re-occuring nasty film on inside windshield

[animal401]

I have no moisture on the carpet under the dash at all, and have never had any.

[Brian R.]

If it's a leaking heater core, replace it before it makes a mess on your carpet. Antifreeze does not dry easily.

[clintryplug]

If it is a leaky heater core, should there be fluid/anti freeze dripping somewhere other than the carpet? should there be small puddles or wet spots on the ground after I've been parked for a while or should I be able to see fluid actually dripping underneath the car after I park?

[Brian R.]

Depends on how your heater core is positioned and how the ducts are routed. The antifreeze has to go somewhere. It doesn't evaporate.

[mrb1962]

Just a thought, maybe call the local A/C automotive repair guys, see if this is a problem that might be happening with the evaporator core, when it condensates, water has to go somewhere....................

[mrb1962]

Oh yah, one more thing, it might be the "out-gassing" or vapors of the plastics from the cars interior...I dont have a clue how that would be solved, you might try using a cheap dashmat for a few days, see if the fog doesnt form.....

[clintryplug]

One thing that I have failed to mention is that the same film does accumulate on the inside of all of the other windows as well. The film accumulates at a quicker rate on the windshield but it eventually builds up on the others. Thatt's why I'm inclined to think it is something coming from the vents but the cheap mat is worth a try. Thanks for the reply.

[Neinta]

Now that I think of it, It only forms on my camry and my mom's sienna. The fords and chevys in our family don't get it. Is there something toyo does different in the vent/climate control system?

[edfrsd]

do you smoke?

[Neinta]

no, none of my family members smoke.

[clintryplug]

non-smoker here as well

[Joe W]

Is the air blend set to fresh or recirculate?Fresh would be the best setting to avoid a mist.But if it is the heater core this won't help.

[clintryplug]

It is set on recirculate as a matter of fact. I just cleaned the film off today so I will try running it on fresh and see what happens. Thanks for the advice.

[clintryplug]

after cleaning the film off and moving the air blend to fresh (from re-circulate) for a few days, the film has not returned (may still be to early to tell though). Anyway Joe W, you mentioned that if the problem was the heater core, then moving the blend to "fresh" would not help the problem. Well since it looks like the film is only forming on re-circulated air what could this mean? Thanks

[Joe W]

Not exactly sure,but probably something in the duct work or car itself.