Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: mijfife on 15 November 2006, 20:29:32

Title: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: mijfife on 15 November 2006, 20:29:32
Am I alone in having real problems with my windscreen steaming up on the GLS estate? Today it was so bad in the rain that the car was verging on being dangerous to drive! There were only 2 of us in it, the climate control was set upwards to the 'screen only on full fan and irrespective of whether I had it hot or cold, the top half to 2/3rds of the window was steamed up constantly  >:(
So far, I've cleaned the vent hole in the air intake chamber, replaced the pollen filter (tried running without too) and did the servo reset with the buttons on the climate control panel. I don't have the aircon regassed so running on eco. The carpets are bone dry and there's no smell of damp in the car so it's not a leak.
Surely it shouldn't be this bad? Hell, my 1960's Imp clears the screen better!!

Any ideas and is anyone else having the same sort of problem?

Cheers Jim
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 15 November 2006, 20:32:14
No, even with a/c off, my screen clears quickly if not too wet inside...
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Del Boy on 15 November 2006, 20:33:48
Really dosen't sound right m8 try just setting it onto screen only  :-?

**EDIT** sorry m8 just read your post properly :-[
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Bo Bo on 15 November 2006, 20:40:08
Mine clears quick enough, have you tried without using ECO? I never use mine whether it's been gassed or not.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 15 November 2006, 20:41:54
Less 'heavy petting' may help as well  ;D
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Timbuk on 15 November 2006, 20:45:48
Mine clears as i would expect it too,pretty quick to be fair. Have you tried removing the bowl of hot steaming water you left on top of the dash ::)
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: mijfife on 15 November 2006, 20:47:42
Heavy petting!!!! I'm damn near holding my breath everytime I go out in the bloody thing  ;D

I assume that I can't use the windscreen clear button (similar symbol to the rear demister) as I don't have working aircon? I also can't use the auto button for the same reason so this just leaves me with eco setting or am I missing something?

Cheers Jim
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: mijfife on 15 November 2006, 20:48:41
Quote
Mine clears as i would expect it too,pretty quick to be fair. Have you tried removing the bowl of hot steaming water you left on top of the dash ::)

so where do you suggest I keep the gold fish then  ;)
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: STMO123 on 15 November 2006, 20:49:54
This seems to be quite a common problem. If I wait until the engine warms up and the use the climate on 'AUTO' mine steams up and is really difficult to clear.
To get around this I only ever use the windscreen demister, this way it never gets a chance to steam up and the car still feels very warm.
I know this is not the way it is supposed to work but, to be honest, I find the climate control over-complicated and only use its basic functions
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Timbuk on 15 November 2006, 20:50:24
Quote
Quote
Mine clears as i would expect it too,pretty quick to be fair. Have you tried removing the bowl of hot steaming water you left on top of the dash ::)

so where do you suggest I keep the gold fish then  ;)


Good point :-?
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 15 November 2006, 20:58:21
Quote
I assume that I can't use the windscreen clear button (similar symbol to the rear demister) as I don't have working aircon?
Yes, use that button - it will direct warm air up screen, and blat fan on full...
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Chopsdad on 15 November 2006, 20:59:25
Mine steams up dependant on the cold/damp weather - no leaks - no passengers - only my CO2.

Worse since I cleaned the windows with 'Screenies' glass wipes. :-/  
Try brown paper and vinegar - my dad swears by it for streak free finish.

Last year I left a damp remover thingy normally used in caravans - £3 from Woolies - fit perfectly under the passenger seat & needed emptying once a month - now just leave air con on 24/7.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: septiccow on 15 November 2006, 21:41:55
mines doing it too, does eventually clear but, it seems to leave a damp patch over at the passenger side.  no idea why

cheers
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: mijfife on 15 November 2006, 21:43:35
Oh well, nice to know I'm not alone with this problem  ::)

Cheers Jim
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 15 November 2006, 21:45:34
May just have a load of dampness in car. If you have a dehumidifyer, stick that in overnight...
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Markie on 15 November 2006, 22:00:20
it was sitting a wee while Jim wasnt it before you got it?, maybe a wee bit damp as Jamie says.... :-/
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: ianrobbo on 15 November 2006, 22:16:16
Don't know if it's relevant, but we used to have an Astra estate which steamed up really badly in the rain. I found the the nuts holding the windcreen wiper spindles where they come through the body were loose, I took them off, used a bit of silicon sealer on the outside of the spindles, put the nuts back on and it cured it completely.

