Ventilation Problems

[Wingnutz]

Hi there..

 

Have had my X plate Mk2 Galaxy for about 6 months now and been staggered how good a vehicle it is, speaking as an ex-sceptic on people carriers generally! Now converted, can't understand why people drive 'normal cars' anymore!!!

 

But - can't seem to stop the air-con steaming up all the windows within 5-10 mins. The vehicle is completely std UK supplied, so I think I have the semi-automatic air-con (ie not full climate control). Unless I direct to front screen only, all the windows mist up (and are fairly bad even when on front screen setting). Different temp settings don't seem to make any difference. Have just changed all the filters as part of a small service, including pollen filter - and hoped that might have made the difference, but not so.

 

Anyone else had this? Grateful for any input you have.. as only cure I have right now is to leave the two front windows slightly open, which works very well but it's a bit chilly for that now and family less than impressed...

 

 

Many thanks

[Dave-G]

I Find demisting windows is a lot quicker by opening the rear window vents

 

I'm no aerodynamisist :D or wossit called :D but this seems to vastly improve the throughflow of air along the inside of the side windows

 

:) of course this is easy peasy for ghia drivers wot av lecky ones :D

 

Welcome to the lofty heights

[johnb80]

Double check as in previous posts that the scuttle drains are clear and the air con drain is also clear. Is the carpet at the passenger side wet? if so do a search for this. Are you losing coolant very slowly? is their a strange sort of smell at times? (no jokes please) this can be a leaking heater matrix. If you have air recirc switched on, switch it off and make sure the recirc flap has opened. If all of the above is ok, switch on your aircon, turn up the heat and switch on air recirc. That should de-humidfy the cabin and hence clear the windows.

 

On the other hand it sounds like an ideal passion waggon, usually takes ages to get the car steamed up :)

 

Regards - John

[Wingnutz]

Tx for the input - and will check out the areas you mention.

 

Have noticed slightly odd smell - mainly when you first get in having been parked up all day or overnight - nothing particularly bad or overwhelming, but definitely there. Never had an oil burner before, and had figured it was just something to do with that - so perhaps not.

 

Errrr - passion wagon?? In my dreams....!! (though must admit, it's ideal for "it"). The fact that a people carrier is the ideal vehicle for me right now seems to suggest I probably got enough passion in m' life, thanks very much! Or is that too much passion and not enough control maybe? (I dunno - whatever, it's kinda too late now in every respect!)

 

Cheers

Paul

[Andrew T]

If there is a damp smell in the car it is worth checking under the carpets for leaks. It's only when the leak is really bad that the carpet itself becomes wet. Under the carpet is a thick acoustic mat with a rubber membrane on top. This underlayer can absorb an incredible amount of water. Carefully prise off the plastic capping trim between the door seal and the carpet, and put your hand underneath the acoustic matting to check for damp.

[seatkid]

Have noticed slightly odd smell - mainly when you first get in having been parked up all day or overnight - nothing particularly bad or overwhelming, but definitely there.

If its steaming up with a/c on then most likely the a/c is not working.

 

If the faint smell is "clinical" then possibly gas leak in evaporator.(I could "sense" this when mine leaked). If its "musty" then possibly heater matrix leak.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

... can't understand why people drive 'normal cars' anymore!!!

 

But - can't seem to stop the air-con steaming up all the windows within 5-10 mins

Well, that's someone else who doesn't want another "normal" car so I'm not alone :D

 

Mine is also X-reg Ghia - if the windows are steaming up then there is probably something wrong with the aircon, sorry to say. You have got it set to "auto" I hope? Give the windows a good clean on the insides to remove grease, traces of emulsifier from the interior plastics etc. If it hasn't been re-gassed yet, take it to an aircon specialist.

[Wingnutz]

Have been clinging on to the hope that it might be something simple - but I fear that Ivor and Seatkid are nearer the mark and that the air-con is on the blink. And yep, on "Auto" setting.

 

So far as I'm aware it hasn't ever been re-gassed - is there any rule of thumb as to when it should be done, or simply when the air-con stops working is pretty much it?

 

Don't suppose anyone knows a local specialist they can recommend? (am in Brighouse, West Yorks...and work in Leeds)

 

Thanks again.

 

Paul

[Ivor_E_Tower]

There are loads of different theories on re-gassing. Personally I'd never go longer than 4 years. My parents last car however went about 7 years and the system still appeared to be working properly. I let my Renault Scenic go 4 years with no top-up, then had a full drain and re-fill. My Galaxy was re-done in June 2003 after a full system failure (under warranty) and I intend to get it serviced this August, because the Galaxy is prone to problems - otherwise I would have left it another year or two.