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[philsteward]

Don't think this has been covered before, I have done a load of searching and not found anything.

The story...my Omega has an annoying habit of steaming up when it rains.  Climate settings can be anything, as long as ECO is on (air con off).  I can be driving down the motorway, and if it starts raining, within 5mins the car will be badly steamed up.  Only two ways to get rid of it, open a window slightly or put the air con on.  I have changed the pollen filter about 2 months ago, so that should not be the issue.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Marks DTM Calib who did the gearbox updates for me.  He mentioned the recirc trick, and I tried that the last few times but no joy.

Any ideas from anyone as it is very frustrating, and only going to get worse with winter setting in!

Cheers in advance 

[gstylebaby]

I had/have the same problem with my saloon.  Check the passenger foot well and see if the carpet is damp if poss lift said carpet and check the thick padding under it mine was damp but when i cut a piece out and took it from the car it was dripping out.  Have you checked the drain at the bottom of were your pollen filter is mite be you getting water in that way but not enought that you would notice.  Do you ahve a sunroof ?

[RobG]

Don't think this has been covered before, I have done a load of searching and not found anything.

The story...my Omega has an annoying habit of steaming up when it rains.  Climate settings can be anything, as long as ECO is on (air con off).  I can be driving down the motorway, and if it starts raining, within 5mins the car will be badly steamed up.  Only two ways to get rid of it, open a window slightly or put the air con on.  I have changed the pollen filter about 2 months ago, so that should not be the issue.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Marks DTM Calib who did the gearbox updates for me.  He mentioned the recirc trick, and I tried that the last few times but no joy.

Any ideas from anyone as it is very frustrating, and only going to get worse with winter setting in!

Cheers in advance 

That will cause internal condensation even more so in damp/wet conditions

[Andy H]

Don't think this has been covered before, I have done a load of searching and not found anything.

The story...my Omega has an annoying habit of steaming up when it rains.  Climate settings can be anything, as long as ECO is on (air con off).  I can be driving down the motorway, and if it starts raining, within 5mins the car will be badly steamed up.  Only two ways to get rid of it, open a window slightly or put the air con on.  I have changed the pollen filter about 2 months ago, so that should not be the issue.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Marks DTM Calib who did the gearbox updates for me.  He mentioned the recirc trick, and I tried that the last few times but no joy.

Any ideas from anyone as it is very frustrating, and only going to get worse with winter setting in!

Cheers in advance 

Can you hear the flap operating when you press the recirc button?

[Entwood]

Steaming up/condensation is caused when high humidity warm air contacts a cold surface.

With the aircon OFF there is very little movement of air in the cabin, if it is raining the humidity is high, add to that the fact that you are breathing out warm, moist air, the humidity inside the car rises quickly, the windscreen gets cold due to rain and forced air cooling as you drive through the atmosphere .. so you have just made a cold surface for the warm, humid air to condense on.

There are 3 solutions.

Use the aircon as it will dry out the air, dry air has nothing to condense out (it also increases air movement)

Open a window/sunroof, this will also allow the temperature to drop and the humid air to escape.

Stop breathing. 


HTH 

[philsteward]

I had/have the same problem with my saloon.  Check the passenger foot well and see if the carpet is damp if poss lift said carpet and check the thick padding under it mine was damp but when i cut a piece out and took it from the car it was dripping out.  Have you checked the drain at the bottom of were your pollen filter is mite be you getting water in that way but not enought that you would notice.  Do you ahve a sunroof ?

Will check the passenger carpet, but do not think it is damp.  I have cleared out the drain under the pollen filter, it was a bit clogged, but clear now.  Yes do have a sunroof...why?

[philsteward]

Can you hear the flap operating when you press the recirc button?

Thinking about it, I do not remember noticing much when I push the button.  I know on other cars normally the fans get louder or there is some noise to show something has happened, I think I just thought it was a posh quiet system.  I shall check tomorrow.

[dbug]

Don't think this has been covered before, I have done a load of searching and not found anything.

The story...my Omega has an annoying habit of steaming up when it rains.  Climate settings can be anything, as long as ECO is on (air con off).  I can be driving down the motorway, and if it starts raining, within 5mins the car will be badly steamed up.  Only two ways to get rid of it, open a window slightly or put the air con on.  I have changed the pollen filter about 2 months ago, so that should not be the issue.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Marks DTM Calib who did the gearbox updates for me.  He mentioned the recirc trick, and I tried that the last few times but no joy.

