by "ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
Published 02/16/2017 at 12:28
by "ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
Published 02/16/2017 at 12:28
Tags: Shit's Wet Yo
; GTI
STARS: 0
Having an issue with severe condensation forming on the inside of my windshield on my GTI when it is cold (below freezing) outside.
My dealer, and also VW Customer Care are telling me this is ‘normal’ and that the tech at my dealer has a 17 Passat that does the same thing.
I refuse to accept that a year-old car should have this much water on the inside of the windows when it is dry out all day, was dry the day before, and I have dry floor mats.
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
02/16/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 0
There is air in the car, air is liquid in gas form, air condenses.
"PotbellyJoe and 42 others" (potbellyjoe)
02/16/2017 at 12:34, STARS: 2
Get a dehumidifier for your car. They’re not too expensive. That’s the first move. It’s been too cold to dry out whatever is in the air of your car. Next, find the leak. weather-stripping is bad somewhere and allowing moisture into the car.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
02/16/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 5
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
"d15b" (d15b7)
02/16/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 3
Having to do that on a year old car sucks.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 0
There should not be that much humidity in the air. I had the defrost running on my drive to work, turned the AC system off and switched to upper vents then turned the fan off entirely before I turned off my engine.
The air in the car should have been dry.
"PotbellyJoe and 42 others" (potbellyjoe)
02/16/2017 at 12:38, STARS: 0
Agreed. Maybe a window was left down recently?
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 12:38, STARS: 2
How about VW should fucking fix their damn car.
"PotbellyJoe and 42 others" (potbellyjoe)
02/16/2017 at 12:39, STARS: 0
Um. I agree, but find the problem for them and take it up with them if the shop won’t work with you.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
02/16/2017 at 12:40, STARS: 2
turn the AC to on to dehumidify
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
02/16/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 0
That’s annoying. Haven’t had this issue on my 2016.
[Crosses fingers] Yet.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/16/2017 at 12:42, STARS: 2
Stop breathing so hard!
Also check the a/c evaporator coil drain. It sounds like it’s clogged up. A common remedy is to blast a little air through there to clear the clog.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
02/16/2017 at 12:42, STARS: 0
You can also use moisture absorbers, like those buckets or hanging bags that they carry at the hardware store.
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Cleaning-Air-Care-Moisture-Absorbers/N-5yc1vZcb9v
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
02/16/2017 at 12:43, STARS: 3
Well you bought a VW so some build quality issues and a lack of service should be expected.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 12:43, STARS: 1
They made the car. They should find the problem. That’s why they warranty their product. I already have a full-time job.
"VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated." (vonbootwilly)
02/16/2017 at 12:43, STARS: 0
Unfortunately every car I’ve ever owned that did that had water inside somewhere, and it was almost always a hatch or car with enough breathing from the trunk to bring forward the moisture. It’s really not normal. I had a Mazda that had a tiny seam gap (from rust) in the rear inner fender, it would throw a bit of water into the trunk and would REALLY build moisture inside the windows. You might need to look in the rear behind the panels, there might be something out of place like a missing rubber plug in the floor pan back there that’s throwing water into the car. In my experience it’s the kind of moisture that you get from some part being literally soaked over time, like sound deadening or carpet in some place you might not realize.
"Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg)
02/16/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 1
It’s the same on our GTI, especially when it’s been parked outside for a while in -5 to +15°C weather. *shrug*
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 0
I did. This happened after leaving the car sit all day at work.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 12:45, STARS: 0
Very funny, ass.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
02/16/2017 at 12:45, STARS: 0
You said in your post that you turned the AC off.
"PotbellyJoe and 42 others" (potbellyjoe)
02/16/2017 at 12:45, STARS: 7
Yeah. I get that. I’m sorry, I thought you were asking for advice. I didn’t realize it was a “jump down the throat of every suggestion to fix it” post.
I’ll check out.
Happy Thursday.
"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
02/16/2017 at 12:45, STARS: 2
Weird...this might sound crazy, but get a cheap hygrometer to keep in your car. It would be good to know exactly what the humidity is inside the car when you first get in. I’m dealing with similar issues in my VW, but it’s a 2001 and I expect the weatherstripping to be less than perfect. Usually it’s because I came home during high humidity and closed up the car.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
02/16/2017 at 12:46, STARS: 4
"LOREM IPSUM" (lorem---ipsum)
02/16/2017 at 12:47, STARS: 1
Start pulling up the carpet in the cabin to check for water pooling, and check in the trunk too.
Completely different car and all, but older bmw’s had an issue where the drain tubing for the sunroof would shrink and disconnect itself. You would never see water coming out of the headliner or anything, but it would run down the pillars and pool under the carpeting. Because of the thick rubber and foam backing on the carpet you would never know there was gallons of water hiding under there... until the electrical issues started popping up.
