Condensation on Inside of Windscreen

[rec]

I keep getting condensation on the inside of my windscreen if the car's parked up for a long time (ie over night, or as an example today at Autosport).

any ideas ?

[Restyle]

More details rqd ..

Does it ever do if parked up inside Garage ?
Does it do it both on wet & dry days / nights ?
Does it happen after AC has been used ?
Has it only just started doing it, or since new ?
Have you got the sunroof ?
Any other glass involved ?

[rec]

Does it ever do if parked up inside Garage ? what's one of those then ?!
Does it do it both on wet & dry days / nights ? well, it was beautiful all day today, still did it parked up. does it when cold.
Does it happen after AC has been used ? i have AC on all the time, but I dont leave the AC on when I'm asleep ;]
Has it only just started doing it, or since new ? only started doing it. seems it happened since BMW replaced one of the metal sills.
Have you got the sunroof ? no
Any other glass involved ? only the windscreen it seems.

it might be attributed to the fact that i've been running the aircon on very hot recently ?

[Restyle]

Quote:

it might be attributed to the fact that i've been running the aircon on very hot recently

I think the AC removes a certain amount of moisture from the circulated air so its unlikely to be that ..
But .. Might be an idea to see if it still does it when you dont use the aircon.
{Personally cant see the point of using AC in the winter, & only used it a couple of times last summer, although people say its best to switch it on at least once a month to prevent things like airlocks in the system}

Quote:

...seems it happened since BMW replaced one of the metal sills.

The Door step sills? ... If so then I`d be closely looking at the door seal in that area, & might be an idea to get someone to spray a waterhose around that area whilst your in the car. If even a drop enters, then thats the problem.

[rec]

dunno why they'd have to remove a door seal to replace a little metal thing with Cooper on it, but i did notice there were 3 things on the warranty sheet, rather than just 1... :/
will call them tomorrow i think.

[Root Ginger]

Quote: Originally Posted by rec (original)

dunno why they'd have to remove a door seal to replace a little metal thing with Cooper on it, but i did notice there were 3 things on the warranty sheet, rather than just 1... :/
will call them tomorrow i think.

They may have replaced the whole sill and that would explain the need to remove the rubber.

[rec]

hmmm, that is quite interesting actually. i will have to have a chat :]

[Pentagon]

my R56 MCS is booked in on wednesday as the condensation/ water inside doesnt go away, I've tried running the AC on max heat with recirc and also went on a two hour drive, neither worked. I think its the windscreen

[rec]

i spoke to someone today and he said that it happens when the aircon is used in cold weather. apparently the pipes cool or something, frost up, and then defrost into a drain pipe. he said this might be blocked and to put hands on carpets to see if there is any dampness.

mine didn't do it this morning, and hasn't done it all day, tho I will check if it's done it tomorrow and update. i'll go for a week and then see if the problem persists, if it does i'll run it into BMW for a day's diagnostics.

[Martin F]

The trouble with using Recirculate is that the damp air stays in the car rather than being replaced by drier air from outside. Full heat without recirculate might be better.

[rec]

i dont use recirculate... ever.

[Restyle]

Rec, Have you seen this post from Paul Mullet concerning, amongst other things, a Water Ingress problem in his R56.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-f...-my-s-due.html#
Could be related ?

[rec]

ooh, thanks :]

[jasonc]

no problems, as stated below its if you use the A/C during the winter and keep it on, its quite normal so i've been told!

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by jasonc

....its if you use the A/C during the winter and keep it on, its quite normal so i've been told!

I`m no expert on this, but I cant see how having the AC on in whatever season would lead to excessive condensation on the inside of the car, especially as it one of its functions is to reduce humidity from the air & deposit it to an exterior drain.

See :- How Automotive Air Conditioning Systems Work

Interestingly, that article mentions that one of the symptoms of a faulty AC is excessive water build up inside the car.
I also found a similar fault on the RAC forums >> Ford Focus moisture inside and gauge not working - RAC Motoring Forum

So it seems that far from this condition being "Normal", it is far more likely to be the result of a faulty component or leak