Car Wash Soap Getting Into Heat Exchangers

[Tidybuoy]

I don't know how to solve this problem. Every time I wash the car, after I'm done the windows fog up for a good 1/2 hour. I must drive with the fresh air fan on to keep the steam out.

To make matters worse, the car gets a smell like burning soap and this takes about 3 days of daily driving to wear off. This is a problem as I wash my car almost every weekend so I have more days with a soapy smell than not. I try not to spray water too much into the front hood vent or the vent over the rear window but soapy water gets in there anyway.

It seems to me like you should be able to spray the vents and it would drain to the ground and not into the heat exchangers.

Any Advice? Please.

I'm planning on refurbishing the flapper boxes this weekend (i.e., clean, paint, and new springs) as the flapper boxes will not shut off completely. I'm not sure if this will help but it needs to be done anyway as the heat is on 50/50 all the time.

Thanks for any advice.........Vern

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

Any Advice? Please.

Don't use soap. I use a pressure washer (on it's lowest setting, from a distance...water only), then dry with air, then a microfiber towel. Wax.

[Tidybuoy]

Do your windows steam up for 30 minutes after each wash?

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

Do your windows steam up for 30 minutes after each wash?

No, but I don't have/use heat. I really don't soak the car. Just a strong enough stream to rinse away the dirt. I don't linger on door/hood seams. White work truck = soap. Porsche with nice paint = water only.

I'm assuming your car doesn't get this dirty:

[seamore2001]

Have you tried putting a towel over the vent to prevent water running into it, and just not soaking that part of the car? I do put a towel over the rear vent, on the tea-tray, to limit water getting in there, and that works pretty well.

[Targa Time]

Are you using the heat when they steam up? If not I would check the adjustment of the heat exchanger valves. When the heat is not being used all the heat, steam in this case, should be vented under the car.