Rain Repellent / Anti fogging

saladdodger · 09-11-11, 12:01 AM

My car mists up real bad on the inside when it rains or is pretty cold.

I have to have the aircon on all the time which i dont think is right, i try having both front windows and sunroof open abit but still the same

Has anyone used rain-x or anti fogging agent

Cheers

MEX · 09-11-11, 06:54 AM

I think your problem is that the air recirculation flap is stuck in the closed position. I had just the problem you describe on my 200 many years ago.

When you switch on the AC the flap closes allowing the air in the car to recirculate. When you switch the AS to 'Econ' the flap should open under the action of a spring. On my car the spring had snapped meaning that the flap stayed closed and fresh air was never able to enter the car.

I fixed mine by holding the flap in the open position with a piece of wood. A bit of a bodge but as my AC never worked I didn't need to have air recirculation. To get to the flap, open the bonnet and lift up the plastic cover over the plenum/wiper chamber. The flap should be on the left hand side of the car.

If you want to fix the spring I seem to remember that it was located behind the glove box where the AC cooling radiator is located.

I hope this helps.

Daveymaclad · 09-11-11, 07:17 AM

If you wanted a 'cheap' fix. Get a dozen or so silica packets that you get in the bottom of food packets and other goods occasionally and stick them on your dashboard. They'll absorb all the moisture overnight and you'll not have the misting problem in the morning!

I did this when I had a car that used to mist up horribly and take 10+minutes to clear. After sticking the packets on my dash I'd be away in a minute!

Bear in mind though that each dozen or so packets will last just a few days until you dry them out again when they can be reused!

Not elegent but quick and cheap!

dgacampbell · 09-11-11, 11:28 AM

Rain x works quite well on the outside of your windows for rain, i did think it made mist worse tho....
The interior Anti fog is rubbish....
Old Pillow case, pour a bag or 2 of cheap white rice into it, tie it up, and leave it in the car, absorbs moisture, cheap and easy to get hold of.
(I have left a few in my car(on rubber floor mats) to make sure it doesn't get damp over the winter.)
HTH
Dan.

Daveymaclad · 09-11-11, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgacampbell

Rain x works quite well on the outside of your windows for rain, i did think it made mist worse tho....
The interior Anti fog is rubbish....
Old Pillow case, pour a bag or 2 of cheap white rice into it, tie it up, and leave it in the car, absorbs moisture, cheap and easy to get hold of.
(I have left a few in my car(on rubber floor mats) to make sure it doesn't get damp over the winter.)
HTH
Dan.

Pudding or basmati!? lol

Does exactly the same as my suggestion but you're right, definitely easier to get hold of! How much rice do you put in there and how long will it typically absorb for? A pillow case is quite large!!

dgacampbell · 09-11-11, 11:54 AM

lol Just plain white rice, i'm sure any would work lol...
Erm you could use anything not completely sealed i'm sure ,i just happened to have pillow cases spare, i just put a full bag of tesco value rice in.
Right tesco, where are my advertising payments lol :P
As for time i'm not sure, this is more a prevention in my case, but i assume it depends on the level of moisture in the car already?

rtz62 · 09-11-11, 11:56 AM

Might sound obvious but
A is the air con working properly? One of its functions is to remove moisture from the air; a check up and re-gas is circa £50
B do you have a leak? Window rubbers, or a leak from the area if the pollen filter / scuttle area?

Phil Payne · 09-11-11, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEX

I think your problem is that the air recirculation flap is stuck in the closed position.

Absolutely - first thing to check.

http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/troubl...ac.html#recirc

Also remove the cover from the waterbox and check the drains aren't blocked with leaves.

