Condensation problem

Condensation problem

Author
Discussion

Nigel lewis

Original Poster:

1,585 posts

272 months

Friday 7th June 2002
quotequote all
Having had the car now for 4 weeks, I have had a continuing problem with condensation building up, directly behind the instrument binicle at the bottom edge of the windscreen.
The top of the dash almosts touches the windscreen, which makes it difficult to clean the screen and remove the water. You can just get a sheet of kitchen roll between the two surfaces to mop up the water.
I have to wipe it every single time I take the car out, and it looks unsightly from outside. I guess its because there is not enough clear air able to circulate between the two surfaces, and with the heat comming from the engine, causes the condensation to form there. It seems to be a design fault to me. I am concerned, as in time if the water is left to sit there, it will cause mould to form and ruin the hide.
Is anyone else suffering the same problem? and any idea as to how to stop it.

GreenV8S

30,479 posts

291 months

Friday 7th June 2002
quotequote all
quote:
Having had the car now for 4 weeks, I have had a continuing problem with condensation building up, directly behind the instrument binicle at the bottom edge of the windscreen.
The top of the dash almosts touches the windscreen, which makes it difficult to clean the screen and remove the water. You can just get a sheet of kitchen roll between the two surfaces to mop up the water.
I have to wipe it every single time I take the car out, and it looks unsightly from outside. I guess its because there is not enough clear air able to circulate between the two surfaces, and with the heat comming from the engine, causes the condensation to form there. It seems to be a design fault to me. I am concerned, as in time if the water is left to sit there, it will cause mould to form and ruin the hide.
Is anyone else suffering the same problem? and any idea as to how to stop it.



Fix the water leak so the car isn't damp in the first place?

Nigel lewis

Original Poster:

1,585 posts

272 months

Friday 7th June 2002
quotequote all
There is no leakage from anywhere, that is the problem. It is condensation that forms after the heat from the engine transfers upwards.
I have seen it on several other Tamora's, which makes me think that it is a common problem.
I had a Griffith prior to the Tamora, and the top of the dash is not close to the screen, and you can get to all of the glass area. Whereas on the Tamora, the top of the dash literally is about a millimetre away from the screen behind the instrument binicle,and you carn't get at the glass at all.

>> Edited by Nigel lewis on Friday 7th June 21:37

Drizzle

16 posts

271 months

Friday 7th June 2002
quotequote all
.

This doesn't happen on mine, sounds like a visit to the dealers. I would want this looked at ASAP as the moisture is coming from somewhere.

.

nubbin

6,809 posts

285 months

Saturday 8th June 2002
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Could be a leak from the heater air ducts behind the dash - the dash cavity is basically a mixing box for heater air - could that be blowing onto a cold screen and causing the problem?

hexhamhc

456 posts

290 months

Saturday 8th June 2002
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I would think it likely that your screen has a pin hole in the sealing around the windscreen. The bottom finisher can be removed and the seal back filled to cure the problem or at worst a remove and refit of the screen. Have a word with your dealer and I'm sure they'll be happy to get this sorted.

Nigel lewis

Original Poster:

1,585 posts

272 months

Saturday 8th June 2002
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. I am going into the dealers next week to book it in. It will be interesting to see what the cause is. I will post on here once fixed.
Thanks.

flasher

9,238 posts

291 months

Saturday 8th June 2002
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I'm not getting that problem Nigel, and I can just clean my glass....although it's pretty tight.

dicky

928 posts

291 months

Sunday 9th June 2002
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I get the condensation as well, she is back in to Mole valley after Le Mans to have a few more niggles sorted out. So will definately tell them to try and sort it.Car so far going well, apart from the warrenty bits which i can live with,

dougie

94 posts

289 months

Monday 10th June 2002
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This happens on mine as well (and the dealers new demo car). Likewise I cannot get to that part of the screen to clear it. My dealer suggested using the air vents and fan to clear it. Would be very interested in finding out how a dealer fixes it. Am not too keen on taking the windscreen out as I appear to be leak free elsewhere and wouldn't want to fix that problem and get another one !!!

