front window keeps steaming up

**vectragsi3.2** · 12th September 2010, 20:16

hi all just recently my window will steam up out of the blue for no reason??? and when i put the blowers on it smells really bad like damp and takes an age to de mist?? ive changed the pollen filter and dont know what else to do its that bad im considering getting rid of the car as i have to have the blowers on hot constantly and its driving me mad

**ed taylor** · 12th September 2010, 20:18

Do you use the air con. I don,t switch mine off. Are the carpets dry the damp and the "condensation" might be due to a leak, like rain getting in and dampening the carpets.

**soulman** · 12th September 2010, 20:18

have you got the fast demist screen??? if so put the aircon on while activating this and it will demist them a lot quicker .theres also a thread about a sachet you can use to get rid of the aircon pong.

**vectragsi3.2** · 12th September 2010, 20:29

i have put the air con on but dont put it on that often to save a bit of fuel!! i have got the fast demist screen and done that while it does clear i never experienced how often it does mist up on my old vectra and the stink from the vents only occurs when the car is warm and thats when the window seems to mist up also making me think there is some damp somewhere

**Dazzy2006** · 12th September 2010, 20:49

Might be worth changing your pollen filter as i suspect it will be damp

**john_k_sri** · 12th September 2010, 20:50

Looks like your air-con is well and truly contaminated with bacteria. Really is a false economy not to use the aircon regularly, whatever the weather. The dampness you suspect only makes it worse.

Aircon actually works as a dehumidifier, which is just as important as its cooling effect in hot weather.

Get rid of the damp, sanitize your aircon and you'll be ok.

Took me a while to work out how to make the best all-round all-year use of aircon.

In the pre-aircon days, I used to open the sunroof, even in winter, to freshen up the cabin.

**vectragsi3.2** · 12th September 2010, 21:13

i have changed the pollen filter about 2 weeks ago and didnt make a scrap of difference!!

john how do i sort the aircon out then if its contaminated? my other vec never had this problem and i hardly used the aircon then?

**Big Sig** · 12th September 2010, 21:20

Pop the pollen filter out and you will see the fan. Start the car with the AC on and lightly spray some dettol anti back surface cleaner in there - not too much that you swamp the motor.

Either that or buy a comma ac cleaner spray thats a bit like a bug bomb.

**john_k_sri** · 12th September 2010, 21:31

Originally Posted by vectragsi3.2

i have changed the pollen filter about 2 weeks ago and didnt make a scrap of difference!!

john how do i sort the aircon out then if its contaminated? my other vec never had this problem and i hardly used the aircon then?

Not exactly sure, but there have been threads on here about aircon cleaners, available from places like Halfords and that dealers can do a 'freshen up'.

Seems the damp wherever it's coming from is the root cause though, and presumably introducing 'smelly' bacteria into your aircon, and that must be sorted first of all.

Have you checked your footwells for damp under the mats? As said, if your drain scuttle has been blocked that will cause the kind of problem you have.

Sorry can't be more helpful, maybe someone on here can be.

Edit: Check if the top of the heater fan (behind the pollen filter) is rusty above the vanes - that will suggest water ingress into the cabin if the drain below the pollen filter is/has been blocked.

**vectragsi3.2** · 3rd October 2010, 18:34

just a follow up all my windows now steam up the instant i get in the car but ive also noticed the temp gauge never reaches 90 like it used to it was on 70 earlier but the blowers were red hot???? but when i put the temp down on the blowers the temp gauge goes up???? could it be that the thermostats gone???