90 Escort Front Window Won't Defog

I think from using the A/C this summer, the condensation never dripped out, and is causing the defroster or defoger not to work. I searched for the hose that should be on the fire wall where the water should exit the heater but never found it. It must be pretty well concealed. Am I correct in my assumption as to why the defogger doesn't work or is there something else I am missing. It's pretty dangerous trying to wipe the front window while you are driving because you can't see. Thank you in advance. Any help is appreciated.

To defog the window turn on the A/C switch (with temp on warm). The A/C should draw the moisture out of the air.

To defog the window turn on the A/C switch (with temp on warm). The A/C should draw the moisture out of the air.

Tried that but it didn't seem to work even though the compressor cycles on and off. If the water isn't draining, won't that contribute to the amount of water already in the heater already compartment?
I gotta get that water out if it is causing this problem and I just can't seem to locate the drain hose. Arghhhhhhh!

I don't know where the drain is either and I have looked too. Rolling the window down a little might help. Worse case scenario is a leaking heater core.

I don't know where the drain is either and I have looked too. Rolling the window down a little might help. Worse case scenario is a leaking heater core.

I did some research online and I think I may be able to cut a hole at the base of the heater resevoir inside the car. I haven't tried it yet but the lowest point inside the car, underneath the evaporator may be where the outlet hose is located. I'm thinking if I cut a hole in the plastic, and water comes out, I will be able to drain the excess water, and clean out the hose from the inside of the car. Then, I can patch it up with some black silicone glue. I'm hoping that there isn't a leak in the heater core. I know what a pain in the neck it can be to replace one of those. The heater smells when you first turn on the heat but it smells more like stale standing water then antifreeze. I'm sure inhaling that can't be healthy either.

I just gotta throw this out there. Many years ago a coworker was having a problem with his pickup truck in the coldest months of winter. The windshield was fogging/frosting up and no matter what he did to turn up the heat with defrost on high it would not completely clear the windshield. Someone in the office suggested that his heater core was leaking only slightly, causing a vapor to form on the windshield. I never looked at the truck but I told him that if the heater core was causing the fog then it will usually leave an oily film on the glass. It will make a mess of things when you try to clean it off. He checked and no the windshield was clean. In the mean time he was talked into putting some of that radiator stop leak stuff in the coolant to clog the supposed leak in the heater core. Well that didn't help either. Then one day a few weeks later he took another coworker out to lunch and was telling him about the windshield fogging problem and the coworker looked at his dash and said "did you try this" while moving the the lever from recirculating inside air to fresh outside air. His problem was finally solved. :rolleyes:

The drains you're referring to are in the left and right corners at the base of the windshield. More detail in the second link below.

Sometimes the air blend-door lever system is damaged from forcing it to move when the driver's foot is resting on a specific part of the center console, underneath the dash. I nearly damaged mine that way before I realized that something was pushing against my foot.

Also, make sure that your vehicle's engine is getting up to temperature. No heat, or very poor heat, makes for difficult defrosting. (warm air holds more moisture than cold air) If the temperature is above freezing, your AC compressor should activate, to serve as a dehumidifier for the incoming air.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=938010
http://www.feoa.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=645605

Make sure the windows' weather strips aren't missing or damaged, and check the door seals. Note any scratches or other surrounding the door frame, which may indicate that it is misaligned. Water line gaps around the door/trunk frames can serve as additional clues. Windows fogging generally indicates that water is getting in, but not getting out. Check everything from under all passenger seats, (including rear passenger bench seat,) to the spare tire wheel well in the trunk. Standing water anywhere in the vehicle, or near the ventilation system will make defogging unusually difficult.

I did some research online and I think I may be able to cut a hole at the base of the heater resevoir inside the car. ............I recommend NOT making any "special" modifications or "hacks," to the vehicle. Modifications and hacks are only required to compensate for design flaws. This isn't a design flaw, as these vehicles normally defog well, so hacking isn't recommended in this case.

........ heater core was leaking only slightly, causing a vapor to form on the windshield. ............

Just to note, I noticed this film when my head gasket was leaking, head was cracked. (ventilation intake vents are practically underneath the hood)