Dangerous Visibility Prob with VW Golf

Omega28

Hi,

I have a very bad visibility problem with my 07 Golf, its got worse lately and Its gotten very dangerous, basically, I cant see out my windscreen cause the condensation is so bad from the inside. I have A/C and I have all the settings correct, Iv even changed the pollen filter but this didnt solve the prob. I get into my car after leaving it and the windscreen and two side windows and dripping, I try to clear it and nothing happens.

When I'm driving I have to leave the heater on full blast, use a clean cloth and still the windows will not clear up.

Im tempted to bring it to VW tomorrow and see what they say but has anyone had any issues like this or if someone can tell me what the prob is?

thanks

draward

check de water in your rad sounds like you have a leek in matrix heater

slinky2000

id say you've coolant leaking from your heater somewhere and ending up on your windscreen

Omega28

how would I go about fixing this if it is indeed the coolant leeking?

draward

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

how would I go about fixing this if it is indeed the coolant leeking?

Try radweld:cool:

Stoolbend

I'd say if it was engine coolant you'd smell it.

Are the carpets wet?

Older golfs suffered water leaks in the doors and around the pollen filter housing. Not sure about the '07 model though.

slinky2000

wipe the window with white kitchen paper, is the colour of the liquid the same tint as the coolant in your car?

if it is you can either bring it into a garage and get them to fix it. Probably many many hours of labour though.

I would start taking apart my dash panels to get access to behind the radio/heater dials etc and see if I could find a leak anywhere.

Omega28

no carpets are fine!

I dunno what the prob is, I dont really wanna bring it to VW tomorrow cause they'll charge me an arm n leg but at the same time the problem is so bad and I'm no mechanic so Im caught!

Omega28

slinky2000 wrote: »

wipe the window with white kitchen paper, is the colour of the liquid the same tint as the coolant in your car?

if it is you can either bring it into a garage and get them to fix it. Probably many many hours of labour though.

I would start taking apart my dash panels to get access to behind the radio/heater dials etc and see if I could find a leak anywhere.

As I said Im no expert on cars and dont fancy pulling the car apart, Id make a mess of it. Would this type of thing be covered in the cars warranty?

slinky2000

Just seen there it's an 07. Is is still under warrenty? It it is still under then I would say this is covered, it defo shouldn't be a wear-tear item.

Even if it's not the heater leaking coolant, There seems to be a leak somewhere and I would say it's defo covered by warrenty

draward

pm sent

Stoolbend

Even if the boot was wet there'd be condensation in the car.

It'd be very unlikely for a heater matrix in a '07 car to fail.

Omega28

slinky2000 wrote: »

Just seen there it's an 07. Is is still under warrenty? It it is still under then I would say this is covered, it defo shouldn't be a wear-tear item.

Even if it's not the heater leaking coolant, There seems to be a leak somewhere and I would say it's defo covered by warrenty

Its 3rd yr is this may so I'll get it back tomorrow.
I noticed the problem only a few weeks back but the last 2/3 weeks its gotten too dangerous!

JHMEG

draward wrote: »

check de water in your rad sounds like you have a leek in matrix heater

Could be very serious if you have one of these growing in your matrix heater (does that heat the matrix?)

draward

JHMEG wrote: »

Could be very serious if you have one of these growing in your matrix heater (does that heat the matrix?)

yes indeed:cool:

slinky2000

facepalm.jpg

squod

Just googled [ golf widscreen condensation ] a half hour ago, still reading.....................

Omega28

the two side windows also have the same prob dunno if that helps!

slinky2000

whatever it is there is way too much moisture in the car! It's either a water (rain) leak or coolant leak.

See what colour it is and that'll narrow it down alot! Even smell it to see if its rain water or coolant

Omega28

slinky2000 wrote: »

whatever it is there is way too much moisture in the car! It's either a water (rain) leak or coolant leak.

See what colour it is and that'll narrow it down alot! Even smell it to see if its rain water or coolant

When feeling it today it just felt like rain! didnt smell or anythin

slinky2000

Did you wipe it with a white cloth? it'll show you if there's a blue tint to the liquid.

If it's just plain water than there is a leak from outside letting rain water in. Could be a seal broken or drain blocked. It's detective work from her eon in I'm afraid!

Mr Benevolent

Does the car have a sunroof? Either water drains are blocked up or there's a leak somewhere. Unlikely to be heater matrix failure.

Omega28

Lookin at the tissue now, its just like rain, I took a sample from the windscreen and the sidewindows and they were both the same, no smell or tint

Omega28

Confab wrote: »

Does the car have a sunroof? Either water drains are blocked up or there's a leak somewhere. Unlikely to be heater matrix failure.

the car doesnt have a sunroof.

What is a heater matrix?

slinky2000

cool, sounds like a simple leak. Sunroof drains, door/window seals are the first port of call!

slinky2000

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

the car doesnt have a sunroof.

