Steamed up windows as soon as I get in

[nicola]

Does anyone else have this problem? I just bought a 54 plate Seat ibiza 1.2 at the weekend. A couple of things aren't quite right - one is the windscreen wipers make a hell of a noise and the other is the windows steam up as soon as I get in! I mean it's not like it's cold weather just now so I don't know what could be causing this misting.

 

[Seatmann]

Make sure the heater is set on fresh air and not recirculated, it might just be a build up of damp from that maybe.

 

[nicola]

Make sure the heater is set on fresh air and not recirculated, it might just be a build up of damp from that maybe.

Oh ok, what do I press to do that? There's a funny arrow button, is that the recirculate button? It's not lit up anyway, so does that mean it's on fresh air already?

 

[Seatmann]

Not sure on the Mk4 but it's normaly a back to front c shape with an arrow head type symbol. The other thing you could try is having the heating turned up high and pointing at the feet then open the windows a bit when driving to help dry the interior out. it could just be damp from people not having the windows open and the condensation has built up. I think it's the downside of A/C on newer cars.

 

[nicola]

Thanks for the advice. OK I'll have the window down and try that for a while whilst driving. I can't have the heating pointing at my feet because there's no heat until about 5mins of driving and the windscreen is too steamed up to see to drive.

 

[UncleFester]

Get the pollen filter changed and clean the glass on the inside properly

 

[nicola]

Get the pollen filter changed and clean the glass on the inside properly

Ok, do I need to get a garage to change the pollen filter? Is it expensive?

Do you mean just give the glass a wee clean with some windolene or something?

 

[UncleFester]

Aye windowlene will do fine - just make sure you clean it all off properly. Pollen filter is easy enough to change on the Leon - not sure about the Ibiza.

Does the aircon smell funny when you use it?

 

[nicola]

well the car smells of wee a bit when I get in! I don't know if that's the aircon though, cos it's not on when I get in.

 

[UncleFester]

I'd say your pollen filter could do with changing - they get dirty over time, mould etc and your car pulls all the cabin air through that.

Part is usually about £15 and it's not usually more than a 10 minute job to change it

 

[Seatmann]

And get some incontinence pants lol

 

[GlanzaV]

Aye windowlene will do fine - just make sure you clean it all off properly. Pollen filter is easy enough to change on the Leon - not sure about the Ibiza.

Does the aircon smell funny when you use it?

It's easy but you'll need a torx driver to get at it. It's in the passenger footwell.

 

[secret.squirrel]

Just an idea, on my old car the water channel past the wheel arch leading from the heater intake got badly clogged at one stage (result of living on a farm) meant that water built up in the heater before the fans. Used to get masses of steam up whenever I put the heater on. Not good in the winter... Took me ages to figure it out, but when I found the blockage and cleared it, water/mud/plantlife everywhere, went for a couple of drives with heaters on full blast and windows open, it cleared itself up. Not saying yours will have gotten anywhere near that stage, but if there is something hindering water run away, it could be causing a little bit to run back into the heater matrix causing your steam up problem.

Squirrel.

 

[ScottHmk4]

Does anyone else have this problem? I just bought a 54 plate Seat ibiza 1.2 at the weekend. A couple of things aren't quite right - one is the windscreen wipers make a hell of a noise and the other is the windows steam up as soon as I get in! I mean it's not like it's cold weather just now so I don't know what could be causing this misting.

you must just be hot stuff

 

[rf860]

you must just be hot stuff

Lol, how cheesy of you scott!

Back on topic, i had the same problem and it turned out that one of the bungs from the floor was damaged. Push down on the carpet in each footwell, if you feel dampness or water that'll probably be your problem.

 

[andycupra]

its likely that he pollen filter is wet. not uncommon if its not been correctly covered or watrer drain holes in the scuttle panel area are blocked.

fyi The interior fan draws air in from outside under the bonnet near the windscreen and the pollen filter can be found there. Its stops leaves, crap and all manner of things being sucked into the car when you turn your fans on.
Not many people appreciate that water that flows down the windscreen runs under the bonnet and drains via drain holes inside the wings / near the end of the scuttle panel. This can get blocked by leaves or the like which can lead to the pollen filter (which is located nearby) getting soaked. (or as above due it being fitted incorrectly).

If the pollen filter is wet then as soon as you turn on the ignition air is drawn through the pollen filter and as a result damp/wet air is blown onto the windows, and due to the glass being cold and dew point temperatures (basically as air reduces in temperature so does its ability to hold moisture) the moisture in the air condenses on the surface of the glass.
Much the same as when you breath onto glass in the winter.

 

[ScottHmk4]

Lol, how cheesy of you scott!

Back on topic, i had the same problem and it turned out that one of the bungs from the floor was damaged. Push down on the carpet in each footwell, if you feel dampness or water that'll probably be your problem.

Deliberate cheesiness though which is ok .

 

[Martin_FR]

Also iv saw in halfords a bottle of stuff to wipe onto the windows to prevent them misting but not sure how effective it is.
And isnt shaving foam supposed to stop bathroom mirrors steaming up, could be worth a try?

 

[secret.squirrel]

Also iv saw in halfords a bottle of stuff to wipe onto the windows to prevent them misting but not sure how effective it is.
And isnt shaving foam supposed to stop bathroom mirrors steaming up, could be worth a try?

I thought shaving foam was for shaving...?

Squirrel.

 

[knight85]

stop breathing helps