Steamy Windows

[mclovin]

No, it's not what you think...

I've only had my GTI for a few months so I am heading into my first winter with this car as my daily driver. I love it so far but one thing has started to bug me and I was wondering if it was normal or if it's just something my car was doing thatr it shouldn't.

Essentially when I get in the car in the morning and the climate control kicks in for the first time it always seems to blow out a lot of vbery humid air that immediately steams up all the windows, I then have to whack on the screen demister buttons and wait for it to clear all the steam it just created. My AC does all work fine and I've had no problems with the climatronic system apart from this, this can't be normal behaviour, can it?

[B3n]

Not sure wether its normal or not but mine has always done it when its cold. But i have put it down to moisture getting trapped in the vents then when you put the fans on it blows it all out. Dont know how accurate this is mind its just a thought ive always had.

[Gene Hunt]

Keep the inside of the windows clean,helps loads. 

[Greeners]

I could be either that the pollen filter needs replacing or the windows need a good clean?

Either way I try and avoid using the AC at this time of year and let the standard heaters do the job. The effect of the AC going on and off usually leaves humid air in the car and if the outside temperature is low it will then cause the galss to fog up.

May be worth getting your AC system checked out to as bacteria can build up on the condensor if it hasn't been used for a prolonged period.  

[animal]

Sounds like it could be a damp pollen filter to me.

Also check you door and windows seals and see if the carpet is damp anywhere as steamy windows can sometimes point to water ingress.

Check your boot carpet too, to make sure nothing is getting in at the rear.

[Phil Mcavity]

^^ tis always good to run the aircon now and again to stop the seals deteriating in the AC pump.Not running it for weeks on end isnt good.

But agree'd with all else from the above

[Pummy]

And I thought Tina Turner had bought a Golf!.  Keeping it clean, checking for damp in the car, and pollen filter check seems to be the first things to check as Phil pointed out.

[nc35]

Well learnt a few things here.

I always use the ac in winter as I thought it "dried" the air.  Bit I had noticed when you put the demister switch on the Auto goes off but assumed the ac is still on.

Also think the MK5 ac self cycles to keep the seals intact.

Going to clean my windows tonight. Doesn't ac pump out loads of rubbish and muck to the screen.

Finally anyone have more info on the pollen filter. Part numbers/cost. Think it's just behind the glove box.

[rskardon]

Keep the inside of the windows clean,helps loads. 

Definitely true, also a good idea to get your car nice and warm with AC on and then have your window open a little to let the humid air out, the problem in the winter is that you often get in with wet shoes etc and without the chance to get out you have a closed environment.

once its been run for a while with the window open it should be ok, if you have a sunroof that is even better on the tilt opening,

Cheers,

R

[mclovin]

Hmm, loads of really useful comments here. I don't think it's water ingress as the carpets are bone dry, that said the seal on the drivers door has started to peel away from the door a bit so that is probably not helping - I have been meaning to get that fixed since I bought the car, so it's about time I got it sorted. As for the windows being clean, I'm normally pretty good about this but I will give them a thorough clean over the weekend just in case. To be honest I think a damp pollen filter is the most likely culprit, I've had lots of cars with climate control and I often just leave the system on auto because I'm lazy like that, but I have never had one steam up from a cold start like my GTI does. I might just pop down to the dealer and get a new pollen filter in the morning - I take it it's pretty easy to find & replace?

[scotta]

Replaced mine the other night as i was also getting steamed up!

two screws that you turn by hand in the passenger footwell under the glovebox. that lets you remove the cover. after that there is a slide cover you remove then pull the filter out.

Fitting is a reversal of removal - as they say in the best Haynes Manuals!!

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3302867

check the above link it details it pretty well and has some pics.

I got the filter from Pentland Components  for £7.99 + vat

Took about 10 mins to do it - handy if you a have a garage to use tho.  I fitted one to my Ed 30 and took the one out of my uncles GT Sport and cleaned it at the same time (We used his garage!!)