Obviously the rain was getting in through there, more so when it actually was raining as the wipers would be on and wobbling about as the nuts were loose.

Might be completely different on the Omega but  10 mins work for me fixed a winter full of dangerously misted screens.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 15 November 2006, 22:20:30
Quote
Don't know if it's relevant, but we used to have an Astra estate which steamed up really badly in the rain. I found the the nuts holding the windcreen wiper spindles where they come through the body were loose, I took them off, used a bit of silicon sealer on the outside of the spindles, put the nuts back on and it cured it completely.

Obviously the rain was getting in through there, more so when it actually was raining as the wipers would be on and wobbling about as the nuts were loose.

Might be completely different on the Omega but  10 mins work for me fixed a winter full of dangerously misted screens.
If they did leak, water would only seep into engine bay....
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Chopsdad on 15 November 2006, 22:26:35
Ianrobbo got me thinking.... bottom of windscreen on passenger side the rubber appears to have shrunk and exposed a 5mm gap at the very corner of the glass.

This is full of wet black muck - could this be a source of water ingress or is it sealed below the glass?????
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Matchless on 15 November 2006, 23:08:36
I suppose it could be just very damp carpets etc from sitting unused. Windscreen should be glued in all round so dont normally have a problem with leakage.
Is there any sign of a streaky film or rainbow effects on front or rear screens? This would indicate antifreeze leaking in heater and being blown ontp screen. I had an estate that did this, turned out to be leaking from the flange where pipes bolt to heater matrix and soaking into the foam etc around the heater. Bit fiddly to change the o rings but it fixed it.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: mijfife on 16 November 2006, 12:26:59
Hi, thanks for the suggestions so far. I dont think it's dampness as the carpets feel bone dry, I've also done a couple of thousand miles since it went back on the road and there's no musty smell in the car.

If it was a coolant leak into the air side, would it not steam up all the time? I don't have any problems on dry(ish) days when I've got the heater on to warm the car up. No loss of coolant either.

Maybe I should just take the windscreen out and put my crash helmet on  ;D

Cheers Jim (only one post away from my next star  :))
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: STMO123 on 16 November 2006, 12:48:17
Quote
Ianrobbo got me thinking.... bottom of windscreen on passenger side the rubber appears to have shrunk and exposed a 5mm gap at the very corner of the glass.

This is full of wet black muck - could this be a source of water ingress or is it sealed below the glass?????

From your description of where the windsreen rubber has perished, it sounds as if this could be right above the pollen filter.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: bob.dent on 16 November 2006, 13:03:52
Quote
Am I alone in having real problems with my windscreen steaming up on the GLS estate? Today it was so bad in the rain that the car was verging on being dangerous to drive! There were only 2 of us in it, the climate control was set upwards to the 'screen only on full fan and irrespective of whether I had it hot or cold, the top half to 2/3rds of the window was steamed up constantly  >:(
So far, I've cleaned the vent hole in the air intake chamber, replaced the pollen filter (tried running without too) and did the servo reset with the buttons on the climate control panel. I don't have the aircon regassed so running on eco. The carpets are bone dry and there's no smell of damp in the car so it's not a leak.
Surely it shouldn't be this bad? Hell, my 1960's Imp clears the screen better!!

Any ideas and is anyone else having the same sort of problem?

Cheers Jim

Have you got your air re-circulation button switched on when this happens? That would cause your windows to steam up eventually no matter what heater setting you're using.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: mijfife on 16 November 2006, 15:32:44
Hi Bob,
          I've tried with it on and off just to see if it makes any difference! Usually run with it off though.

Cheers Jim
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Boiler Man on 16 November 2006, 17:07:53
A daft question I know, but have you checked the air is actually coming out of the screen vents only, at full fan and the the heat is turned up and working?

Also have you checked there is no buld up of water in the scuttle area under the pollen filter?



Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: old cruiser on 16 November 2006, 19:29:20
What state is your pollen filter in, as it could be clogged up, restricting airflow from outside, hence windows steaming up.
Cheers Pete
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: rpont on 16 November 2006, 21:19:40
And while the pollen filter is out check that the recirculation flap behind it does actually open and close. The lever came off the actuator on mine some years ago, it's not fallen off since. You might need a torch but if you can get someone to turn it off and on while the engine is running and you look it's obvious where it is.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Chopsdad on 16 November 2006, 23:04:55
Quote
Quote
Ianrobbo got me thinking.... bottom of windscreen on passenger side the rubber appears to have shrunk and exposed a 5mm gap at the very corner of the glass.

This is full of wet black muck - could this be a source of water ingress or is it sealed below the glass?????

From your description of where the windsreen rubber has perished, it sounds as if this could be right above the pollen filter.

Is that good or bad? :-?
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: BILL0BLU on 17 November 2006, 01:36:48
Hi guys.
Ref steaming up, I suggest you all have a look in the bottom of the of the housing where the pollen filter lives. Make sure that the drain rubber is clear and you don't have a pool of water sat in the bottom. I was having the problem of misting up and I found I had about 4ins of water in the bottom of this housing, after unclogging the drain rubber and getting rid of the water my misting up problem has gone away.
A word of warning, if there is water in this housing and you're going to poke around with some thing like a long screw driver be aware there is a piece of wiring loom that may be under the water.
I hope this is of some help to some body
cheers  Bill
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Martin_1962 on 17 November 2006, 21:44:57
Sorry but got to say this - air con will act as a dehumidifier and keep the car dry inside
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Gwilym on 17 November 2006, 23:02:03
Quote
Quote
Mine clears as i would expect it too,pretty quick to be fair. Have you tried removing the bowl of hot steaming water you left on top of the dash ::)

so where do you suggest I keep the gold fish then  ;)

You keep a fish in hot water?
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 18 November 2006, 12:38:58
As a test yetserday - as it was really pissing down - I got in car, I was pretty soaked, so humidity in car quite high.  I switched A/C off (ECO on) before starting. Car misted up straight away as expected.  Started up, pressed the button to direct air up windscreen, and it cleared within 20 - 30s (engine was hot).   Hope that helps give some idea of how a well maintained car should demist even if A/C knackered...
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Andy B on 18 November 2006, 13:01:44
Quote
........   Hope that helps give some idea of how a well maintained car should demist even if A/C knackered...
So .... whose car did you use as the test car then?  ::)  ;)
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 18 November 2006, 13:12:26
Quote
Quote
........   Hope that helps give some idea of how a well maintained car should demist even if A/C knackered...
So .... whose car did you use as the test car then?  ::)  ;)
LOL

Now where is that 'ban user' button.... ;)
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Andy B on 18 November 2006, 13:39:27
Quote
Quote
Quote
........   Hope that helps give some idea of how a well maintained car should demist even if A/C knackered...
So .... whose car did you use as the test car then?  ::)  ;)
LOL

Now where is that 'ban user' button.... ;)

 ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D ;)
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: sir moanalot on 22 November 2006, 17:27:26
Hi, took my 2.5 gls out for the first time in the rain and yep can honestly say had the same as you. had the demisters on redders fully but still only done the bottom third of the screen! being a bit lazy but did you resolve it? let me know, ill have a look in the replies later. cheers tone  the fellow blind driver.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 22 November 2006, 17:37:01
Can you try something for me......is it better if you open a window about 10mm....?
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: mijfife on 22 November 2006, 18:40:46
Haven't really resolved it fully but resyncronising the servos helped and it's bearable now  ::) Driving with the front window down a bit definitly helps too but you get wet when it rains  :P

Cheers Jim
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Markie on 22 November 2006, 18:46:07
rain?...here? in Scotland ?.... :-/ ;)
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 22 November 2006, 18:50:57
Quote
Haven't really resolved it fully but resyncronising the servos helped and it's bearable now  ::) Driving with the front window down a bit definitly helps too but you get wet when it rains  :P

