The presence of moisture inside the car is indicated by a musty odor, inside windows that are often fogged, and damp floor mats. This is not only quite uncomfortable, but it can also be a significant warning sign.
This tutorial goes into great length on the actions you must take in a situation like this.
Which signs point to the presence of moisture in the car?
Moisture in the passenger compartment can be smelled, felt, and even seen. The first indication that something is wrong with a frequently driven car is a musty smell.
You need to look into the matter more if it’s still there after the interior has been thoroughly cleaned.
Condensation frequently forms on the floor for a variety of reasons. The most effective solution is to press a dish towel against the mat in order to clean it.
You will be able to quickly and clearly check to see if the interior of the vehicle is damp if you do it this way.
Other signs include condensation or ice on the inside of the windows, the growth of mold, or wet seats.
The factors that contribute to the presence of moisture inside
The majority of internal moisture is brought on by normal driving. The most frequent source of moisture detected inside is the buildup of snow on shoes.
This does not normally present a problem and can easily be resolved while driving. When it’s chilly outdoors, the car’s air conditioning system can serve as an efficient dehumidifier for this reason.
On the other hand, you need to pay more attention if the car really does have a problem with humidity.
A damp cabin can have different causes. Unwanted water penetration is something that all of these problems share in common.
However, water and water in a car are not the same things at all. Finding the moisture points of the entrance is therefore the first thing that must be done.
There are three different ways that water can enter the cabin:
1. Rainwater
Permeability in the sunroof is typically the cause of rainwater getting inside the vehicle. A wet seat is a typical indicator of the problem.
The motorist regularly suffers one or more head injuries while operating a vehicle. This is not only a major inconvenience, but it also poses a potential threat to one’s well-being.
Porous window frames are another element that causes rainfall seepage. The rust on these, though, will already be quite noticeable at this stage.
Another probable cause of water entering a car is a clogged drainage line, but this one relies on the type of vehicle.
For instance, these issues manifested themselves in the initial production runs of the Fiat Panda and the Golf 5.
Cleaning the gutters was the solution to this issue, and it worked. As a result, it is strongly suggested that you investigate whether or not this possibility also applies to your vehicle.
2. water that comes from below
When water enters the car through the floor, the fix is uncomplicated and can be done in a short amount of time. A drain is built into each bottom plate beneath the mat.
This drain, which is a chunk of rubber that is affixed to the plate permanently, was merely inserted there for manufacturing purposes.
As the vehicle travels through the paint line, this grommet removes any excess paint that may have accumulated on the bodywork.
This rubber may crack over time, become detached, or become damaged if it is struck by a stone. Using silicone, these holes can quickly be patched up and made watertight again.
It is not recommended to weld the drain opening because it may prove to be very useful in unexpected circumstances.
However, if water gets in from below through a rust hole, the scenario is a lot riskier.
In this scenario, the vehicle is no longer safe to drive, so it must be taken to a professional mechanic as soon as possible for repairs.
The rust hole in the bottom sheet metal is typically just one illustration of the considerable damage.
3. Water heated by the cabin heater
The presence of water on the floor may also point to a leak in the cabin heater. A quick visual inspection will show you whether the heat exchanger is operating properly.
First, make sure there is enough coolant. The standard cooling circuit is connected to the heat exchanger that is found in the heater.
The engine will start to lose coolant at this stage if it is defective, which is something it must have in order to operate safely.
After that, turn off the radiator and begin operating the ventilation system for the windshield. If this mist develops at the air nozzles, the heat exchanger has probably been damaged.
If the floor is already wet, grab an absorbent white cloth and use it instead. Tissues, kitchen towels, and toilet paper are all excellent choices for completing this work.
Examining the color after the cloth has absorbed some moisture is a good idea. If the water is clear, then it most likely comes from deeper into the ground.
If the substance has the same color as the coolant, you have located the root of the problem.
Recall that a heat exchanger is a replaceable, reasonably priced part. Depending on the type of vehicle, it costs somewhere between $15 and $50.
However, the process of putting it together is very laborious. In most cases, it is necessary to remove the entire dashboard, including the steering wheel and the airbags.
Technically, this work is not extremely difficult, but a professional should calculate it over the course of a weekend.
Removing moisture from the interior of the car
Once the malfunction that was causing the issue has been identified and corrected, your car will once again be secured against unwanted water intrusion.
In order to make the passenger space comfortable again, you will need to remove any remaining moisture from the vehicle.
Begin with the larger dampnesses and work your way down to the smaller ones at the end. Take your time and be thorough because if you don’t, a musty odor and mildew could develop in the vehicle.
How to Remove Dampness from an Automobile
1. Investigate the materials.
Remove the floor mats, then raise the carpet in the passenger area. Look into the possibility that the carpet’s underside insulating material is the source of the smell. You should get rid of the entire thing right away if it smells foul.
You can use an original spare part that ranges in price from forty to one hundred and twenty euros. Because of this, the task will be simplified.
However, if you would rather have a solution that is less expensive, you can also use carpet. Use the original piece as a pattern to cut the new pieces.
Additionally, this will make the process of fitting much simpler. Also, make sure to inspect and meticulously clean the mats.
Make use of a high-pressure cleaner in conjunction with soapy water. To prevent ripping the cloth, keep a safe distance away while using the pressure washer.
When the carpet and floor mats have been thoroughly cleaned and dried, replace them.
2. Get rid of any lingering moisture that’s still there
There is still some moisture left over on the seats even if the carpet and floor mats have been thoroughly cleaned and dried.
You can get rid of a significant amount with the assistance of a radiator. Put the car under an awning to protect it from getting wet in the rain.
Now open the window approximately one centimeter on all sides. Install the radiator so that it won’t be able to move off the board that you’ve put it on.
Place the radiator on for at least two to three hours while you place the two parts on the rear seat. There will initially be a lot of fog covering the windows.
When the clouds part, this apparatus will keep the automobile as dry as is humanly possible.
Any leftover moisture in the product can be taken out with the use of a drying agent. With the aid of antiquated dehumidifiers that employ silica gel, you can do this.
Sets of three of them are available for between 12 and 15 dollars. If you want a solution that is also very affordable, you have the choice of employing salt or charcoal.
Use a sieve to create holes on the top of an empty cookie box. The greater the number of holes, the more impressive the effect.
After that, the box should be stuffed with charcoal. Take care to only use the pieces that are bigger than the holes when putting the puzzle together.
Put some duct tape on the lid of the box, and then slide it under the passenger seat. After this, the charcoal will gradually soak up any moisture that is present in the cabin.
The effect grows according to the number of interior dryers that are put in the car. Alternatively, you could use some old socks stuffed with salt or kitty litter rather than charcoal and a can to light your fire.
A quick note to the reader:
– Cover the floor with newspapers in the fall and winter.
– Make your own indoor dryers at home using salt, cat litter, or charcoal.
– Make quick repairs to the broken heat exchanger.
– Make sure to inspect the drainage pipes
– Replace rotten floor mats or carpets
