too much condensation

MiroE36 · 01-07-2009, 12:50 PM

Hey guys,

I need help... well atleast I think I do.

I've owned a 1988 gti prior to my bmw and have driven 3 cars that my mom has owned prior to me having my own car. Bunch of Fords.

Anyway... my bmw, so far since I've had it, has maddly fogged up windows... My windows always fog up, they fogged up back in October when I got the car and are still doing so to present. This morning I was driving and I saw another E36 and his windows were just like mine LOL... anyway, there is just too much fog, and the only way I can get rid of it is by putting the heater on to atleast 2, and even then, the back half of my car is still totally fogged up to the point where I cannot see my blindspots. And if I put it on 1, then all the windows fog up, at 0 its the same. At 3 or 4 it's just tooo bloody hot and I can't stand it.

Is this supposed to be that way??? The GTI and the Fords never had this problem, those car's never fogged up. Or if they did it was like once every blue moon, and even then, the heater at 1 would clear up the car nicely.

Seeing that other bmw today made me laugh cuz I figured someone else was feeling my pain, but now i'm worried that this is how it is... Help??

Can I do something to prevent it??

prince1 · 01-07-2009, 01:03 PM

use the de fogger
mine dont fog up
well a little but the de fogger takes car of it
and keep ur blower on

MiroE36 · 01-07-2009, 01:14 PM

by de fogger do you mean for the wear windshield?? at what setting do you keep your blower at?

Dado 540 · 01-07-2009, 01:21 PM

I think that you might have an issue with the air circulation. Usualy there is an option if you want the car to reuse the cabin air (thats already in the car) or take air from outside. You setting should be set for the car to take air from outside. Pay attention to the weather conditions when you do get condensation, is it raining or realy moisty outside? That's when you are most likely to get condensation, especially if the air is being recirculated from the cabin (interior). I hope this helps.

prince1 · 01-07-2009, 01:28 PM

ya for both
the blower setting which blows the air directly onto the windshield

MiroE36 · 01-07-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dado 540

I think that you might have an issue with the air circulation. Usualy there is an option if you want the car to reuse the cabin air (thats already in the car) or take air from outside. You setting should be set for the car to take air from outside. Pay attention to the weather conditions when you do get condensation, is it raining or realy moisty outside? That's when you are most likely to get condensation, especially if the air is being recirculated from the cabin (interior). I hope this helps.

It happens no matter what it's like outside, naturally it fogs up more tho during rain. The little circle arrow thing which should mean that air is being circulated in the cabin is always off.

doogee · 01-07-2009, 02:32 PM

Try some Fog-X or any anti-fog treatment. I think they have a bunch of that kind of stuff at CDN Tire

Qube · 01-07-2009, 03:47 PM

Is it water or coolant? Any smells go with it? Perhaps you have a plugged drain somewhere causing excess moisture.

***Gamite*** · 01-07-2009, 03:52 PM

You have too much moisture buildup in your cabin. If you have a garage, leave your windows open for the night, you will notice a significant decrease. I usually leave my windows open in the garage during the summer.

Dado 540 · 01-07-2009, 03:52 PM

+1 Qube. Somethings gotta be restricting the air flow.

I dont know about that Fog-X, im not sure if it leaves a film. I read somewhere that someone used Rain-X on their windshield, and overtime turned into this yellow film. Guy had to replace the windshield.

Damn, every time i leave windows down in my garage, the car gets full of dust.

Harry · 01-07-2009, 06:10 PM

a bad heater core would leave a fog on the windows though the fog is antifreeze and not water. This will not go away without a replacement core and a detailing thereafter. You should see a loss of coolant and the fog should have a slimy texture if it is the case of a bad heater core.

5thseries · 01-07-2009, 06:42 PM

Put your window down and poke your head outside =)

MiroE36 · 01-07-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5thseries

Put your window down and poke your head outside =)

dude that's not even funny, one of the bad snow days, i was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and my wiper blade snapped on the driver side... so I couldn't use the wipers anymore or else it would have been metal on glass contact, so basically drove home with the window down and head out.... i got the weirdest look from a bunch of asians LOL

MiroE36 · 01-07-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry

a bad heater core would leave a fog on the windows though the fog is antifreeze and not water. This will not go away without a replacement core and a detailing thereafter. You should see a loss of coolant and the fog should have a slimy texture if it is the case of a bad heater core.

Ok, the coolant in my car currently is VW/Audi coolant from the dealer, I didn't not put it in, that's how it was when I bought it... but I was told by my mechanic that the coolant they used is ok because its ok for aluminum (i don't know what that means). The color of the coolant is green. The coolant level has not changed over 3 months now that I've had the car... I have always checked the level when the coolant was cold and it was always the same. I also don't have that slimy texture as you mention, and the heat output on high is really hot. Could it still be my heater core??

Outside of that, i'm going to try leaving my window open... would having the sunroof slid slightly open work too??

In either case, come spring time I was gona do some scheduled maintenance to the car ie. Interval 2 and liquid changes. Do you guys think I should also do something else??? I know that my coil pack seems to be dying so that's going to be replaced too. It's an M50 motor btw.

Thank you

5thseries · 01-07-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiroE36

dude that's not even funny, one of the bad snow days, i was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and my wiper blade snapped on the driver side... so I couldn't use the wipers anymore or else it would have been metal on glass contact, so basically drove home with the window down. LOL

Sorry, didnt no that part of it lol, well, hot a cold air creates condensation, check for any kind of air leaks, from the doors, god forbid! a rust hole under the car.. some of those can lead to the fog build up..