Just a thought.
"Rico" (ricorich)
02/16/2017 at 12:48, STARS: 0
Nah this can’t be right at all. At the very least they need to check all your weather stripping, including whatever it is holding the windshield. I’ve never seen that much condensation in a parked car.
Occasionally I would see some very MINOR condensation usually at the base of the windshield on a particularly cold day but nothing this egregious.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/16/2017 at 12:48, STARS: 0
I hear you. However, long experience with dealer shops is that if they aren’t capable of figuring out what to do, they will end up doing something in an effort to satisfy the irate customer without getting rid of the actual problem. If your visits tell you they are flailing around without a clue, it may save you time and effort to figure it out yourself or get third party help, even if it costs you something.
"victor" (victor)
02/16/2017 at 12:48, STARS: 0
This only happens to my wife’s gti on days after she uses the car. Rather than moisture coming in, we’ve determined that the car doesn’t vent as well. Keeping the ac on while using the heater dehumidifies it enough.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 1
No, it’s I’m pissed off about this issue and people aren’t posting anything actually helpful.
Telling me to do VW’s job isn’t helpful. I appreciate your trying to help, but I do not have time to deal with this. When one buys a new car, one expects should anything go wrong for the people who made it to figure it out and fix it.
I will look into dehumidifying my car, but it is not MY job to fix this for VW.
"LOREM IPSUM" (lorem---ipsum)
02/16/2017 at 12:54, STARS: 0
You can also toss a 10lb bag of rice in the back seat, which you can then eat should you run out of Farfegnugen and find yourself stranded.
Win win, really.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 12:54, STARS: 0
That is exactly what I did on the drive to work that morning.
"Wykdtron" (wykdtron66)
02/16/2017 at 12:55, STARS: 0
I had the same problem with my 11 GTI and my problem ended up being the monster floor mats. When I would get into the car with wet feet the floor mats would collect water. The condensation would form due to the trapped water in the car. To solve the problem I would dump the water out of my floor mats when I got to work, and I would make sure the cabin recirculate button was turned off so fresh air could still get into the car helping to keep it dry. Hope that might help.
"PotbellyJoe and 42 others" (potbellyjoe)
02/16/2017 at 12:59, STARS: 4
I didn’t say fix it, I said find it.
Helpful tip for you. take a few deep breaths before you start dealing with VW or any of the mechanics. You’re going to want the good will when the CPU fries 2,000 miles after your warranty expires. Carrying this much anger into the discussion is only going to put you in bad graces with them and, unfortunately, when you need their help on your GTI, they hold the power.
My wife was a warranty admin for a few brands, it’s amazing the leeway you will get when you’re nice to the right people.
There is water somewhere in the car and when the car never gets warm enough to dry out and you aren’t driving around with the windows down like in the summer, that moisture can’t get out.
Sorry that you don’t see it as helpful, but no one on Oppo is a genie. We can’t nod our head and fix the problem instantly. We can tell you where to look for an issue.
"Bourbon&JellyBeans" (bourbonandjellybeans)
02/16/2017 at 13:00, STARS: 0
Ugh. My fiance’s Pontiac has the same exact problem. There will sometimes even be a puddle behind the front seats. Unfortunately, it’s incredibly hard to find the source of the issue as you can probably imagine. She took her car in for this problem (no warranty) and they replaced the moonroof seals and later the windshield weather stripping but it wasn’t fixed. She wasted like $1500 or so and it didn’t help.
Dealerships LOVE to give you the “yeah that’s normal - Billy Bob in the back drives an identical car and he has the same issue” excuse. It’s a way for them to shut down any conversation about solving the problem.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
02/16/2017 at 13:10, STARS: 0
Fill the backseat with untreated bare wood planks. Bam! Dehumidifier.
"Tazio, Count Fouroff" (tazio0625)
02/16/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 1
imo you’re right — something is jacked here. Windows fogging anytime you’re not actually driving during cool and/or wet weather means water has come in.
Somewhere.
This car is nearly new...unless others same model/year have the same problem, then yours has some one-off issue that just happened to get messed up, probably when it was built unless it’s been in a crash. Yeah the Stealer *should* fix it but doesn’t mean they will or even can, be your own bird-dog till it’s right if you really wanna get it fixed.
FWIW sunroof drains were a huge headache on Golf Mark III’s.
otherwise suspects would be: weatherstripping, HVAC evaporator condensate-drain, plugged-up rainwater drains for the under-cowl HVAC intake, HVAC intake itself, or leak in heater core.
Seriously, tho, best wishes for a quick and perm solution
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/16/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 1
When one buys a new car, one expects should anything go wrong for the people who made it to figure it out and fix it.
This so darn much.
It reminds me of my saga with smart USA and their techs who say “could not replicate issue” unless the car is literally on fire or something.
