Condensation - any advice please?

[TDE1]

Hi all

Over the last week or two I've been getting fairly heavy overnight condensation in my '05 E Class, towards the rear. Have had nothing damp in the car, its gets a run every day, and neither my BM nor Mrs TDE1's corsa gets it during the same weather, so doubt it's atmospherics.

There are no obvious leaks, and it may be normal, but didn't expect it on such a well insulated car.

Could I be missing something, or is it just another quirk?

(Sorry, its a boring question, I know!!)

Any suggestions v gratefully received.

 

[Rob77]

Doesn't the aircon clear it?

 

[whitenemesis]

Do you have the a/c on all the time? This helps dry the incoming air. Don't forget the car is relatively warm and without the a/c on will hold a significant level of moisture in the air. This has to condense as the car cools overnight.

 

[Rory]

Took my car out yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks. Didn't have the a/c on in cold, dry weather and the car stayed clear. Left it outside my Mum's and went back to it after about an hour and all of the windows had heavy condensation inside - even with the engine still being fairly warm and turning the a/c on (which might not have worked due to low temp) it was good few minutes before it cleared enough to be able to drive.

Really annoys my wife as she just likes to get in the car and go - she can't be done with hanging around!

 

[BlackC55]

Use the AC all the time is my advice.

 

[TDE1]

Thanks fellas. I rarely use aircon - had no idea it had such a effect. Stupid of me, as have it in the office and it even dries my contact lenses out! Shall keep it on and hopefully will be sorted.

Thanks again

 

[John]

I use mine all the time and have noticed no difference in fuel economy.

I guess the percentage oomph the compressor uses from the engine is bugger all.

I also get no condensation...

 

[Dieselman]

A car that isn't leaking water in and has decent throughput of air via the ventilation system doesn't need the AC running to dry it out.

Check for water leaks, the air intake isn't blocked with wet leaves, the engine is getting up to temperature and the cabin filter isn't blocked.

 

[whitenemesis]

It's not so much while the car is in motion that condensation is a problem but when the warm interior cools down the moisture has to condense out. And what about damp clothing on passengers getting in?

It is just so much better to have the a/c running and there are no downsides. Unless you have contact lenses, when the dry air can cause discomfort.

 

[Rory]

It's not so much while the car is in motion that condensation is a problem but when the warm interior cools down the moisture has to condense out. And what about damp clothing on passengers getting in?

It must be simply the residual humidity in the interior, because my car isn't damp inside. I was just amazed at how wet the windows were after an hour after leaving the car.

It is just so much better to have the a/c running and there are no downsides. Unless you have contact lenses, when the dry air can cause discomfort.

I stopped using it when not necessary because of contact lenses, although I don't wear them any more. The problem I have is this cold weather thing where the a/c doesn't work anyway. I think that's why mine was slow to demist yesterday. Went to Costco in wifey's Jazz today and that steamed up on starting - switched the a/c on and it cleared almost instantly. But that was at 8C.

 

[spanner]

Listen to Dieselman. You should not have so much condensation in the car and it is highly likely that your rainwater drains are blocked and the rainwater is pooling until it overflows in the through the ventilation intake duct. It is not uncommon for blower motors and regulators to be damgaed by this event.
Why have you posted this in the Mercedes specialists section?

 

[John]

...and have you cleaned your teeth and put clean pyjamas on?

 

[TDE1]

Listen to Dieselman. You should not have so much condensation in the car and it is highly likely that your rainwater drains are blocked and the rainwater is pooling until it overflows in the through the ventilation intake duct. It is not uncommon for blower motors and regulators to be damgaed by this event.
Why have you posted this in the Mercedes specialists section?

Had a good poke around, removed what grot I could see and ran with aircon on and its done the trick. Thanks to all who replied.

(Sorry if I posted in the wrong section, Spanner. It's a Mercedes, and was after advice - still getting used to forums. Was meant to be a general question, but it went where it went!).

Cheers again.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Was meant to be a general question, but it went where it went!

Brilliant answer.

I've been on the forum 16 months and even I'm not always too sure where things are meant to go....

 

[reggie musson]

Try and check under the carpets as it could be a perished door liner (behind the door card) which has happened to me on a few of my previous cars, and if you do find moisture in one of the footwells it could well be that door is letting water in.Then it means removing the door card and repairing the liner with duct tape.

 

[TDE1]

Cheers reggie. Carpets all dry, and since I've run it with aircon it's been perfect. Did occur to me that i recently had to have it jetwashed twice in a week (new car parking spot, under a berry tree, now resolved!!), and we had pretty heavy downpours too.

Car's still quite new to me so maybe it's a learning curve

Thanks again, will refer back to yours if it happens again.