I think I've known about a dozen people over the years who've assumed it's the heater matrix, girded their loins (bastard of a Job on a Type 44) and found the drains were blocked.

rtz62 · 09-11-11, 03:20 PM

Or if it's got a sunroof, are the drain tubes blocked, or the points where the water drains out in the sill area?

saladdodger · 09-11-11, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtz62

Might sound obvious but
A is the air con working properly? One of its functions is to remove moisture from the air; a check up and re-gas is circa £50
B do you have a leak? Window rubbers, or a leak from the area if the pollen filter / scuttle area?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Payne

Absolutely - first thing to check.

http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/troubl...ac.html#recirc

Also remove the cover from the waterbox and check the drains aren't blocked with leaves.

I think I've known about a dozen people over the years who've assumed it's the heater matrix, girded their loins (bastard of a Job on a Type 44) and found the drains were blocked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtz62

Or if it's got a sunroof, are the drain tubes blocked, or the points where the water drains out in the sill area?

I dont believe i have a leak, ive been out there today for hours pouring water all over the sunroof, doors and scuttlte panel and the water runs off away from the gaps.

I cleaned and checked the drains on the front wings, on the drivers side the water runs out at the bottom of the wing where the mudflap is, on the passenger side it seems to run off away to the centre of the scuttle panel and down and out?????

I'll check that flap tomorrow, thank you

09-11-11, 07:17 AM	#3
Daveymaclad 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bursledon - Southampton Posts: 2,575	If you wanted a 'cheap' fix. Get a dozen or so silica packets that you get in the bottom of food packets and other goods occasionally and stick them on your dashboard. They'll absorb all the moisture overnight and you'll not have the misting problem in the morning! I did this when I had a car that used to mist up horribly and take 10+minutes to clear. After sticking the packets on my dash I'd be away in a minute! Bear in mind though that each dozen or so packets will last just a few days until you dry them out again when they can be reused! Not elegent but quick and cheap! __________________ 2008 RS6 avant SOLD 1988 UR Quattro

09-11-11, 06:54 AM	#2
MEX Newbie! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: York Posts: 17	I think your problem is that the air recirculation flap is stuck in the closed position. I had just the problem you describe on my 200 many years ago. When you switch on the AC the flap closes allowing the air in the car to recirculate. When you switch the AS to 'Econ' the flap should open under the action of a spring. On my car the spring had snapped meaning that the flap stayed closed and fresh air was never able to enter the car. I fixed mine by holding the flap in the open position with a piece of wood. A bit of a bodge but as my AC never worked I didn't need to have air recirculation. To get to the flap, open the bonnet and lift up the plastic cover over the plenum/wiper chamber. The flap should be on the left hand side of the car. If you want to fix the spring I seem to remember that it was located behind the glove box where the AC cooling radiator is located. I hope this helps.

09-11-11, 11:28 AM	#4
dgacampbell Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Co.Armagh, N.Ireland Posts: 1,442	Rain x works quite well on the outside of your windows for rain, i did think it made mist worse tho.... The interior Anti fog is rubbish.... Old Pillow case, pour a bag or 2 of cheap white rice into it, tie it up, and leave it in the car, absorbs moisture, cheap and easy to get hold of. (I have left a few in my car(on rubber floor mats) to make sure it doesn't get damp over the winter.) HTH Dan.

09-11-11, 11:54 AM	#6
dgacampbell Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Co.Armagh, N.Ireland Posts: 1,442	lol Just plain white rice, i'm sure any would work lol... Erm you could use anything not completely sealed i'm sure ,i just happened to have pillow cases spare, i just put a full bag of tesco value rice in. Right tesco, where are my advertising payments lol :P As for time i'm not sure, this is more a prevention in my case, but i assume it depends on the level of moisture in the car already?

09-11-11, 11:56 AM	#7
rtz62 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,527	Might sound obvious but A is the air con working properly? One of its functions is to remove moisture from the air; a check up and re-gas is circa £50 B do you have a leak? Window rubbers, or a leak from the area if the pollen filter / scuttle area?

09-11-11, 03:20 PM	#9
rtz62 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,527	Or if it's got a sunroof, are the drain tubes blocked, or the points where the water drains out in the sill area?