1996 Accord LX w/fogging & smell

[orko]

Hello all,

I purchased a '96 Accord LX last weekend and so far love the vehicle; except for one thing. When it's raining and/or cold out, and the windows are a little foggy -- defrost air will immediately, totally fog up the window, and the "muggy" feeling inside of the car doesn't get any better unless I crank the A/C with the heat on (even then it takes a good 15 minutes to get the air inside to feel normal). If I then turn the A/C off or down(from the highest blower speed to say...2 or 1), or switch the air intake from "recirc" to "fresh" air, the fogging reappears shortly thereafter and I start the cycle all over again.

Now, I've been told to look(smell) for a "sweet" odor, indicating a heater core problem. The smell I get is mostly when the air intake is in the "fresh" setting, and is a "muggy/sweetish/mustyish" type of smell ;-) I know what anti-freeze smells like, but it's hard to pick out if that odor is in there... Is there anything else I can do to isolate this swampy car problem further?

Thanks in advance,

-- orko

PS. no, I don't think that using something like rain-x, soap or a potato would really be what I'm looking for, since I'm trying to pinpoint the underlying *cause* of the moisture getting into the "people tank" :-)

[AccordCodger]

I wonder if the drains (rain and A/C condensation) are blocked.

I'm in Florida, and defrost alone (without A/C) ALWAYS fogs up the windows (if it's cool, of coursse, otherwise I don't need defrost!)

One comment: you refer to turning the AC down, from the highest bloser speed ...
The AC doesn't have a "down" - the compressor is doing what it does. All you are doing is varying the amount of air blowing - hot/cold/damp/dry - it's irrelevant.

It does sound possible, however, that the heater core is leaky - that would certainly put moisture into the car (but it would do it WORSE if you have it on "recirc")

[orko]

Originally Posted by AccordCodger

I wonder if the drains (rain and A/C condensation) are blocked.

Do you know where these drains are located in the Accords?

Originally Posted by AccordCodger

I'm in Florida, and defrost alone (without A/C) ALWAYS fogs up the windows (if it's cool, of coursse, otherwise I don't need defrost!)

I'm thinking that Washington isn't near as humid as where you are. Also, my '93 Civic doesn't have any fogging problems (nor does it have A/C) :-)

Originally Posted by AccordCodger

One comment: you refer to turning the AC down, from the highest bloser speed ...
The AC doesn't have a "down" - the compressor is doing what it does. All you are doing is varying the amount of air blowing - hot/cold/damp/dry - it's irrelevant.

Right. Sorry, wasn't quite clear there, but it definitely is worse with a lower volume of air blowing through.

Originally Posted by AccordCodger

It does sound possible, however, that the heater core is leaky - that would certainly put moisture into the car (but it would do it WORSE if you have it on "recirc")

That was my feeling as well, so I thought I'd mention that the "fresh" air setting is where the problem appears to be the most apparent. Would moisture not draining off (in the evaporator, right?) make the most sense then?

Thanks for the reply,

-- orko

[AccordCodger]

I don't really know how you check the A/C drain, except by running the A/C and seeing if you get water dripping from underneath.

The rain drains are as simple as running water down the vents below the windshield each side (by the cupful, I suggest) and making sure it emerges under the car.

I get a bad feeling about the heater core. Try turning the heat all the way off which - at least theroretically - turns off the water supply to the core. That way, any leak should stop within a few minutes and the fogging should stop.

Nevertheless, a blocked A/C drain sounds like a possible. Try running the A/C - alone - preferably in the sun (you DO have sun this time of year, right? :-) ) while parked, and make sure you get a puddle under the car. If you want to enhance the effect, put a pan of hot, steamy water on the passenger side floor.

[BigRed]

Mine had a nest!! Dead mouse/bird??? Took evaperator covers apart and vacuumed. Much better now. Have pix but cant attach?