2019 Audi A1 sportback condensation issue
Discussion
Hi there,
Looking for some advice.
My wife's A1 seems to have a terrible issue where there is loads of condensation building up on the inside of the windscreen, worse on the inside than on the outside. Sometimes the inside is completely frozen over solid, even more so than the outside. I mean condensation is a sugar coating it as its more water droplets covering the windscreen.
Few things for the bigger picture.
1. AC is always on, never off.
2. Car is driven regularly.
3. Windscreen was replaced as it was cracked in transit before we bought it.
4. Had it in at Audi at the beginning of the year to check it, they found no issue. Advised to run AC constantly which we have as a point of principal incase this happened again.
Been on the phone to the service manager who insists on telling me how condensation works (thanks for that) and has said he needs to inspect it again for water ingress jncase it has changed from previously. If no ingress found then there is nothing they can do..
I just don't seem to be able to believe this, I understand a little condensation yes, but for it be frozen harder than the outside when my A5 sportback next to it which doesn't have the AC on constant has no condensation on the inside?
Any advice on how I can push this or whether or not I seem to have a genuine issue or fault would be helpful as the manager is adamant if they inspect it and find no ingress there is nothing I can do...
Picture attached isn't at its worst..
Thanks
Looking for some advice.
My wife's A1 seems to have a terrible issue where there is loads of condensation building up on the inside of the windscreen, worse on the inside than on the outside. Sometimes the inside is completely frozen over solid, even more so than the outside. I mean condensation is a sugar coating it as its more water droplets covering the windscreen.
Few things for the bigger picture.
1. AC is always on, never off.
2. Car is driven regularly.
3. Windscreen was replaced as it was cracked in transit before we bought it.
4. Had it in at Audi at the beginning of the year to check it, they found no issue. Advised to run AC constantly which we have as a point of principal incase this happened again.
Been on the phone to the service manager who insists on telling me how condensation works (thanks for that) and has said he needs to inspect it again for water ingress jncase it has changed from previously. If no ingress found then there is nothing they can do..
I just don't seem to be able to believe this, I understand a little condensation yes, but for it be frozen harder than the outside when my A5 sportback next to it which doesn't have the AC on constant has no condensation on the inside?
Any advice on how I can push this or whether or not I seem to have a genuine issue or fault would be helpful as the manager is adamant if they inspect it and find no ingress there is nothing I can do...
Picture attached isn't at its worst..
Thanks
Check the carpets for damp. You might have to see where you can lift the carpet - maybe pull up the back seat bench where you should be able to slip your hand between the carpet foam backing and metal down towards the floor. If it’s damp or worse, water sitting under the foam you have an ingress problem usually in VAG cars the back passenger footwells is where it will collect first.
Does it have a plenum chamber under the windscreen? Is so, check the drains are clear and working as blockages can lead to them filling with water and into the cabin.
I had a weird water ingress problem with my 2006 Audi A6 Avant. I ended up stripping out the whole carpet because the 2 inch thick foam backing was soaking. It took a good couple of weeks to dry out indoors with a dehumidifier.
The issue in my case - water was draining fine from the plenum chamber but it was getting into into the passenger chassis rail, filling it and coming through the obviously non water tight floor bungs.
Does it have a plenum chamber under the windscreen? Is so, check the drains are clear and working as blockages can lead to them filling with water and into the cabin.
I had a weird water ingress problem with my 2006 Audi A6 Avant. I ended up stripping out the whole carpet because the 2 inch thick foam backing was soaking. It took a good couple of weeks to dry out indoors with a dehumidifier.
The issue in my case - water was draining fine from the plenum chamber but it was getting into into the passenger chassis rail, filling it and coming through the obviously non water tight floor bungs.
I would be considering a smoke test. Set off an odour cleaner smoke bomb in the car with all the doors shut and see where the smoke escapes from.
At best you freshen your car.
At worst the smoke pours out of the window.
