of weeks then idle again since Tier 4 lockdown 16th December.  So, the cars have air locked in pretty much since early December and that air contains a certain level of moisture.  As that air has cooled significantly in the recent cold snap, the capacity of the air to hold water decreases - relative humidity increases.  The moisture has to come out of the air and can't get out of the car (which is acting like a sealed box), to the effect is massive amounts of condensation in the car.

Outcome, massive condensation, no leaks anywhere...

Manxman_in_exile

Grumpy_chap said:

...
Outcome, massive condensation, no leaks anywhere...

Thank you.

Yes - I had considered this and wondered whether the lack of use of the car for a week at a time over several months may have caused the problem.

It's been warm, breezy and quite sunny here today.  The mats have been out of the boot and the boot left open - towards the sun - for nearly six hours.  I went for our weekly shop tonight at 6:30 and there was no condensation at all - whereas last Saturday I needed a diving mask and a snorkel.

I'll see what it's like tomorrow and also investigate the rear wiper/washer.  See if it gets worse again over the week.

maxsteam

A couple of ideas:
Lift out the spare wheel and mop up any puddle from what, on many cars, is the lowest area in the boot. This will remove some water that's already in the car but obviously wont stop more water getting in. When warmer weather arrives, leaving the boot and windows open for a couple of hours on a sunny day will achieve the same.
If you are in an area where there are a lot of trees it's worth clearing out all the decomposing and decomposed leaves from the drainage routes annually.

AdrianC

maxsteam said:

If you are in an area where there are a lot of trees it's worth clearing out all the decomposing and decomposed leaves from the drainage routes annually.

Including removing the grille from around the wipers at the base of the screen, and cleaning out the plenum beneath - there'll be drains at the bottom, which may well be blocked, too.

jimjames

coffeehound said:

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.

That would certainly be a possibility after the freezing weather last week. Headlight washer seems to have leak on my car since then and I suspect it's a hose split

Manxman_in_exile

Thanks again.

Had another four hours today with the boot open and the mats out.  Good drying weather and there is no obvious damp/water/moisture left at the moment.  Will look at rear wiper/washer next week.

Thanks maxsteam and AdrianC.  Yes - leaves might well be a problem.  Or even the problem.  Will look at that next week too.