Discussion
My poor baby seems to be taking the winter weather particularly badly...
Unfortunatley I only have an outside parking space which I'm sure doesn't help.
The windscreen is constantly misted, even with the vents on full blast for 15 minutes it's not clearing the condensation. I've been having to use a rag and some serious elbow grease just to get the screen to a condition were I can drive and see at the same time! Does anyone know if there's something I can put on the inside windscreen to help get rid of the moisture?
My boot is also constantly wet. It looks like heavy condensation [possibly caused by having a hot engine inchesfrom the boot space] is collecting on the inside of the lid and dripping all over boot content...Anyone else having the same problem?
Finally and most annoyingly the alarms playing up. Is it possible that some of the wiring / electronics have goet damp? It rarely arms properly [i.e. get the constant 'somethings still open' tone] and on the occasions it does arm the alarm is constantly tripping. I don't think it's the normal cabin light / alarm cross wiring issue that seems to crop up alot as I assume it would have surfaced long before the rain...Any ideas anyone? Is it possible to water proof the alarm gubbins??
Q.
Unfortunatley I only have an outside parking space which I'm sure doesn't help.
The windscreen is constantly misted, even with the vents on full blast for 15 minutes it's not clearing the condensation. I've been having to use a rag and some serious elbow grease just to get the screen to a condition were I can drive and see at the same time! Does anyone know if there's something I can put on the inside windscreen to help get rid of the moisture?
My boot is also constantly wet. It looks like heavy condensation [possibly caused by having a hot engine inchesfrom the boot space] is collecting on the inside of the lid and dripping all over boot content...Anyone else having the same problem?
Finally and most annoyingly the alarms playing up. Is it possible that some of the wiring / electronics have goet damp? It rarely arms properly [i.e. get the constant 'somethings still open' tone] and on the occasions it does arm the alarm is constantly tripping. I don't think it's the normal cabin light / alarm cross wiring issue that seems to crop up alot as I assume it would have surfaced long before the rain...Any ideas anyone? Is it possible to water proof the alarm gubbins??
Q.
1. Your windscreen is misted because of the amount of moisture inside the car. Take the roof off during the day (it's actually sunny today) to ventilate and it should help. Refit the roof carefully to avoid it leaking next time it rains. Consider putting a shower cap over the car as well as the roof when you're parking overnight or during heavy rain.
2. Your boot may be filling up with rain water from the channel the boot lid sits in when it's closed. Lift the lid and take a look at where the drain holes go. IIRC there should be a pipe to take the water away and if it's not there the water just runs into the boot.
3. Possibly to do with damp, but more likely a door (incl. front/rear lids) sensor not making full contact. This happened to me once and I followed the procedure in the manual for finding the sensor that was at fault. The beeps/flashes tell you which sensor is at fault. I adjusted my front lid and it's been fine ever since. Hint: take your car somewhere remote to do the procedure as it involves setting the alarm off a lot.
2. Your boot may be filling up with rain water from the channel the boot lid sits in when it's closed. Lift the lid and take a look at where the drain holes go. IIRC there should be a pipe to take the water away and if it's not there the water just runs into the boot.
3. Possibly to do with damp, but more likely a door (incl. front/rear lids) sensor not making full contact. This happened to me once and I followed the procedure in the manual for finding the sensor that was at fault. The beeps/flashes tell you which sensor is at fault. I adjusted my front lid and it's been fine ever since. Hint: take your car somewhere remote to do the procedure as it involves setting the alarm off a lot.
Not sure where you can get this but silica gel would help. You know the stuff you get in the little sachet when you buy a new pair of trainers.
It basically absorbs moisture, your gonna need more than one sachet!!
I think it can be reused by drying it out in a very low oven, not sure if this has to be a specific type.
It basically absorbs moisture, your gonna need more than one sachet!!
I think it can be reused by drying it out in a very low oven, not sure if this has to be a specific type.
You can get anti fogging stuff from Halfords (apparently).
The condensation in your boot may be caused by a massive pudle under the carpet and rubber heat shield stuff. Pull it all up and take a look. If there's a bit puddle check the drain pipe is still attached to the drainage hole (next to boot catch) and is exiting in the offside wheel arch.
The dodgy alarm could be caused by water in the alarm bobbins at the boot catch.
The condensation in your boot may be caused by a massive pudle under the carpet and rubber heat shield stuff. Pull it all up and take a look. If there's a bit puddle check the drain pipe is still attached to the drainage hole (next to boot catch) and is exiting in the offside wheel arch.
The dodgy alarm could be caused by water in the alarm bobbins at the boot catch.
Rain x do an anti fog product which is OK, but not brilliant, it does improve things though.
Also while you are in Halfords, look for 'moisture mate' (i think - basically a big tub of silica gel type stuff) which is with all the caravanning stuff, I haven't used it yet but I'm planning to position it in the big scoop in the dash overnight and at work to absorb the moisture.
Also it occurred to me that it might be worth closing the dash vents overnight? might reduce moisture as there is no filter on the vents IIRC...
...if anyone thinks that may be a good/bad thing let me know!
Ta, CH
Also while you are in Halfords, look for 'moisture mate' (i think - basically a big tub of silica gel type stuff) which is with all the caravanning stuff, I haven't used it yet but I'm planning to position it in the big scoop in the dash overnight and at work to absorb the moisture.
Also it occurred to me that it might be worth closing the dash vents overnight? might reduce moisture as there is no filter on the vents IIRC...
...if anyone thinks that may be a good/bad thing let me know!
Ta, CH
You can get chemical dehumidifier packs from the big DIY stores - designed for damp caravans etc., I think.
