Condensation on inside of windscreen!!

[cjl_rocco88]

When it's cold out, ie frost on outside of windscreen I get condensation or if cold enough frost on the inside of the windscreen, other Windows fog up dead easy too.
Many other people get this? I've heard it can help to have the air con looked at/ serviced but will be annoyed if I pay for this and it doesn't fix the problem.
Ive tried bags of rice on the dash at night but not exactly effective or a long term fix. Car is too new for this to happen surely. I used to get this on a similarly aged fiesta, is it just my bad luck?

[dimexi]

I don't know if this is a silly answer, but there is moisture in air - there is always air inside your car, so a significant temp difference in some areas will ALWAYS create moisture condensation. The most likely time it forms is probably when you first leave your car for the night

I have NEVER had frost on the inside of my car though, cos that means there has to be a considerable amount of water droplets

[Cuprabob]

Do you use your car for short journeys as that can make the issue worse, especially in cold damp conditions like we have now. Also the shallow rake of the windscreen doesn't help.

Keep your air con enabled as the as that dries the cabin air reducing condensation. However, air con is automatically disabled below ambient of 5 degrees which is why you get more condensation inside on colder mornings as the as it is not being dried.

[whiteDevil_170]

Nothing you can do about it tbh. Had my car new for over 3 years now and it's always done it. Only thing I have found that prevents it is every night when I leave my car I place 2 silica gel bags on top of the dash. Each end of the dashboard below the windscreen. And in the morning take it off. No condensation. But this is something that has to be done daily. If I don't do it and it's cold and I get condensation then it takes an absolute age to get rid of.

[Wadeya001]

Stupid answer but it works especially if you have leather seats get a sock (ideally a football sock) and fill it with cat litter take the other sock and roll it over the other end to make a sock sausage filled with cat litter. Now put that in your car and problem solved if you put it on your dash it works best.

Google search it silica cat litter is best if your buying the stuff for this purpose.

[cjl_rocco88]

Haha, well you say nothing I can do about it n I was beginning to believe that. Anyway I found myself with the afternoon off work and also after having had the timing belt changed yesterday and still hearing a squeaking noise I thought I'll visit my local vag specialist and see if anyone can have a listen and I could also ask him about the moisture.
Anyway, glad I did! He asked about the mats being wet n I told them I had tried bringing them into my flat each night n knew they were bone dry. He proceeded to lift the mat and push down on the footwell of the passenger side this revealing how saturated in water the whole section of carpet is!!
Could probs keep fish underneath there! He told me that around one car a week is comin in with the same issue and conveniently for me he had a mk4 golf having just that done where he had to remove seats centre console and carpet to firstly find the leak, then repair it then test it. Also he noticed my car didn't have an original VW windscreen so that might be it but thought unlikely as it was previous owner n that's nearly three years ago.
It's gonna be in for a couple days n might cost around £200 but at least it will be dry in there. It must only be getting worse this winter as I'm amazed it doesn't stink yet with how wet it is underfoot!! Guy in the garage says common in VW Audi and even more so in Porsches.
Then on my way home the headlight blew!! It never rains but it pours, at least soon my car will be waterproof!

[Roy_01]

If your carpet is wet then there can be something wrong with the watering channel under your windscreen, maybe mud or dirt behind the mudflaps on your front wheelarcs. Or a leaking waterbox where the ecu is mounted. (under the wiperarms). And if you have a panoroma roof i could also be caused by the watering channels running trough the a-pillar. And a clogged up airconditioning condensate pipe could also occur but not likely this period of year.

[cjl_rocco88]

Yeah that is what the guy at the vag place was saying, hopefully he finds where it is gettin in without too much trouble. It even struck me on the way to the garage that maybe moisture was gettin in because where my roof bars attach to the roof that have to go under the seals. But don't think that is an issue now when I see how wet it is on the floor. I knew I was pushing my luck by thinking how lucky I've been in owning this car with zero problems esp when I read about stuff on here!
Having said that turns out the squeak I'm hearing will be the alternator belt or the air con pump belt. Think I will just have to put up with it for the time being!

[cjl_rocco88]

Just an update for anyone interested.
After finally getting my car back from a local German car specialist, they diagnosed my water leak to be due to the passenger door seal no longer sealing because of damage done to the seal by the roof bars. The roof bars are now off the car and two door seals fitted (2 seals needed per side) at the cost of £90 and 4x£55 for the labour.
So I have been lightened of £375 for a job that shouldn't have needed done. Arnold Clark VW where the bars were bought and fitted are going to refund me the labour as a goodwill gesture but as I didn't take the car to them about the water leak that is all they are willing to do.
When I phoned VW AC about the water leak the soonest they would look at it was 2nd of May (me phoning beginning of Feb) so that's why I took it elsewhere.
I'm pretty pissed off, and not willing to fit roof bars to a scirocco again. Bad design as it is effectively lifting the seal away from the door frame.
As it is now I will awaIt a phone call from the parts dept at the AC VW dealer and hope for a refund. Bars and two cycle carriers cost me £430!