I would also buy a large bag of silica crystals tl help dehumidify the car.
https://amzn.eu/d/6qiSw5F
At best you freshen your car.
At worst the smoke pours out of the window.
I would also buy a large bag of silica crystals tl help dehumidify the car.
https://amzn.eu/d/6qiSw5F
Very common problem on that generation of A1. My daughter had it on her previous company car which lived outside. No idea what caused it but the symptoms were alleviated slightly by keeping one of these little dehumidifiers in the footwell. (Empty it before driving off!)
https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/unibond-aero-360-pure...
https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/unibond-aero-360-pure...
stogbandard said:
Check the carpets for damp. You might have to see where you can lift the carpet - maybe pull up the back seat bench where you should be able to slip your hand between the carpet foam backing and metal down towards the floor. If it’s damp or worse, water sitting under the foam you have an ingress problem usually in VAG cars the back passenger footwells is where it will collect first.
Does it have a plenum chamber under the windscreen? Is so, check the drains are clear and working as blockages can lead to them filling with water and into the cabin.
I had a weird water ingress problem with my 2006 Audi A6 Avant. I ended up stripping out the whole carpet because the 2 inch thick foam backing was soaking. It took a good couple of weeks to dry out indoors with a dehumidifier.
The issue in my case - water was draining fine from the plenum chamber but it was getting into into the passenger chassis rail, filling it and coming through the obviously non water tight floor bungs.
Thanks for your reply. Audi had checked the car over back in May and said there was no signs, I will have a good feel myself. I'll also check the plenum chamber tooDoes it have a plenum chamber under the windscreen? Is so, check the drains are clear and working as blockages can lead to them filling with water and into the cabin.
I had a weird water ingress problem with my 2006 Audi A6 Avant. I ended up stripping out the whole carpet because the 2 inch thick foam backing was soaking. It took a good couple of weeks to dry out indoors with a dehumidifier.
The issue in my case - water was draining fine from the plenum chamber but it was getting into into the passenger chassis rail, filling it and coming through the obviously non water tight floor bungs.
Thanks for all the help folks.
Unfortunately the audi isn't under warranty anymore. However this fault was reported when It was so I'm hoping they honor that.
I'm convinced it's the windscreen but when the service manager tells you "I've been in this industry for 30ys and I've never seen a windscreen fitted and the seal isn't proper as it's almost like silicone" it's like arguing with a brick wall..
I'll consider the smoke bomb test, I'll also get the recirc flap checked to make sure it is OK.
I just feel in what's meant to be a "premium" brand car I shouldn't have to drive around with a dehumidifier In the car
Unfortunately the audi isn't under warranty anymore. However this fault was reported when It was so I'm hoping they honor that.
I'm convinced it's the windscreen but when the service manager tells you "I've been in this industry for 30ys and I've never seen a windscreen fitted and the seal isn't proper as it's almost like silicone" it's like arguing with a brick wall..
I'll consider the smoke bomb test, I'll also get the recirc flap checked to make sure it is OK.
I just feel in what's meant to be a "premium" brand car I shouldn't have to drive around with a dehumidifier In the car
As already suggested lift the carpets & check for damp.
Be an idea to check the plastic weather sheets that should be stuck to the metal of the doors behind the doorcards are in place, stuck to the door & undamaged.
These being missing or damaged are a common cause of water ingress & often overlooked.
They're there to catch water that gets past the waist seals & into the door & let it run down inside the door & out of the drain holes in the bottom.
On my own car they were missing altogether & after a decent drop of rain I could have kept fish in the footwells.
Be an idea to check the plastic weather sheets that should be stuck to the metal of the doors behind the doorcards are in place, stuck to the door & undamaged.
These being missing or damaged are a common cause of water ingress & often overlooked.
They're there to catch water that gets past the waist seals & into the door & let it run down inside the door & out of the drain holes in the bottom.
On my own car they were missing altogether & after a decent drop of rain I could have kept fish in the footwells.
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