residue on window interiors

slowburner

I have an old ('93) Hilux Surf. Recently, the interior of the windows have started to fog up but it's not water vapour it's some kind of residue that's hard to clean off. It has the kind of sheen you get off oil but it seems to be dry- almost dusty. It returns not long after it's been cleaned.
Any ideas anyone?

colm_mcm

Long shot but you're not losing coolant are you?

slowburner

No, I don't think I'm losing coolant any more than usual for a vehicle with 250K kms on it. At least here's no sign of any "trail" of coolant through the engine compartment or any obvious leaks.
It also seems to only be on the glass - not on the vinyl or dashboard or any other hard surface.

Hagar

Perhaps something on the rubber on the inside at the bottom of the glass?
Does it reappear after the window is lowered then raised?

bmw535d

try using some degreaser or window cleaner

then seal the window with some glass polish stuff from autoglym.

giant_midget

a cup of hot water with some white vinegar will clear it all up for good, seen this on "how clean is your house" lol:D

slowburner

Thanks for the suggestions. I've cleaned them many times - that Auto Glym glass cleaner is great stuff. I've yet to try vinegar and hot water. The problem is not really how to clean them: it's what is the cause. I dread to think what the health implications would be if some fluid was getting vapourised and distributed through the cabin.
The problem came on suddenly, so i think this would rule out the window seals.

Mr Benevolent

slowburner wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions. I've cleaned them many times - that Auto Glym glass cleaner is great stuff. I've yet to try vinegar and hot water. The problem is not really how to clean them: it's what is the cause. I dread to think what the health implications would be if some fluid was getting vapourised and distributed through the cabin.
The problem came on suddenly, so i think this would rule out the window seals.

Heater matrix leak?

slowburner

Forgive my ignorance. What is a heater matrix and how do I get at it?

bmw535d

a heater matrix is like a mini radiator like the one that cools the engine up front,

its usually located deep in the dash so it looks like you will have to remove the dash to inspect it,,it could have bust during the frost we had this winter,did notice when the problem started?

id suggest checking your coolant levels if it seems atall low then it is a good guess that its the heater matrix

slowburner

Thanks bmw535d.
The problem started about three weeks ago. Coolant levels don't seem to be too bad - levels do drop over time but not suddenly or a lot - it's a very old machine!
Looks like I'll have to get the screwdriver out. It's a Jap import - it's not going to be much fun getting to the heater matrix.
I've got a feeling this might put me on the right track though.

slowburner

And thanks Confab for the pointer

slowburner

Some days later................
Turned out to be a poor repair to the turbo hose which had melted! Stuck in a new rad and hoses - all's well now.
Thanks for replies.