Basically a plastic box the size of a small toolbox, with a perforated lid, with a mesh bag full of water absorbant crystals inside. The crystals soak up the water, turning to liquid themselves in the process. The liquid then collects in the bottom of the box, so you can pour it down the drain.
Refill bags of crystals are about a fiver a pack, if I remember rightly, but be warned that if they have a lot of moisture to absorb, they disappear pretty quickly. Also, remember to remove (or at least empty) the dehumidifier box before you actually drive the car, because I think the liquid chemical residue may be caustic enough to attack aluminium if it spilt.
On the upside, though,I used to use these in a '60's Elan I had which lived outside and leaked like a sieve. Without the crystals, the carpet was sopping wet and growing fungus within days. With them it was bone dry - they really do work!
>> Edited by Martin Stuart on Thursday 27th November 20:24
Basically a plastic box the size of a small toolbox, with a perforated lid, with a mesh bag full of water absorbant crystals inside. The crystals soak up the water, turning to liquid themselves in the process. The liquid then collects in the bottom of the box, so you can pour it down the drain.
Refill bags of crystals are about a fiver a pack, if I remember rightly, but be warned that if they have a lot of moisture to absorb, they disappear pretty quickly. Also, remember to remove (or at least empty) the dehumidifier box before you actually drive the car, because I think the liquid chemical residue may be caustic enough to attack aluminium if it spilt.
On the upside, though,I used to use these in a '60's Elan I had which lived outside and leaked like a sieve. Without the crystals, the carpet was sopping wet and growing fungus within days. With them it was bone dry - they really do work!
>> Edited by Martin Stuart on Thursday 27th November 20:24
seanster said:
Not sure where you can get this but silica gel would help. You know the stuff you get in the little sachet.
quixotic
if you e-mail your address I can send you hand full of this stuff. I dont know how much it will help but if you take the others advice as well it surely wont hurt.
Had similar problems myself! 
1. Misting screen - as others have already mentioned, probably from moisture in the car itself. Do your windows leak? There may be water under the seats/in the footwells. Otherwise, another thing it could be is a leak from the heater matrix. Rare but I've seen them generate more condensation than the heater is trying to clear!
2. Water in the boot - I've had this and put it down to condensation. Haven't really found a way round it yet, but the silica crystals has helped (I velcro'd a box up against the boot carpet)
3. Alarm playing up - my problem was the boot sensor...which I've temporarity disconnected. Basically it seemed that moisture was getting in the multiplug and causing the alarm to go off when it felt like it! If you disconnect the plug, it effectively acts as if the boot is closed and you can alarm as usual.
Hope this helps...I'd also recommend the shower cover though (mine just goes over the cab section) No more water leaks!
(obviously not a good idea to use whilst driving though 
)
1. Misting screen - as others have already mentioned, probably from moisture in the car itself. Do your windows leak? There may be water under the seats/in the footwells. Otherwise, another thing it could be is a leak from the heater matrix. Rare but I've seen them generate more condensation than the heater is trying to clear!
2. Water in the boot - I've had this and put it down to condensation. Haven't really found a way round it yet, but the silica crystals has helped (I velcro'd a box up against the boot carpet)
3. Alarm playing up - my problem was the boot sensor...which I've temporarity disconnected. Basically it seemed that moisture was getting in the multiplug and causing the alarm to go off when it felt like it! If you disconnect the plug, it effectively acts as if the boot is closed and you can alarm as usual.
Hope this helps...I'd also recommend the shower cover though (mine just goes over the cab section) No more water leaks!
(obviously not a good idea to use whilst driving though )The alarm problem is almost always the copper contacts getting wet and oxidising. This can happen on either door (this is most common), the engine cover, or the front hood. Just take the switches off in turn - start with the door switches (this solved my problem so I havent done the other 2) - clean the copper contacts with a bit of wet & dry , dry it out, put it back on. Will take about 20 mins to do the lot.
Cheers guys. I'll give cleaning the contacts a go, hopefully this may improve current neighbour relations!!
Luckily I have a hard top which I belatedly thought might solve a few dampness issues. Unluckily I've just discovered that the left most of the three nuts in the front of the hard top has been cross threaded, so I can't put the damned thing on without side being a bit loose...
I had a crack at rescrewing the bolt in straight to try and re-thread the nut but wasn't having much success. Didn't want to push it too much as I'm afraid of doing more damage than good. Is this the sort of thing I can get sorted out at a normal garage or do I need to go to a lotus specialist???
Luckily I have a hard top which I belatedly thought might solve a few dampness issues. Unluckily I've just discovered that the left most of the three nuts in the front of the hard top has been cross threaded, so I can't put the damned thing on without side being a bit loose...
I had a crack at rescrewing the bolt in straight to try and re-thread the nut but wasn't having much success. Didn't want to push it too much as I'm afraid of doing more damage than good. Is this the sort of thing I can get sorted out at a normal garage or do I need to go to a lotus specialist???
Re the cross thread have not seen one in real life so not sure how much metal you have around the hole so this is just general engineering advice - but I’m guessing you just cant replace the nut without major surgery?
Options are
If its just cross threaded and not stripped - buy a tap set and see if you can straighten out the thread in the nut - it will be lose but OK with some blue thread lock.
However if the nut is stripped of all thread get a 'helicoil' fitted - most garages will be able to advise - it involves cutting in a new steel spring into the inside of the nut that results in the same size thread. Should not cost a fortune.
Options are
If its just cross threaded and not stripped - buy a tap set and see if you can straighten out the thread in the nut - it will be lose but OK with some blue thread lock.
However if the nut is stripped of all thread get a 'helicoil' fitted - most garages will be able to advise - it involves cutting in a new steel spring into the inside of the nut that results in the same size thread. Should not cost a fortune.
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