Horror in the Garage

I always seem to get heavy condensation. Even just overnight....

I would suggest leaving the windows open about an inch. I take it the cover is a breathable one?

Sorry if I'm not much help...

You have done possibly the worst thing possible! Covering the warm car. This has caused the condensation. You need to leave the windows open about 2 or 3 inches and park her up. When the inside is the same temp as outside the car, cover it. I also pop the bonnet and boot. Allow airflow around the car.

8Tech.

Are you sure covering a warm car is that much of a problem with a good quality breathable cover? I have often done this without -it would seem- any problems...

I would say its a bit of both, the cover I have had warnings all over it saying to make sure the car is completely cool before applying the cover.
Also keeping the windows open ajar would help with airflow.

Interestingly, I was writing a piece about owning classic cars recently and all of the experts whom I spoke to advised against covering your car if you plan on storing it in a garage, even if it's a breathable cover. They also said that you should make sure you allow airflow through your garage.

Zitat von Wildatheart;56781

Are you sure covering a warm car is that much of a problem with a good quality breathable cover? I have often done this without -it would seem- any problems...

Would be ok in the summer when outside temperature is higher as its the temperature difference and humidity that makes it condensate. If everything is cold, it will not condensate.

Zitat von Seb;56871

all of the experts whom I spoke to advised against covering your car if you plan on storing it in a garage, even if it's a breathable cover.

Out of interest, what was their reasoning?

Steve,

Have you ever had this before with the cover on?
Have you ever had this happen with the cover off?

Just thoughts....

Water vapour is a gas and mixes with air. Any water you can see is liquid water.
The warmer the air, the more water it can hold in the mixture - up to about 4% - which is a lot of water.

As you drive through a cold misty atmosphere, that air and visble water mix goes through your heater and as the temperature is pushed up, the water evaporates and you get toasty "dry" air in the cabin.
However - unless you used the air con as a drier, to condense out the water, the air contains as much water as it did when it was outside - it's just not liquid.
What is more, we breathe out large quantities of water vapour into the cabin and tend not to have windows open in Winter to let it disperse - the quality of a vehicle's "thru'flow" ventilation plays a part here.

All is well until the temperature begins to fall when we park up, the air reaches its saturation point and the water condenses.

If there is ventilation the problem is reduced, but any kind of cover will hinder the circulation of air to some extent. Even very permeable covers can only breathe by diffusion, which is a slow and gradual process.

One trick I used to try with some success with a previous car was to open the doors for a couple of minutes before putting on the cover. Feels wrong letting in that cold "damp" air, but in reality you will let out the far more potential dampness than you 'll let in.

Sorry - years of teaching Science is hard to shake off.

Steve,

Like you I've had a new condenser/dryer etc., etc.,
But.........none of those wringing wet symptoms inside.....

It's stored in a garage (heated at night) and sometimes has to be put away when its still wet. Windows always closed.

Something's not right....
Hope it's not the evaporator.....

Try this:
get a large bag of the "crystals"-type cat litter (preferably un-scented unless you just like the way it smells), put it in a cloth sack (ex- a small pillow case) and leave it on the dash.

The stuff is a moisture absorbing media, much like the desiccant used in electronics packaging, just larger crystals.

Regards,
M.R.

That doesn't sound right.

One possibilty could be a blocked drain in the heater box. I don't know how the 8's is configured, but condensate or even just water from washing your car can collect in the bottom of the heater of some cars if the drain is blocked.

The result would be warm air evaporating this water and pushing into the cab making the air far more humid than normal, causing excess condensation.

A quick check is to see if the car is dripping water underneath with the air con working.

May be a non-starter, but guess you'd rather have too many ideas than not enough.

Leave the car cover off,put the car in the Garage over the weekend with a household dehumidifier inside the cabin ,you will be amazed at what comes out.

Now you should be back to square one, dont cover the car for a while & I'd also bet you will be able to leave it outside with the interior iceing;-)

I have to say Ukzero's suggestion sounds like the answer, as one of my other cars suffered exactly the same problem and that was blocked drainage.