Swimming Pool in my Surf

[Nellington]

I know quite a lot of old cars do this (and my surf is a 92) but I have some MAJOR condensation problems with my motor, to such an extant that there is water pretty much everywhere. Is there any way of preventing or reducing this or should I just add a towel to the boot??
Things which might be related include:
1) One of the windows appears to frost over but never any of the others
2) The misses is convinced that there is water coming in from the seatbelt clip at the top

Any suggestions would be, as always, greatly appreciated.

[BUSHWHACKER]

If you have a sunroof, check that the drain holes are clear.
If you have rain deflectors fitted, leave the front side windows open an inch over night, I do this and the condensation is much less.
You can buy condesation crystals from B&Q that will soak up the moisture in the cab.
If you have air-con fitted and it works, turn it on as it will dry the air inside the truck and reduce the condensation.
Is the heater blower blasting onto the screen properly? if not, the white plastic levers that direct the air-flow may be sticking, they're down by the footrest next to the brake pedal. (type 'misty windows' into the search box)

[MattF]

You can buy condesation crystals from B&Q that will soak up the moisture
in the cab.

Or in tight git laymans terms, bung a bowl of table salt in the back.

[Slugsie]

I know quite a lot of old cars do this (and my surf is a 92) but I have some MAJOR condensation problems with my motor, to such an extant that there is water pretty much everywhere. Is there any way of preventing or reducing this or should I just add a towel to the boot??
Things which might be related include:
1) One of the windows appears to frost over but never any of the others
2) The misses is convinced that there is water coming in from the seatbelt clip at the top

Any suggestions would be, as always, greatly appreciated.

One thing springs to my mind... your heater matrix might be split. I've had that happen in my old Peugeot, and the condensation was nigh on impossible to get rid of before the matrix was replaced. Two ways to tell, 1. The smell, very obviously sickly sweet sort of smell (as I recall), and 2. The demister almost made things worse (because it was blowing hot wet air over the windows, thus misting them up).

Hope thats not the problem.

[Nellington]

I have just had a really good look at the inside and there is an area above the window on the drivers side which is damp to the touch so I think it is the sunroof. Having looked at the outside of the sunroof there are marks where the previous owner has gaffer taped the sunroof!!!

As a tempoary fix should I just re-stick it with tape or will this:

a) not make the slightest bit of difference
b) damage the paintwork

If this is a bad idea how would I go about getting it fixed??

[paulh]

One thing springs to my mind... your heater matrix might be split. I've had that happen in my old Peugeot, and the condensation was nigh on impossible to get rid of before the matrix was replaced. Two ways to tell, 1. The smell, very obviously sickly sweet sort of smell (as I recall), and 2. The demister almost made things worse (because it was blowing hot wet air over the windows, thus misting them up).

Hope thats not the problem.

I was thinking along the same lines, you only get badly misting windows when you already have a lot of moisture in the car.
Try lifting the carpets and see if it is wet and if so then try and trace the cause, it may could be a leaking door seal or something just as simple.

[laser_jock@work]

Open up the sunroof. In the forward facing corners you'll find two drain holes going down the windshield pillars and exiting behind the fron wheel arch. The drain holes can be easily blocked especially if you go offroading. Stuff some stiff wire down the drain holes from the top and this should clear any blockage.

I think there are two rear drain holes too- but I've no idea how you reach them or where they exit?

Blocked sill drain holes can also let water in the footwells. Go around the bottom of the sills and poke away at all the openings. If 10 pints of water comes out then thats your problem!

Make sure your heater is set to suck cool, clean air into the car. If it's set on re-circulate it will tak forever to clear the windows.