What is a heater matrix?

its behind the dash, it take the hot coolant from the engine and converts it to hot air

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071114022131AAyNXzP

Omega28

slinky2000 wrote: »

cool, sounds like a simple leak. Sunroof drains, door/window seals are the first port of call!

so what should I do first?

slinky2000

Well thats up to you, try and find where it's coming from, lift carpets, check behind door cards, under seats, under dash etc, pull seals up around doors to see if there wet in the inside of the car etc

Omega28

slinky2000 wrote: »

Well thats up to you, try and find where it's coming from, lift carpets, check behind door cards, under seats, under dash etc, pull seals up around doors to see if there wet in the inside of the car etc

what I did notice is that the back window is perfect, not a spec of water on it.

Mr Benevolent

Ok, that's heater matrix failure and a blocked sunroof drain ruled out. Next thing is to check all the carpet (front and back under the mats) for any sign of dampness. After that I'd take another look at the pollen filter. Take it out and look inside the housing for leaves and crud. Clean it out if there's anything there.

Also, I'd get a mirror or something glass and hold it up to the air vents on hot and cold. If you see any condensation on the glass then the problem is not in the cabin.

Omega28

Confab wrote: »

Ok, that's heater matrix failure and a blocked sunroof drain ruled out. Next thing is to check all the carpet (front and back under the mats) for any sign of dampness. After that I'd take another look at the pollen filter. Take it out and look inside the housing for leaves and crud. Clean it out if there's anything there.

Also, I'd get a mirror or something glass and hold it up to the air vents on hot and cold. If you see any condensation on the glass then the problem is not in the cabin.

I just put a brand new pollen filter in this week, nothing happened, prob remained

regarding dampness etc the car doesnt feel damp.

If I left my car in a car park and came back in say half n hr, my windows would be dripping in water, pure water. Id try to clear it but it doesnt go, it kinda sticks to them leaving a sort of smudge look

Mr Benevolent

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

I just put a brand new pollen filter in this week, nothing happened, prob remained

regarding dampness etc the car doesnt feel damp.

If I left my car in a car park and came back in say half n hr, my windows would be dripping in water, pure water. Id try to clear it but it doesnt go, it kinda sticks to them leaving a sort of smudge look

The water won't clear and leaves smudges. Hmmm. Try the mirror idea I mentioned above. I'm betting you'll see condensation.

slinky2000

If it is your heater, try and clean out all the condensation and air out your car, drive it about for a few days without using the heaters and see what happens.

Omega28

Confab wrote: »

The water won't clear and leaves smudges. Hmmm. Try the mirror idea I mentioned above. I'm betting you'll see condensation.

Im going to have to check it in the morning!

Will I bring it to the dealer or do u think its somethin minor?

Mr Benevolent

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

Im going to have to check it in the morning!

Will I bring it to the dealer or do u think its somethin minor?

You can find the problem if you have enough patience. If the car is under warranty it's best to bring it to the dealer, but if not it might be expensive as it takes time to find leaks. The fact that you said the water leaves smudgy marks when you wipe it off makes me suspicious - the water would have to be contaminated for that to happen, and if there's no damp spots in the cabin and you haven't spilled anything then I'm not sure what the cause might be. You might want to check the coolant level too to be sure.

Tails142

Did you try NOT using the Air-Con - I know it clears windows brilliantly, but sometimes when you switch it off and warm moist air hits the cold glass it can cause condensation.

Did you get the car valeted? They often totally soak the carpets if they're shampooing/cleaning and then vacuum it off, moisture could be trapped in your car seats/carpets even if they dont feel wet.

I recommend leaving your window open a crack overnight (if its safe and out of sight) to try and let the moisture out of your car and dry it out.

Omega28

Tails142 wrote: »

Did you try NOT using the Air-Con - I know it clears windows brilliantly, but sometimes when you switch it off and warm moist air hits the cold glass it can cause condensation.

Did you get the car valeted? They often totally soak the carpets if they're shampooing/cleaning and then vacuum it off, moisture could be trapped in your car seats/carpets even if they dont feel wet.

I recommend leaving your window open a crack overnight (if its safe and out of sight) to try and let the moisture out of your car and dry it out.

I never really use the Air-Con, very odd time

I never get the car valeted either.

good idea about leaving the window slightly open though. I think ill try that

RoundyMooney

If it does turn out to be pure water, talc on the door seals, followed by a good power wash, and letting the car dry (reasonably-you might be on a forecourt), will show up any leaks from there.

You wouldn't expect such problems on a newish car like that, though.

Omega28

Woke up this morning and got into my car, the windows were dripping again, in fact its getting so bad the water is running down the windscreen onto the dashboard so just going to bring to a mate who is a mechanic and see what he thinks then I might be bringing it to VW, hopefully the warranty will cover it if its anything serious!