Mist

[darrenlane]

whilst driving along today i noticed a very fine mist comming from one of the windscreen vents does anybody know what might be causung this as i think this is what is fogging up my windscreen.any help most apprecited and all your responses are very grateful thank you all cheers darren lane.

[Guest gooner52]

what version do you have, galaxy that is

[anadin]

hairline crack in heater matrix or supply pipes, are you losing coolant ?

[Guest HairyPlateEater]

Concur with heater matrix issues. Is the carpet wet in the footwells at all?

[El Dingo]

Heater matrix would be my favourite too, although OP could also check scuttle drains, for wet cabin filter, etc.

[Justice]

Water ingress through the scuttle tray will do the exact same thing, I would check to make sure the drain hole are not blocked.

[Guest greenfingers]

If the heater matrix is leaking, you would smell antifreeze for sure - particularly if you turned up the heater temperature. (That is assuming you have antifreeze in the radiator!)

 

I get some misting on long trips when the aircon is off, and have found some suggestions on this forum. Must check for blocked/soggy pollen filter, and drain holes at bulkhead, but I am not sure how to check if the ventilation is stuck on recirculation. I also get a slight smell from the vents in all modes - almost like fumes. I'm sure it's not antifreeze, and it can't be bacteria build up, because I have 'bombed' it - TWICE.

Any ideas anyone?

[Guest greenfingers]

Bought a new pollen filter the other day. Before fitting it I poured a load of water down the windscreen to check if the old filter was getting wet due to blocked scuttle drains. Lo and behold it flowed straight into the wheelarch - that is what it should do, right? :)

 

Anyway, armed with Seatkids instructions and pics, I took a deep breath and proceded to remove the obscuring parts as described. Now, when he said you need a good light he was not joking. :lol: Being well prepared for this ordeal, I had a super power torch at the ready, and lo and behold I could just see the clip on the side of the filter - but could I get my hand in there? No way. :lol: So I hunted around the garage and came up with an array of long thin implements. Managed to release the clip with a length of conduit and popped the filter forward; then had to undo and move the wiper mechanism to enable the filter and frame to be slid along to the drivers side with another long implement. The assembly would not come out of there, so I removed the filter from the frame and pulled it out on its own. :lol:

Like Seatkid said, reassembly was the reverse procedure, and I was careful to engage the passenger side of the frame properley. Eventually the long tools rewarded me with a reassuring click, and bingo, the worst was over! :lol:

 

Upon inspection, the old filter was clogged with flies, feathers and filth, but was not wet. It was also twice as heavy as the new one, but I'm not sure how much of this was due to the old one being the grey (charcoal) type and the new one being the white type?

 

Before refitting the final parts, I was feeling so good that I even removed the circlips, washers and o'rings from the wiper spindles treated them to a dose of WD40 and grease! Oh happy day :lol:

 

Then the test drive............ couldn't believe it, with front blower on full I could actually feel air coming through the vents! Don't get me wrong though, still not a proper blast (can anyone tell me if this is normal?). At least for a five minute drive, the windows did not steam up and I did not notice that smell.

 

I haven't done a decent journey yet, but am hoping this has cured the steaming up problem, and also that smell. Will report back.

[Guest greenfingers]

OK, I've had a few drives now and no steaming up, but there is still a slight smell coming through the vents.

 

I am now wondering if the steaming up was only happening after having the aircon on. My theory is that recently I have only been using the econ setting (no need for cold air), with no steaming up, so the problem may be aircon related.

 

Ford TIS (recent ebay purchase) mentions the possibility of a smell being caused by the aircon run off hose becoming blocked or disconnected, resulting in the condensed water dripping onto the heater housing.

 

Has anyone had this, or please could someone describe where this hose is?

[El Dingo]

Just a thought. Is this why Ford dealers now sell an Odour Filter rather than the plain Jane Cabin Filter?

[Guest greenfingers]

Should you be able to smell exhaust fumes in the engine bay? If I lift the bonnet and lean over the engine when its running, I can.

TIS also mentions fumes getting past a badly fitted bulkhead shield and entering the cabin through the pollen filter. I reckon my shield is fitted right, so maybe I've got a disconnected/leaking hose or something.

Any ideas anyone?