Any ideas from anyone as it is very frustrating, and only going to get worse with winter setting in!

Cheers in advance 

You've answered your query mate 

[philsteward]

Steaming up/condensation is caused when high humidity warm air contacts a cold surface.

With the aircon OFF there is very little movement of air in the cabin, if it is raining the humidity is high, add to that the fact that you are breathing out warm, moist air, the humidity inside the car rises quickly, the windscreen gets cold due to rain and forced air cooling as you drive through the atmosphere .. so you have just made a cold surface for the warm, humid air to condense on.

There are 3 solutions.

Use the aircon as it will dry out the air, dry air has nothing to condense out (it also increases air movement)

Open a window/sunroof, this will also allow the temperature to drop and the humid air to escape.

Stop breathing. 


HTH 

Might leave that one for now!
That all makes perfect sense, and is a valid explanation.  But does beg the question why no other car I have ever owned had this problem!
I always always have the internal fan on when driving, drives me mad seeing people with their fans off and the car all steamed up!
Does that mean it is a poor air flow issue?  As it does clear when I open the window or sunroof even just a little bit. I found on another thread about the external air vents on an estate being in the spare wheel well, is that correct?  If so would my torridal LPG tank cause an issue?

[gstylebaby]

I had/have the same problem with my saloon.  Check the passenger foot well and see if the carpet is damp if poss lift said carpet and check the thick padding under it mine was damp but when i cut a piece out and took it from the car it was dripping out.  Have you checked the drain at the bottom of were your pollen filter is mite be you getting water in that way but not enought that you would notice.  Do you ahve a sunroof ?

Will check the passenger carpet, but do not think it is damp.  I have cleared out the drain under the pollen filter, it was a bit clogged, but clear now.  Yes do have a sunroof...why?

It mite be that the sunroof drains are blocked and this could cause the carpet padding to get damp also not sure were they are i still have to do mine but its sat in the garage sorn at the min.........My carpet felt a little damp was not till i got my hand under the padding that i found it was soaked.

It mite be damp from before you cleared the drain out do you have a wet vac???  As you could always try it on the carpet and see if you get any water out of the carpets just an idea mate.

[gstylebaby]

Steaming up/condensation is caused when high humidity warm air contacts a cold surface.

With the aircon OFF there is very little movement of air in the cabin, if it is raining the humidity is high, add to that the fact that you are breathing out warm, moist air, the humidity inside the car rises quickly, the windscreen gets cold due to rain and forced air cooling as you drive through the atmosphere .. so you have just made a cold surface for the warm, humid air to condense on.

There are 3 solutions.

Use the aircon as it will dry out the air, dry air has nothing to condense out (it also increases air movement)

Open a window/sunroof, this will also allow the temperature to drop and the humid air to escape.

Stop breathing. 


HTH 

Might leave that one for now!
That all makes perfect sense, and is a valid explanation.  But does beg the question why no other car I have ever owned had this problem!
I always always have the internal fan on when driving, drives me mad seeing people with their fans off and the car all steamed up!
Does that mean it is a poor air flow issue?  As it does clear when I open the window or sunroof even just a little bit. I found on another thread about the external air vents on an estate being in the spare wheel well, is that correct?  If so would my torridal LPG tank cause an issue?

Yes mate.   Not sure about the tank.

[Webby the Bear]

wouldn't making sure you use the climate control to the level you want solve this issue?  :-/

[Andy B]

...
Does that mean it is a poor air flow issue?   ....

Is there a load of 'stuff' in the boot behind the driver's side panel where the first aid kit would live? There's a vent there. 

[philsteward]

wouldn't making sure you use the climate control to the level you want solve this issue?  :-/

If you mean using the air con then yes it gets rid of the steam straight away.  However my view is that this should not be happening, so if it is it needs fixing not just finding a way round it! 8-)

[philsteward]

...
Does that mean it is a poor air flow issue?   ....

Is there a load of 'stuff' in the boot behind the driver's side panel where the first aid kit would live? There's a vent there. 

Not a bean in my boot, except the spare wheel.  I have not even opened the little cubby holes though, so will have look tomorrow, thanks