Project Free Mazda: Need heater advice

"Luc - The Acadian Oppo" (luc5)
11/19/2014 at 18:11 • Filed to: Project Free Mazda

Ok here is the deal the heater in the Mazda works. Just not like I would like it to. The last time I drove the car it was -15 deg C (5 deg F) and I damn near froze to death.

The thing is I can either have defrosted windows or heat but I can't have both.

The only way to keep the windows defrosted is to have the car on max defrost and air recirculation off. I'm freezing cold but I can see where I'm going.

The only way to get heat is to have the recirculation on with the foot and face vents on but when I drive like this the car fog up to the point I can't see out the windows. I'm plenty warm but I can't see a damn thing.

What are my options? get some sort of 12V heater or defrosting device? I'm looking for ideas.

I would prefer it if I no longer need to dress up like this to drive the car.

DISCUSSION (23)

T5Killer > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/19/2014 at 18:17

I had a truck that had an issue like this. Not sure if this is an option at your horrible cold conditions but I used to leave the passenger door window just slightly rolled down (just a crack really) and it helped with the windows fogging up. That or use a rain x anti fog on the windows.

For Sweden > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/19/2014 at 18:18

Is your heater not tough enough or do you think the issue is with the ductwork?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/19/2014 at 18:18

Is the A/C on? On my Dad's old Mazda pickup he had to run the A/C for both to work.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/19/2014 at 18:19

I don't have A/C.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/19/2014 at 18:20

I know some guys who live in Fort MacMurray who take some coolant out in the winter so the vehicle runs a bit warmer and gives off more heat. Not saying its a good idea but it might be an option.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > For Sweden
11/19/2014 at 18:20

I think it's not tough enough to handle both duties. so it's one or the other.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > T5Killer
11/19/2014 at 18:23

you I could try cracking the window I never really thought of that but it could work since as soon as I turn off the recirculate and the fresh air comes in the window clear up. but my heather isn't strong enough to heat the car with the recirculation off.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/19/2014 at 18:24

I've had my fair share of overheating issues so I don't think I'll do that.

T5Killer > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
11/19/2014 at 18:25

I have heard of folks partially blocking radiators with cardboard or sheetmetal to help keep the car warmer.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/19/2014 at 18:26

Then I have no clue. Sorry.

davedave1111 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/19/2014 at 18:29

First of all, clean the inside of the windows properly. Give them a really good wash and dry. Then get some dishwasher rinse-aid, and polish with it - use plenty, but not so much that it won't all polish off nicely. It should go a long way to stopping the fogging up.

I'd also look at trying to dry out the interior of the car. There may be some blocked drain holes somewhere, or it may just be years of accumulated humidity soaked into everything, but the demister won't really work properly if the air's damp and it can't heat up the glass enough. By now you probably have condensation in the heater pipes, as well.

If you have a garage and a dehumidifier you can leave in the car overnight, that might work - or an electric fan heater, with the car doors open. Otherwise, sounds like the car itself is functioning as quite an effective condensator at the moment. Dry the fogged-up windows off with paper towels, and remove them from the car.

If all else fails, you can get a 12v fan for about $5 to stick on the dash and point at the windscreen.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-12V-Po…

T5Killer > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/19/2014 at 18:29

Awesome sounds like it may work. Let me know, also try the fog x stuff if you can it works wonders, I have used it on cars, bathroom mirrors and even my goggles in the military.

Racescort666 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/19/2014 at 18:33

There are 2 things that I think may be causing this:

1. Bad heater core. Clogged or otherwise if there isn't enough coolant going through it, it will be cold.

2. Bad thermostat. IIRC, they are fairly easy to replace on the mazda b series engines. If it is very cold, flowing through the radiator cools the engine too much and it essentially never warms up. Coolant should always be flowing through the heater core though and this is essentially how the engine is cooled.

2.5. Check your belt tension too, if the water pump belt is slipping you won't be getting the coolant flow you should be.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/19/2014 at 18:35

Alaska taught me to really appreciate these. Stick them in your gloves. or hell, sit on one, I won't tell anyone. http://www.amazon.com/HotHands-Hand-…

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > T5Killer
11/19/2014 at 18:41

Ya I know people who do this too, usually on diesels though.

T5Killer > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
11/19/2014 at 19:32

Those are awesome I give them to the kids and wife when we go winter outdoors events.

AutoSavant > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/19/2014 at 20:38

Do you have a thermostat? I had this problem once. Turned out I had no thermostat and the engine was running too cool to give me a decent amount of heat for survival.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > AutoSavant
11/19/2014 at 21:41

I replaced the thermostat 2 months ago.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Racescort666
11/19/2014 at 21:42

I changed the thermostat 2 months ago. and I'm getting plenty of heat( I get sweaty with the fan pointed at me) but the windows fog up unless I have it on defrost.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > davedave1111
11/19/2014 at 21:45

That very well could be maybe too much humidity in the car. I've had one point where the water was dripping from the back window. It felt like I was watching the sex scene from Titanic because of how fogged up it was.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > T5Killer
11/19/2014 at 21:46

I could try this as well as it can't really hurt to try.

XJDano > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
11/20/2014 at 23:13

The controls are likely manual like my metro & rabbits, do you think the cable that switches the damper from vent/floor/defrost is working properly? What about the blower motor? My blower went out on a suburban I had an would fog up really bad, and super cold in there.

If it doesn't work on recirculate maybe that's it.

My metro is a lot like the Mazda in a small econo hatch and that till cook a turkey once warmed up. Not on here much so don't know if you got a solution yet.

Good luck

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > XJDano
11/21/2014 at 01:20

I didn't tinker with it yet. It's just a second car for me so I only play with it when I have some free time.