It’s like well no duh you couldn’t replicate the wind whistle issue, you drove the car on a calm day. I specifically said it’s a high wind issue!! *facepalm*
Or, how about take my word for it and adjust the door? How long does it take, like 10 minutes for you guys?
What’s the point of having a warranty if you’re going to get called a liar any time you bring it in?
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
02/16/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 0
Are you by any chance leaving the HVAC on Recirculate while the car is parked?
"carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
02/16/2017 at 13:30, STARS: 0
Smart and sane response here, nicely earned star from me.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
02/16/2017 at 13:49, STARS: 0
That really blows, they should take ownership of the issue.
If they keep fighting you, go get a few dessicant bags and throw them in the car. You probably have some moisture somewhere from something.
I know my Passat seals up very tight and won’t breathe. If I throw sweaty gym clothes in the trunk at lunchtime my windows will be fogged up at 5pm (given the temperature change is right).
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
02/16/2017 at 13:53, STARS: 0
I think his suggestions on how to track down the problem now that VW has apparently refused to do so (although I think we all agree that they should) is a lot more “helpful” than just saying “yup, you should argue with VW more,” not less, but I guess I too erroneously read your post as looking for concrete advice on solving the problem.
"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
02/16/2017 at 14:00, STARS: 0
I had a similar issue with my Golf (Mk VII, like your GTI. Here’s what I did to remedy the situation:
- keep the A/C on at all times to dehumidify the air. Doing this just once won’t solve it.
- clean your windows with a good glass cleaner. I like Invisible Glass wipes.
- let the warm, humid air out of the car when you park. I sometimes put all the windows down when I was parking, then back up when I left the car.
Others have suggested the car may have a leak somewhere but at one year old, that shouldn’t be the case. Rather, I think it may be sealed so well that the warm, humid air that builds up in the car while you drive with the heat on never gets a chance to leave. That trapped air then causes condensation on the windows because of the cold outside air.
I found it especially prevalent after I got weathertech matts. They hold any moisture or snow you may bring into the car with your feet - great for keeping the carpets clean but it provides a nice basin of water to evaporate and then condensate on your windows. [to further back up my theory, I found that leaving the HVAC on defrost only and using just the seat heaters to keep warm, thus never putting heat in the footwell to evaporate the water/snow, improved the situation]. I made it a habit I dump them out more regularly (this may apply to VW’s monster matts as well).
Hope that helps.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 0
After I parked the car upon arriving at work. I used the AC to defog the window as I was driving there.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 14:33, STARS: 0
Nope. AC is turned off upon arrival at work, air set to fresh, and fan turned off.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 14:37, STARS: 1
I have been quite calm with VW. I got testy with you because I did not feel your advice was helpful. Telling me to figure out the problem for VW isn’t helpful, that is their job.
Telling me specific locations to ask them to look at would be helpful; like Tazio did would have been much better.
I sincerely appreciate your willingness to help. I just did not appreciate being told to do half of VW’s job for them. I am frustrated with this issue. I am not angry at you. And I did not mean for my responses to be personal attacks.
For that I apologize.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 14:45, STARS: 1
This is a helpful response. Thank you very much.
"PotbellyJoe and 42 others" (potbellyjoe)
02/16/2017 at 14:58, STARS: 0
If it was just me that you owed an apology to in this post, you’d be fine, I’m not upset about it. I was more just surprised by your behavior and willingness to quickly snap at people who obviously were trying to either fix the symptoms, help you track down the problem, or lighten your mood. Maybe it was the way it was coming across as typed, but there is some prevailing anger in many of your comments that should be addressed with the people you directed it towards. I didn’t want you to carry that with you to VW because you’d burn any bridge that you’d have with them and, frankly, you need them.
Hope the issues get fixed.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
02/16/2017 at 15:04, STARS: 0
Have you noticed any funky musty smells?
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/16/2017 at 16:32, STARS: 0
No. Nothing really. It just smells like rubber mats. I don’t use any scented air fresheners and prefer to keep my car clean to prevent smells.
"Rico" (ricorich)
02/16/2017 at 16:34, STARS: 0
That is a very funny ass!
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
02/16/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 0
I know, right?!
"Tazio, Count Fouroff" (tazio0625)
02/16/2017 at 17:51, STARS: 0
You’re welcome and thanks for the kind feedback, it’s good to read that it was of help.
FWIW other possible sites, imo VonBootWilly has a point about the possibility of a small seam gap somewhere; also someone else posted about possibly plugged drains on the bottoms of the doors
Best wishes bro! Here’s hoping the culprit turns up real soon
"Monkey B" (monkeyb)
02/16/2017 at 19:20, STARS: 0
there’s moisture in the car for sure. Feel the around the entire carpet...half of me thinks there’s something in the door. Surprised it’s not starting to smell funny.