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2001 Cavalier Fogs Up With Steam, Not Antifreeze
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arelijah
New User
Feb 10, 2011, 10:57 AM
Post #1 of 7
(4115 views)
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2001 Cavalier Fogs Up With Steam, Not Antifreeze
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Year of vehicle: 2001
Make of vehicle: Chevy
Model of vehicle: Cavalier
Engine size: 2.2L
Mileage/Kilometer: 147,000 miles
Problem: All windows fog up, starting in the back. It is not with antifreeze, just steam. I started noticing it this fall when it started getting cooler and needed to use heat, the windows would fog, and required me to use 100% defrost. I've had the car for 7.5 years and since it had 32,000 miles, so I knew this wasn't normal. My air conditioning still worked perfectly in the summer and the car still puts out lots of heat. Any combination not 100% defrost would automatically fog over the windows. I tried cleaning the windows in case something had got on them, didn't resolve the issue. I thought my heater core was failing, even though it didn't smell like antifreeze and wasn't an immediate failure. I set up an appointment with the mechanic in my home town since I was going to be there for extended time at Thanksgiving. They were prepared to put a heater core in, but weren't sure it was the answer. They took the dash off and found no evidence of the heater core leaking, and couldn't find any other reason why my car would fog up. I didn't have low coolant either. They cleaned the windows as well, but no improvements.
Then I drove my car back to where I live, and it still fogged up. So I contacted the mechanic where I had been living for 4.5 years, who is the best one in the town. He also didn't feel it was the heater core, but would give it his best. So over Christmas, I took the car to him. He had my car for an entire afternoon, night and next morning. He checked all my knobs, and vents. He checked the overflow tube for the air conditioning in case it was plugged and causing issues. He checked the pressure and ability of the system to hold pressure as well. He chose to keep it over night, so he could check the system cold as well. Everything came back normal. My coolant level was still normal as well.
It is now February and my car still fogs up. I've put ~9,000 miles on the car and my coolant level is still fine. It still doesn't smell like antifreeze and I have no puddles on my passenger inside of my car or on my garage floor. It was -15F today, and I had to run defrost and crack my window to be able to see. I have not been able to find any patterns for whether it happens when my car is parked in a heated ramp or outside all day in the cold Minnesota winter weather.
Please help! I have no other maintenance issues with my car and would like to keep driving it if possible. My only other choice is to trade it off.
Thanks,
Ashley
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 10, 2011, 11:40 AM
Post #2 of 7
(4113 views)
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Re: 2001 Cavalier Fogs Up With Steam, Not Antifreeze
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Windows fog up because the car is getting moisture inside somehow. This can happen a number of ways. Sometimes it's moisture left over in the carpets or trunk from some type of leak and sometimes it's moisture getting inside through windows that don't seal tight or a trunk that isn't sealed tightly.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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arelijah
New User
Feb 10, 2011, 2:06 PM
Post #3 of 7
(4106 views)
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Re: 2001 Cavalier Fogs Up With Steam, Not Antifreeze
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Hi HammerTime,
Thanks for reading my issue and providing a quick response. I do have a few questions though. My car started doing it this fall, and we had an exceptionally dry fall. Wouldn't the problem have gotten worse with the snow and tracking snow in and out with boots? Also, one incident I didn't describe was when I was driving to Eastern Iowa from the Twin Cities, ~300 mile drive, that after ~150 miles of perfectly clear windows, my car fogged up in about 30 seconds, and kind of stayed foggy for the rest of the drive. If my car had leftover moisture in it, it wouldn't have been clear for over 2 hours, and some other moisture would have needed to "appear" to fog it over. The only correlation I could come up with there is relative humidity/dew point. This being said, if the moisture is coming from the air, and not from water leaked or tracked into the vehicle, why does opening the window assist in the clearing of the fog to a point where I can still operate the vehicle?
I'm not trying to discount your idea, but I'm not sure how I would go about fixing my car at this point based on the information.
Thanks,
Ashley
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 10, 2011, 2:42 PM
Post #4 of 7
(4102 views)
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Re: 2001 Cavalier Fogs Up With Steam, Not Antifreeze
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Opening the window lowers the temp in the car.
The scenario you describe sounds more like a problem with the heater core or residual condensation from the A/C getting sucked into the heater. Most newer cars are now wired to run the A/C compressor to remove moisture from the air. Check to see if yours is operating that way or if it may be freezing up.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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arelijah
New User
Feb 10, 2011, 3:50 PM
Post #5 of 7
(4097 views)
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Re: 2001 Cavalier Fogs Up With Steam, Not Antifreeze
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The compressor automatically kicks on when running 100% defrost. Is there a way to check to see if the compressor is actually running, other than the light indicating it is? I do get portholes on both the driver and passenger sides of the windshield.
Thanks,
Ashley
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 10, 2011, 4:03 PM
Post #6 of 7
(4095 views)
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Re: 2001 Cavalier Fogs Up With Steam, Not Antifreeze
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Look at the A/C compressor and see if the center part of the pulley is turning along with the outer part to indicate the compressor is engaged.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 12, 2011, 8:56 AM
Post #7 of 7
(4086 views)
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Re: 2001 Cavalier Fogs Up With Steam, Not Antifreeze
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? is this car rusty like with holes anywhere especially floors and panels where snow or wet road could allow tires to throw moisture in the wrong places,
T
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