water in heat exchangers?

Randy Webb · 01-24-2003, 03:53 PM

My '73 fogs the driver's side windshield when I turn on the "heat." I suspect water has gotten into the heat exchangers, but don't know how. It is forced to sit out in the constant Oregon rain. Is this common? What might be causing it (i.e. if the water is really getting in while it sits still, how is it getting in?

Thanks!

rfix'n · 01-24-2003, 04:00 PM

If its in the exchangers it would evaporate after driving for a couple miles. More likley, the water is in the ducting in the front trunk. Kind of a p.i.t.a. to get to and you'll have to find the source of the water or it will keep coming back.

pwd72s · 04:30 PM

Randy, my heat exchangers pick up water whenever I wash the car...darned if I know how it gets in them. I suspect water that enters through the grille, then drains down. After I dry the car & the engine compartment, I run the car a while with heat off to dry the moisture out. So, Orygun rain...let the car run a while before you pull up that red handled lever between the seats...I'm guessing you'll get less windshield fogging. BTW...constantly in the rain? Keep an eye on your rear window seals...more than one rear package shelf has rusted out when rear window seals leak. Even a carport would help...BTW, any chance you're a relative of the late Todd Webb?

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

If you wash the car like most people and clean the wheel wells by sticking the hose above the tire and shooting water fore and aft, you are bound to get water in the flapper boxes, which are open when the heat is off.

Just my 2c

Bones · Bones's Garage

yeh and don't drive through fords with the heat on you can't see a damn thing!!!...i've tried it!!

Randy Webb · 01-25-2003, 12:04 PM

am not his relative; it's not from hosing the car -- vertical rain, thx for the help

Jamie79SC · 01-25-2003, 04:05 PM

I've determined that there is a small leak in the seal between the fiberglass shroud and engine sheet metal. If enough rain comes through the grill, water gets into the air cooling system and fogs the car for a few minutes.

Of course, a drive through a big enough puddle with the heaters off (open) will fill your exchangers in short order.