I have an odd issue with 97 XJR. There is an oily film coating the inside surface of all my windows, is worse on the front side windows but is also present on windshield and back glass. If I clean the glass it is clear for a day or two then the build up returns. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any ideas what may be causing it? Suspect it could be from the AC system but think that if was refrigerant oil from AC leak the system would be out of refrigerant by now.

 

Are you sure your olfactory system is working? I suspect it is ethylene glycol from the heater matrix.

 

If the heater core isn't leaking then I strongly suspect you're seeing the results of 'outgassing' from the interior plastics/vinyl.

I had the very same problem with my XJR....and a few other cars in the past. Very annoying. Worse in warm weather.

I'm not aware of a cure.

Cheers
DD

 

I would second on the heater core leak. I had a a/c cooling unit suffer a sudden leak and it looked a smoke bomb had gone off inside. Once it was empty though it stopped. On a '97 the "outgassing" would have occurred during the first year or so.

 

Hmmm, perhaps so.

But at 20 years old my XJR glass was constantly developing that oily film....and the heater didn't leak.

Not sure what else would account for it

Cheers
DD

 

Do you treat the seats with Connolly Hide Food or a similar cream product?

As this dries off in a closed car it can leave a film on the inside of the glass.

Graham

 

I used primarily Lexol and Aero 303.

In the back of my mind I was wondering if leather or vinyl conditioners might be causing the problem....which seems entirely plausible. If so, the effect lingers on for *weeks*. Clean glass, wait a week, clean glass again, repeat, repeat, repeat. Year after year after year

I suppose a person could not use any interior conditioners at all for a few months and see if the problem goes away.

Cheers
DD

 

ALL my jags since the 1972 XJ6 I bought in the mid seventies seem to leave a film on the inner glass surfaces. My wife notices it more than me!!!!!!!

Nature of the beast???

bob

 

This also happens on some of my older cars too. I have no idea why. The XJR seems OK so far.