Steamy windows....

[blahde2]

Ok, this is not what you were thinking guys n gals, sorry to disappoint, but yes my car is giving me the come on almost every time I start up now.

I noticed a small use of coolant over a big trip a week ago 1800 miles, so much so that it took the level to just below the min line. At around the same time, the car started to steam the windscreen and side windows up immediately after starting, especially if SWMBO has left the heating g on!

Being an engineer I reckon there's a leak in the heater matrix and it's drawing water into the blower box. I noticed no use during the summer and wouldn't expect any as it required cool air to cool us down. The heating was rarely needed.

The coolant light came in for my wife today, but not for me an hour later. Maybe the way the car was angled, but the level was still just below the min line.

My question is this, can anyone recommend a good dealer in Wiltshire (or adjacent county), preferably between Bristol/Bath and Sailsbury? I have no knowledge of any of them so personal experiences would be very welcome.

Ps: anyone else had this problem?

Superb 2.0TDI 150 SEL Combi, 6,800 miles on the clock.

Edited 7 November, 2016 by blahde2

[Q102]

I think been has been mentioned on here a few times.

Condensation on inside of windows could be the windows hot inside/cold outside? (remember the days before home double glazing)

Also, a common issue is that the windows will steam up if the aircon has been switched on the previous journey, moisture will stay in the ducting and cause this effect.

Had it quite often in all the cars I've owned, try turning the aircon off and see it that improves things.

As for the coolant level dropping, wouldn't worry as long it doesn't continue to drop. Any coolant issues would lead to engine overheating as well.

[WolfGunner62]

Ok, this is not what you were thinking guys n gals, sorry to disappoint, but yes my car is giving me the come on almost every time I start up now.

I noticed a small use of coolant over a big trip a week ago 1800 miles, so much so that it took the level to just below the min line. At around the same time, the car started to steam the windscreen and side windows up immediately after starting, especially if SWMBO has left the heating g on!

Being an engineer I reckon there's a leak in the heater matrix and it's drawing water into the blower box. I noticed no use during the summer and wouldn't expect any as it required cool air to cool us down. The heating was rarely needed.

The coolant light came in for my wife today, but not for me an hour later. Maybe the way the car was angled, but the level was still just below the min line.

My question is this, can anyone recommend a good dealer in Wiltshire (or adjacent county), preferably between Bristol/Bath and Sailsbury? I have no knowledge of any of them so personal experiences would be very welcome.

Ps: anyone else had this problem?

Superb 2.0TDI 150 SEL Combi, 6,800 miles on the clock.

I've noticed quite excessive condensation a couple of times now. Once quite severely, only on the rear window, but the last time the windscreen and side windows too and also the plastic covering over the speedometer and rev counter, which took about 10 minutes to clear. I've never had a car do that before! Thank goodness for the heated windscreen, although that took a couple of minutes to clear on the max setting!

[Award1244]

I have a B8 Passat GT estate, rather than the Superb SEL I wanted, due to the delivery time.  I needed a new car after my CRV was written off.

 

But mine has an issue with the coolant disappearing too.  I have filled mine up 3 times over the last 2000 miles.

 

It goes back in on Wednesday for investigation, as it was looked at 3 weeks ago for excess condensation in the DRL's.  I will report back with their conclusion.

 

There is a theory on one of the Passat forums that it is an airlock in the system, and it is hiccuping for want of a better word.  Although mine has now down 7K since May.

[Penuwchian]

Have recently experienced exactly the same issues- first few mornings of frost since I had the car, and the windows have taken ages to clear, with heavy condensation- to the point this morning where I thought it was the de-icer I'd bought which had re-frozen on the outside.

 

Have also had the coolant light come on, with a very slight drop in the coolant level- to just below the min line. Have topped up tonight, so will be interesting to see how quickly it drops- interesting to note there's others with the same issue/niggle, and will be watching this with interest...

[glosrich]

I'd bet that the initial coolant fill at the factory settles during transit to only just above min.

If the dealer fails to top it up at PDI then this is why you're all getting the warning light after a few thousand miles.

For my sins I used to PDI Hyundais and this was an issue with them, but I used to top them up to max.

[blahde2]

Thanks for all the tips. I checked all levels and pressures on collection and noted nothing out of the ordinary.

As for condensation /moisture remaining in the ducting, being that it still occurs when heating is set to hot or cold (when switching off after a journey, with or without the the AC running (it drys the air) and from the cold start (where outside and inside temperatures are the same), I am curious to see what is causing it.

I think it could be a blocked drainage gully (Autumn leaves perhaps) forcing water into the air matrix inlet, and the drop in coolant is a separate problem. Hopefully that is not a coolant pump as that's the only commonly known 2.0ltr diesel fault going.

It is now booked in for a looksee Wednesday week with Erlestoke Skoda. Here's hoping the condensation is caused by something simple, they confirm there is no leak of coolant (airlock), & that they adjust my Xenons up to the highest setting allowed in VAG COM. I don't like driving at night as the headlights in my opinion are focused way too close. The city light function doesn't seem to turn itself off even when up to 60+mph on an unlit A road so I will meniton that as the reason.

Also considering an oil + filter change... but not yet decided on doing it.

Edited 9 November, 2016 by blahde2

[Award1244]

Update for the Passat.

 

Been into Inchcape Bolton this morning and they have pressure tested the coolant system and there is nothing to report, despite losing approximately 1/4 of an inch of coolant in the 3 weeks since they last looked at it.

 

They have advised to keep an eye on it.

 

The only good thing, i have not suffered the excess condensation inside the car that you are affected by.

 

I also got them to rotate the tyres too as the Continentals on the front are at 4mm after 7K.