Has anyone here ever had a problem with a recurring haze on the windows inside your car? It's almost like the nicotene build-up you would get if you were a heavy smoker except not brownish.

I can clean my windows very well and in a week they are becoming all hazy and smeared up looking. I usually just use Windex and paper towels to clean the glass. Never had a problem like this before.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

that haze on your windows is a collection of gaseous chemicals released by high heat and sunlight from the plastic interior parts of your car. the bulk of it is oil, the rest is an array of chemicals with rather disturbing names and physical effects. it's very important to get the windows down quickly in an overheated interior and probably a bad idea to lick the windows.

Will cease licking my windows immediately. I'm not sure this would have started only recently. It gets very hot here in the summers, but I've never had this happen before. I haven't been using anything different in the car such as cleaners, leather protectors, etc.

Maybe I'll just leave my windows cracked a bit on hot days and see if that helps.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Small amounts of coolant leaking into ventilation system?

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2002 E320 4-Matic
2008 Subaru Outback
2009 Subaru Forester

That's what it sounds like to me too.

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1987 Mercedes 300D

Where might a leak like this occur? I'm guess there are some coils across which air flows and this would probably be the spot? Is that the component refered to as the evaporator?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Yes, heater core. There's probably a way to test this effectively, because I suspect on the MB it's not an easy part to access and replace. I've only ever replaced them on a couple of Rangers and a Bronco II, where it's a 15 minute job, so it's easy to just remove and visually inspect. Probably a VERY different story here.

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1987 Mercedes 300D

I believe it's a major undertaking on a 300D, which I have been thinking of buying. Don't know if it's the same for all Benzes or not. On that car the dashboard has to come out to get to the errant part.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

The heater core is near the AC evaporator -- both require removing the whole dash and is thus a big job.

If the heater core is leaking, to the point that you're getting a coolant film on the windows, you should be able to smell it. Coolant has a very characteristic "sweet" smell.

On the other hand, I have battled a filmy haze on my windshield ever since I've owned the car, esp. in the summer. I think it's just "outgassing" of the plasticizers used in the vinyl.

The best thing I've found to get it off is the window cleaner sold by Griot's Garage. I also use their disposable paper towels. I'd recommend NOT using conventional paper towels as they often seem to have something on them which leaves its own haze. Also, using cloth towels can work, as long as fabric softener isn't used when they are washed.

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Steve
'93 400E

Thanks, Steve. I'll try that. I'd like to think it's the outgassing, but since this has only begun recently, I suspect it is the leaking coolant. I'll try your cleaning suggestion, though.

Just as a way to test this leakage theory, wouldn't driving with the AC off eliminate the problem? Would this still occur when the heater is in use?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

With most vehicles, coolant flow occurs through the core no matter what, and air temp is controlled by deflecting air across the core (or not). If that's the case, then you'll get the haze regardless. I'm not sure on the MB since I'm just getting started tinkering with mine over the last month or so. You may be able to bypass the core in the engine compartment, but somebody with more experience will need to advise how that will affect coolant flow on your system.

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1987 Mercedes 300D

I think if the heater core was leaking to the point it needed replacing, you would see a drop in the coolant level, in addition to sensing the sweet smell. I sure wouldn't pull the dash based on my WAG. If the level is fine, maybe just keep cleaning the windows and try to park in the shade, if not a garage.

The best thing I've found for windows is paper towels and glass cleaner, followed by a microfiber cloth with a tiny amount of cleaner. Newspaper also works great, especially for sap on the outside, but I can't stand the feel of it. Like rubbing styrofoam together.

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2002 E320 4-Matic
2008 Subaru Outback
2009 Subaru Forester

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I've had to drop everything else for the time being to get a bunch of house repairs finished. I'm looking forward to selling my big suburban house and getting something more manageable once the last kid leaves for college.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I suspect the suggestions regarding the A/C leaking intp the car are correct. My A/C gave up the ghost today, so I guess that's the most likely culprit.

Thanks for your sage observations.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Id reccomend using vinegar on your windows- no chemicals, plenty of acid to dissolve the grime, and leaves the windows TRULY streak free. Paired with micro-fiber cloths, you cant go wrong.

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


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