Cheers Jim
Try and drive around with sunroof on tilt when you're moving (or windows slightly open) - this may help draw some of the moisture out.  I suspect you just have a look of moisture in car.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Richard A on 22 November 2006, 20:02:28
" running on eco" is the problem, I have had 5 omega's over the past 10 years and covered over 200k, in the UK, France and Spain, the aircon system on the Omega is designed to be working for 90% of the time, as well as controling the temp it also takes the dampness out of the air before it enters the cabin. To run on "eco" in damp weather you need to have driven the car in dry conditions for a couple of hours to really dry the "eco" air ways.
Please try this.
best regards,
richard
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 22 November 2006, 20:08:39
Quote
" running on eco" is the problem, I have had 5 omega's over the past 10 years and covered over 200k, in the UK, France and Spain, the aircon system on the Omega is designed to be working for 90% of the time, as well as controling the temp it also takes the dampness out of the air before it enters the cabin. To run on "eco" in damp weather you need to have driven the car in dry conditions for a couple of hours to really dry the "eco" air ways.
Please try this.
best regards,
richard
Any A/C will act as a dehumidifyer.  However, I think this is not the cause.

As an experiment, since this thread started, I've had my ECO On (A/C Off).  I am not seeing these problems.  I think the issue is just there is a high moisture content in the car.  Yes, A/C will help overcome this, but as A/C appears to be broken in these cases, other methods to reduce the humnidity in the car is required:

Stick a dehumidifyer in overnight
Try to dry car with good ventilation (ie sunroof tilted or windows slightly open)
Dessicant packs

These should help reduce humidity in the car, and therefore reduce the problem.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 22 November 2006, 20:25:08
So, how much crap do you have in the drivers side boot bin by the tail lights.....?
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 22 November 2006, 20:28:56
Quote
So, how much crap do you have in the drivers side boot bin by the tail lights.....?
;)
You need a lot of crap to block it.  I have CD changer, cargo net, inverter, 1st aid kit, and other junk in their, and still allows ventilation....   ....though I guess things like bags or rags could easily stop it...
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: mijfife on 22 November 2006, 20:34:45
Can I borrow a tin opener from someone? Slight issue of GLS not having a sun roof  ;D  ;D  ;D

Cheers Jim
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Eliteman Steve on 22 November 2006, 22:41:48
Had an MGB years ago with same problem , turned out to be the heater matrix leaking slightly so on de-mist it blew water vapor all over the front screen , which then condensed on the cold glass :D!!! Driving was prety much guess work :o :o :o!!!!
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Boiler Man on 23 November 2006, 01:15:59
Very Good point, if all else fails, that could be a possible.

never thought of that one. Is it losing coolant?

good thinking Batman

errrr, sorry I mean Eliteman  ;) (sorry seventies thing)

ps. mind you if you drove an MGB you will proberbly remember the seventies ;D
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Eliteman Steve on 23 November 2006, 19:13:52
Quote
Very Good point, if all else fails, that could be a possible.

never thought of that one. Is it losing coolant?

good thinking Batman

errrr, sorry I mean Eliteman  ;) (sorry seventies thing)

ps. mind you if you drove an MGB you will proberbly remember the seventies ;D


Certainly do :y! And I've got the platforms and flares to prove it ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: sir moanalot on 25 November 2006, 16:29:50
hi all, screen clears well when window open slightly or sunroof open on 1st/2nd tilt. when its not bucketing down will certainly check out pollen filter base is not containing a paddling pool.
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 25 November 2006, 16:35:36
Quote
hi all, screen clears well when window open slightly or sunroof open on 1st/2nd tilt. when its not bucketing down will certainly check out pollen filter base is not containing a paddling pool.
Assuming pollen filter not really damp, it may be purely just the amount of dampness it car.  Try ensuring the vent in boot is clear (this will help better airflow through car, and help reduce amount of humidity in car), but also keep opening roof/windows when possible to also assist until it stops doing it...
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 25 November 2006, 18:35:16
Note, the vent in the boot is in the off side rear quarter behind the cover by the rear lights (and hence the earlier comments!)
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: STMO123 on 25 November 2006, 18:50:40
Quote
So, how much crap do you have in the drivers side boot bin by the tail lights.....?

Eye-opener! Penny drops! Doh!
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: mijfife on 25 November 2006, 21:06:39
Does the estate have any vents at the back and if so, where are they?

Cheers Jim
Title: Re: All Steamed up!!!
Post by: TheBoy on 25 November 2006, 22:17:56
Quote
Does the estate have any vents at the back and if so, where are they?

Cheers Jim
I would guess same area, but do not know for def...   ...it will defo have some vents - all cars do...