Condensation inside gauge glass
#1
Condensation inside gauge glass
I took my S3 out for it's first drive in heavy rain today. It ran fine, with no discernible leaks. The only thing that I didn't like was the condensation inside the glass of all the gauges, making them very hard to read. Is this a common problem? & more importantly is it a sign of a deeper malaise? Like rust bubbles around the windscreen are, which my car hasn't got BTW, thankfully! But should I be concerned about how the moisture is finding it's way inside my gauges? & what's the best way to stop it happening? Because, serious or not, it's bloody annoying, & I want it gone!
Ideas?
Ideas?
#2
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#3
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#5
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I don't want to be an alarmist. You have singled out a window leak as not probable.
That leaves at least two suspect points:
1. The heater matrix. Run the demist/defroster. Sweetish deposit on the windscreen interior? That is coolant!!! Been there in anther critter. Swapping out the Matrix only a bit fiddly, far easier than on Jaguars.
2. Clogged Gaiters from the air intake pan. Water pond there from which air laden with moisture is drawn in.
Carl
That leaves at least two suspect points:
1. The heater matrix. Run the demist/defroster. Sweetish deposit on the windscreen interior? That is coolant!!! Been there in anther critter. Swapping out the Matrix only a bit fiddly, far easier than on Jaguars.
2. Clogged Gaiters from the air intake pan. Water pond there from which air laden with moisture is drawn in.
Carl
#6
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The quick cure is to let the car sit in bright hot conditions with the windows open.
#7
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#8
#9
We're talking tropical downpour here. It was absolutely bucketing down & I could barely see the road with the wipers on full speed! So there was plenty of the wet stuff about. The car's stored in a dry, well ventilated shed. But in those conditions the atmosphere is so damp (95% humidity!) that moisture just gets everywhere. I guess all the gauges rubbers are perished, which isn't surprising given thee age of the car. I'll just try some of the easier fixes first, though I doubt the lights on trick will work, as my lights were on from the moment I drove out of my drive.
#11
I have a series 2 that also suffers from the same problem of misting of the instruments every winter. I would add that it very rarely gets driven these days. Nevertheless, when I took it for its annual MOT last month, sure enough, the instruments were misted. The UK is, of course, well known for its high humidity - especially in winter.
#13
Well I found out where the water's been flooding in. My Boot/Trunk Seal's gone. It still looks good, not perished or anything. But the water's just gushing in over the lip that runs below the rear window. It's draining out alright, through the hole in the spare wheel well. & it doesn't look to have caused any corrosion. But then it lived in a shed where I bought it from, & was only used on sunny days for club runs. & it's been in my shed since it got here too. So it probably never got wet before. It certainly didn't smell mouldy when I bought it. I wouldn't have sussed it except I took it for a run in the rain, & even then it wasn't until I lifted the boot/trunk lid a couple of weeks later that i saw how damp the carpets were. The sound dampening panel that sits up under the rear parcel shelf had fallen off, & was just a swollen smelly lump on the floor. The only visible casualty inside the cabin is the seats have gone mouldy. But that's actually a blessing as it proves they're real leather, because I was sure they were vinyl.
So, does anyone know the best (i.e. cheapest) place to get a new seal? Or is there anyway to resurrect my old seal, so it becomes watertight again?
Thanks
So, does anyone know the best (i.e. cheapest) place to get a new seal? Or is there anyway to resurrect my old seal, so it becomes watertight again?
Thanks
Last edited by scatcat; 02-19-2017 at 06:56 PM.
#14
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scatcat (02-20-2017)
#15
Many thanks Doug. Jagbits did have the cheapest I could find, which is strange, because I couldn't find it on a search of their website, previously. Anyway it's ordered & winging it's way to me by snail mail (who knew they had wings?)
Are there any tips & tricks I should know about replacing the rubber, or is it as straightforward as most other cars?
Are there any tips & tricks I should know about replacing the rubber, or is it as straightforward as most other cars?
#16
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It's the easiest thing you'll ever do on your jag. Just pull the old one off and press the new one on. Your fingers are the only tools needed!
Cheers
DD
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scatcat (02-20-2017)