foggy windshield revisited

[jiangtao]

i posted here once about what could be causing my windshield to fog up.i got a couple of replies that it was the heater core.well,i am thinking that isn't it after all.now i have noticed that all of my glass gets some kind of buildup on it just a short time after i clean it.it got really bad after i just changed my oil not long ago.is it possible that vapors from the engine are somehow getting inside the car and fogging up my damn glass?i cleaned it today and the towel was kinda black in color.as for the heater core,everytime i turn on the heater nothing fogs up .any ideas would be greatly appreciated.thanks in advance.

 

[vettin1]

With my car, I have noticed recently that when I turn the heater on the air is coming out near my feet as well as up near the glass. I think the air directional switching system is going. This sometimes causes my windshield to fog up but I turn on the defroster and its gone in a few secs. As far as the residue, I was in the car once with a friend and he said when I stopped in somewhere for a sec there was a very small amount of smoke coming through the vents. I had just changed the oil and a little that I spilled was burning off (ooops ) but thats when I noticed that the ventilation system is not as forgiving as other cars.

Keep us updated, interested to know what it turns out to be. Good luck

 

[jiangtao]

I Think I now know what might be causing it.I checked my fuel pressure the other day and it was kinda funny.After I turned the car off it slowly went down and then all of a sudden it dropped like a bat outta hell!!If indeed my injectors are leaking,then it could be gas fumes getting into the compartment sometime and building up {esp when I turn the car off} I do smell gas at idle and when I turn off the car.Who knows??Anyone,anyone???

 

[WhalePirot]

I get the window fogging the worst with a new car or after treating the interior leather and/or vinyl with certain chemicals. Such sounds like your situation, which will ebb over time. Seems the aromatic compounds are evaporating,which is aggravated with higher interior temperatures and being deposited on the windows.


The manual states that the best way to check for a leaking injector is by looking at the plug(s). There is a rather lengthy procedure for testing the fuel system, but from what you said, I see no glaring problems. There is no 'bleed down' specification, that I have found, for testing leaky injectors. Long crank times or run-on upon shutdown can indicate leaks.

The gas smell is another matter. Close inspection of all of the fuel lines and connections is the first step. Such can be a bear to find, without puddles. The smells can travel from anywhere on the car, including the filler area.

 

[Ken]

... my glass gets some kind of buildup on it just a short time after i clean it.

Though the car is pretty old by this time, it's still possible, especially considering where you live, that outgassing is occurring from the vinyl, sealers, adhesives, sound-deadening materials and trim components. As Mike stated, it's also possible the cleaners could cause a build-up. Try ammonia and water, and use newspapers to clean the glass. Something in the newsprint helps prevent streaking.

 

[96Holly]

Any new interior products?

If you have some new interior products this "outgassing" could be accelerated. Some of the more less costly interior suppliers sometimes use materials that increase the problem.

 

[jmccloud]

smoky windshield

Have you checked the rubber gasket at the front of the cowl intake? The fat long one that seals the back of the hood when closed. If it's not sealing correctly, lots of engine fumes will enter the passenger compartment intake in the cowl.
One of my kids likes to keep his dash 'treated' with glossy stuff. He complains a lot about having to clean the inside of his windshield too. The comments on that thought are good.
If the heater core is leaking, the odor of antifreeze will be unmistakable.

 

[jiangtao]

As far as I know I can't think of ever seeing a gasket that seals off the hood.I do know that in the later model C4s they put on a weatherstrip/bumper so to speak to keep the hood from rattling like hell,but mine doesn't have one.I have used leather cleaner before,but a good while ago.Never really put anything on the dash to keep it protected.It does seem at it's worst right in front of the EGR pipe.Maybe it could be leaking??I'll keep looking.

 

[jiangtao]

Now I know what rubber gasket you are talking about!!It has seen better days,but it's really not that bad.Is there any way of replacing it?Does anyone sell it?

 

[jmccloud]

Hood seals

Try Eckler's

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=39774&dept%5Fid=1459&mscssid=KE02AUJVKJWH8JSAJXR0QGTVRC500439

This may be what you need???