lrussell5

567 posts

270 months

Monday 10th June 2002
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same here but I only had to clear it once. used a palette knife (ask the missus - its long flat and thin but blunt!) with kitchen roll (erm ask the missus again). was easy to do that way

Nigel lewis

Original Poster:

1,585 posts

272 months

Monday 10th June 2002
quotequote all
With the vents open, and the fan switched on, it dosen't reach that far accross the dash to clear it.
Once the car has completely cooled down and in the garage, you can clear it away and the screen stays clear. But once the engine is started, and heat is generated, then the condenstaion is straight back, and no matter how many times you clear it up, it comes straight back.
Although I don't really want the screen taken out, I think that inevitably, that is going to be the final outcome.Am going into the dealers tomorrow.

gb61390

1,879 posts

289 months

Monday 10th June 2002
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I've got the same problem but luckily for me it only happens on the passenger side and when I'm in and out of the car a few times on a rainy day. The vents do clear it after a few minutes though.
I'm assuming it's a problem with the windscreen seal at the point where the condensation occurs?
Cheers.... Andrew

frostie

428 posts

282 months

Monday 10th June 2002
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I haven't seen this myself but I do have aircon which is usually on.

Judging by the number of people seeing this it would seem that there is either a design flaw somewhere or problems during the build process. I have taken to emailing/calling the factory on these sorts of issues as they shouldn't happen in my opinion. In my past experiences I am not sure whether the dealers communicate these types of issues back to the factory readily enough.

Mark

bizzbozz

40 posts

270 months

Monday 10th June 2002
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I did rounds of several dealers (surrey, north london, leicester) this weekend, and every single one I saw had this problem and non of the dealers knew how to solve it either.

Nigel lewis

Original Poster:

1,585 posts

272 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2002
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Car has been at the dealers this week, for a niggles to be sorted out.
The dealers have spoken to the factory about the condensation problem on the inside of the front screen, and they have told them to remove and reseal the screen. This should be being done this afternoon.
dicky,dougie, you said that you also had the same problem. Have you had any joy in getting it sorted?
I will be glad to get the car back now, they have had it now for nearly 2 weeks, seems like forever.

dougie

94 posts

289 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2002
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Nope, but at the moment I would prefer to have the car. I am also not too keen on them removing the seal, it appears pretty watertight now so don't want to ruin that. What other "niggles" are they sorting. If you don't want to post, could you drop me an e-mail via my profile, I am interested in what I should be looking out for.

joospeed

4,473 posts

285 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2002
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the Tamora I've got in at the moment also has this problem .. it's defo the screen which isn't sealed on this car. must be getting better at TVR though cos there's a list with only 13 things to attend to ..

Nigel lewis

Original Poster:

1,585 posts

272 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2002
quotequote all
dougie, collected the car tonight.
the following niggles were sorted by the dealer, mainly bodywork items.
1.the boot lid had not been aligned properly when it left the factory, so it had rubbed against the bodywork everytime it was opened and shut, and was starting to wear through the paint. they have now re-aligned it and touched in the paint.
2.bottom of passenger door was catching on the top of the sill,and again was wearing the paint away on the sill. Door has been re-aligned and the sill repainted.
3. There is a moulding joint in the body straight above the front wheels, this had not been fully smoothed out on the near side wing at the factory before the body was painted, and the joint line stood proud. They have had to sand this smooth and re-paint the front wing.
4.Water was getting into the boot. the reversing light had not been sealed in properly, and water was getting in. this just needed a bit more sealer applied.
I must say, Castle's had done a fantastic job on the paintwork. It really is first class.
The windscreen still hasn't been done, and will have to go back. Apparently, there is a high chance that the screen will crack when being removed, so rather than take the chance, and then have to wait while anew one comes in. They are going to order one, and then do it.
I must say, there has ben No mechanical problems at all,(2,000 miles now).
Anyway, after the drive home in it, after not having it for 10 days, the grin is back, bigger than ever

nubbin

6,809 posts

285 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2002
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Are you servicing Tamoras already, Joolz? I must come and see you!