Defrosting Windows

[josh]

It struck me that someone awhile ago mentioned that there windows wouldn't defrost. I can't remember in what thread.

Solution: Run your airconditioning compressor when your defroster is on. It keeps everything crystal clear.

I had the same problem, but read about using the AC on the aussie site. It works brilliantly. I have never had a problem yet. I hope whomever was having the problem with foggy windows see's this...

Josh.

[docsavage]

Another thing to avoid frosty windows is not running the heater in recirculate mode - it warms up faster, but also keeps all the moisture from the occupants inside and fogs windows.

James - much experience in cold weather :D :D :D

[Mystery Machine]

Slightly off topic, but do any of you guys have 'wiper savers' on your motors??

We don't have much need for them here in the UK (tends to be more wet than frozen this time of year! :( ) but they are a very clever little device and I'm sure they'd be useful in a country where you regulalry see -20!!

A lot of the Jap imports I've seen have them on (never seen them before on UK cars) and I find mine VERY useful whenever we do finally get a bit of frost! :D

Regards,

Bruce.

P.S. Mine are funky genuine IPF ones! :D 8)

[FredVenne]

All right everyone...

I know that this is a veeeeery old thread but... here’s the situation.

I know that running the AC will get ride of most moisture. But at temp like -30 and below, it is nice to run the heater from the “recycle air” option, because it’s much warmer. We do have blocked the front small radiator for the heater, it did make a difference but... still very cold to the point that we have to wear our down jacket will driving. And yes, we did change the thermostat for a canadian temp one.

So, does it happen to you guys as well, having to run the AC with the recycled air blow, so that your windows won’t frost? By the way, driving with the AC does reduce your mileage... So any ideas, solution?

BTW, we do bought a fan. It does work for part of the windshield, we would need 3 more. One for the passenger side and two for the side windows.

Anyway... just a thought...

[docsavage]

Hi Fred,

With both my diesel and gas Delica, heating and defrosting at -30C has never been an issue. I never use the recirculate air mode in any vehicle I drive. I would think that there may be a problem with your heater core in under the dash in a difficult but not impossible to get to spot. If your coolant is not flowing freely through the heater core, the heat output will be low. There was a few threads about heater cores a while back.

Also, at those colder temperatures, I used the heat in the back as well. Make sure it is working properly.

[Shaun Van Ramen]

Having just driven to Princeton, BC and back in -6 to -10 I wish I had read this thread about the windows. We had fog issue but were able to keep them at bay with some pro-active thermostat and direction control. (Will have to check to see if it is at recirc or vent)

The one thing I did notice is that the engine temp gauge reads very cold, especially when both heaters (front and back) are on full. I did not have the time to block the rad for more engine heat. But has anyone looked at insulating the body of a Deli? They are very skinny and I have noticed that my right leg very cold sometimes.

[solanoid]

On the subject,

We seemed to notice that our windows were fogging bad in -30 what made a difference was closing our crystal lite shades, keeping an extra barrier of warmer air against the windows.

But just tonight I noticed that the temp guage was dropping to the "C" when left idleing, it has been quite cold here, but I figure that the thermostat is malfuctionig... or waterpump?

What You all think?

[fmande]

We do use our A/C for defrosting and it works a treat.

We don't get the kind of temps that you get but it does get below zero on occation and we never had a problem with the heater getting cold.I too would look at the heater core.

Currently we are using our A/C for cooling.

New years eve for us is 40+ deg

regards David
South Australia

[CV-25]

The one thing I did notice is that the engine temp gauge reads very cold, especially when both heaters (front and back) are on full. I did not have the time to block the rad for more engine heat. But has anyone looked at insulating the body of a Deli? They are very skinny and I have noticed that my right leg very cold sometimes.


I have just brought my Deli up to the East Kootenays and after going up and down a bunch of mountain passes the temp gauge really never got that hot and when we were going downhill it was cold.....temps were around -7.
Does this sound like a thermostat problem or do all Delicas run that cold when they are not working on downhills?

[fexlboi]

But has anyone looked at insulating the body of a Deli?

We started insulating our van recently. http://dinoevo.de/2010/12/roof-insulation/
Still far from being finished. Will add on more layers to the side panels and floors.

Does this sound like a thermostat problem or do all Delicas run that cold when they are not working on downhills?

Have you changed the thermostat/waterpump after the import? If not, it is most like fried and not very accurate anymore.

[CV-25]

We have replaced the thermostat and waterpump....thermostat must not be closing? It is -22 this morning so I think I will keep it parked until we check the thermostat.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Firstly, check if the coolant temperature gauge unit is properly plugged in. Sometimes they can vibrate free, as I discovered on a sortie into a clear cut with Delicat & Fexlboi. I was in second gear, going down a .... seventeen degree incline ~ something like that ~ and my water started dropping. This freaked me out because it just didn't make sense. It was Delicat that said "let's look at your temperature sensor". It's located at the forward part of the engine, in front of the row of injectors (see page 11A-6-1 of the 4D56T Engine Manual in L-300 Downloads, I think it's item "7"). In my case the wire was loose. I gotta tell you, at the time.... it was a very weird feeling. When the temperature climbs: You curse; you get concerned ~ but you know what's happening, more or less. But when the temp just started dropping... I felt lost. Now I see it was simple, at least in this case. See if that helps... smiles.

Falco.

[CV-25]

Thanks Falco, the gauge is working after going up a big hill gauge and heater air temp goes up but the temp never gets up to a level where I believe it should be. I will have it checked out, still a new ride to me so nervous about everything and still trying to get a feel for a lot of things.

[Mr. Flibble]

On the subject,

We seemed to notice that our windows were fogging bad in -30 what made a difference was closing our crystal lite shades, keeping an extra barrier of warmer air against the windows.

But just tonight I noticed that the temp guage was dropping to the "C" when left idleing, it has been quite cold here, but I figure that the thermostat is malfuctionig... or waterpump?

What You all think?

Mine does not warm up much under idle. My guess is that this is because a Diesel only puts enough fuel into the engine to keep it idling - this produces a small amount of heat. When under load, the engine is burning more diesel - and this increases the amount of heat produced. I also noticed while driving in the Kootenays down a long hill at -13 that the temp gauge went to C after using the engine for braking and running the heater. As soon as I hit the bottom of the valley and stepped on the gas the temp gauge climbed again.

So, at lower temps the engine just does not produce enough heat at idle to keep producing heat, you have to get it under load where it is consuming more fuel for it to heat up.

[solanoid]

Mr. F.

Thanks for the reply, I spoke to some people about the thermostat reading cold, they said that it is a common occurence, and nothing to be worried about.

GOD I LOVE NEW DELI! cant help but laugh at how many people stop to take pictures of my ride, and want to talk about her.
So, how long does its novelty take to wear off? Ive had mine for about a month, and always think about it, just want to get back to town and cruise!

Aaron