Yes, this is common, but most of the vehicles I have owned did not have A/C. So I'm confident it was not running.
My point was that non-A/C rigs somehow manage to have functional defrosters. It can't make that large of a difference.
CK5
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Fixing wiper issue with snow
- Thread starter dyeager535
- Start date
Yes, this is common, but most of the vehicles I have owned did not have A/C. So I'm confident it was not running.
My point was that non-A/C rigs somehow manage to have functional defrosters. It can't make that large of a difference.
My 87 with AC has a functioning defroster. Even in the negative numbers over the weekend and last week with the snow it worked fine.
If he's at 195*F he should have plenty of hot air. I still think he's either not getting heat into the air (heater core issue) or not getting the air directed onto the windshield sufficiently (blower/baffle issue). This series of truck should not have a problem with the balmy weather he's talking about.
I just moved it around, so checked the heater ducting as I was sitting there waiting for the windshield to defrost. Sure enough, pretty decent amount leaking around the back side. I get good velocity in the defrosters, but it would obviously be at least a bit better if it sealed better. I know these setups suck at that joint, I'll have to address that to eliminate it.
However, with a lightly frozen windshield, still clear there is no heat getting to the portion that snow piles up on. Completely defrosted directly above the duct, wiper was still firmly stuck to the windshield for those 2-3 inches. Wasn't being really patient, but if the center and left side of the wiper blade were thawed, the right side should have as well, IMO.
Hotter air would work, so heater core still a definite concern, but I question if more air would "push" enough heat over that direction to make a difference though.
I think the large windshield has much to do with poor defrosting action,it is a giant heat sink or radiator,it loses heat very efficiently--it seems "aiming" the heat isn't as important as having it HOT enough,so the glass can absorb enough to warm up all the way across --if its only lukewarm the windshield may never defrost where the ducts do not blow much on it,in the middle and outer edges..
I found propping the rear of the hood up a bit,and blocking some of the grille off with cardboard, helped a lot to keep the middle of the windshield clear,at least longer,before it would start building up ice and snow again..when its below 20 degrees out with 30 to 60 mph winds,there is no way the heater can keep up with blowing snow no matter what you do...well,maybe if you strapped a torpedo heater to the hood,pointing at the windshield...
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I found propping the rear of the hood up a bit,and blocking some of the grille off with cardboard, helped a lot to keep the middle of the windshield clear,at least longer,before it would start building up ice and snow again..when its below 20 degrees out with 30 to 60 mph winds,there is no way the heater can keep up with blowing snow no matter what you do...well,maybe if you strapped a torpedo heater to the hood,pointing at the windshield...
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lol, yes, I think getting the windshield hotter would/will work. Luckily we don't normally see temps below +20*, so it's not going to take AS much heat. But you are correct, even driving down the freeway the window is cold to the touch everywhere except for the small area that gets direct heat on it.
when its below 20 degrees out with 30 to 60 mph winds,there is no way the heater can keep up with blowing snow no matter what you do...well,maybe if you strapped a torpedo heater to the hood,pointing at the windshield...
Mine handles this situation just fine. 20* with a 30MPH wind sounds like a pretty mild storm to me. Your truck should have no problem handling that.
I know a guy who put one of those aftermarket electric grid "wires" type heater (like the factory rear window defrosters ) on his windshield one year...he said it worked good--but still couldn't see through the wires and plastic very well...it peeled off after a few weeks,and he ripped it out..
He also tried one of those 300 watt electric heaters you plug in your cigg lighter too--what a joke..that was only good as a hand warmer..if it was pointed at the center of the windshiield,it would melt a spot about 3x5" around directly in front of it...he said it made a decent cigarette lighter though..
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He also tried one of those 300 watt electric heaters you plug in your cigg lighter too--what a joke..that was only good as a hand warmer..if it was pointed at the center of the windshiield,it would melt a spot about 3x5" around directly in front of it...he said it made a decent cigarette lighter though..
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Mine handles this situation just fine. 20* with a 30MPH wind sounds like a pretty mild storm to me. Your truck should have no problem handling that.
For the most part the heater works great,especially after the engine is fully warmed up,and the cab has come up to temperature...much of the time I end up opening the rear slider some to keep it from getting too hot in the cab and make me sweaty..
Its mostly when the wind gets over 30 mph, and its snowing 2-3"+ an hour,that the windshield gets cold enough to let the snow freeze to it,and the wipers glide over it rather than remove it...wet heavy snow is the worst,and we get that often here--its like plaster,it builds up quick and freezes fast..
I keep good windshield washer fluid like the Prestone orange ice melting stuff in the tank,a few squirts of that usually clears it right off..its not very often I have to get out to manually scrape off the windshield..
Honestly, at 20* you should be able to clear the outside of your windshield with a good methanol-based washer fluid (no heat required). Spray a little bit on every minute or so and you just need the blower to keep your breath off of the inside of the windshield. This is how I keep the windshield clear while I wait for the truck to warm up. Oh yeah...you should scrape the windshield off so you start with a clean surface (no use trying to melt several inches of snow).
I hear ya on the heavy snowfall. I think the ice-melting stuff is probably the best idea that I have. And some days it's just not enough. I don't know how cold your area gets, but I know in my area I see days cold enough for that stuff to not work. At 20 below it leaves an opaque crystalline pattern on the windshield as it evaporates. On those days I hafta wait for some heat to reach the windshield before I can do much with the truck. Unless I wanna keep spraying it every 10 seconds (and let's not forget scraping the inside!). But down here in the warmer regions of the U.S.A., 20 below only happens a few times in an average year. So I haven't had to get really serious about ice removal.
This is your problem right here. Should not have any problem heating the windshield in such balmy weather.
Last winter was the only one where we had a lot of sub-zero cold and extreme winds --normally it rarely goes under 10 degrees very often,and when it does its usually clear and calm (radiational cooling)...but last year it seemed every storm was a blizzard with up to 60 mph winds along with zero or below temparatures..we had several days that never went above zero the whole month of February..
I've had washer fluid freeze instantly on me many times when I hit the washers driving along,and nearly crashed as a result...
I no longer use the cheap stuff for .99 cents at many stores due to that-I've had that stuff turn to slush in the bottle and crack the cap before,or freeze in the tank!...its worth buying good de-icing washer fluid,or you can use 100% denatured alcohol or dry-gas in a pinch,those may harm the paint in some cases however..
I like being able to park in the garage,so I dont have to brush off 2 feet of snow and wait 20 minutes for the cab to warm up good,and have to trudge around in deep drifts to brush it off..--it is better to start with a clean slate so to say..
If thats not possible,I lay a tarp over the hood and windshield and weight it down with something heavy so it wont blow off...peeling it off after 2 feet of snow builds up on it,it gets difficult to remove though...but the windshield stays clear..unless as you noted,there was enough moisture in the cab from wet carpets to frost up the INSIDE of the windshield...
Be thankful your not driving an air cooled VW in winter !...talk about no defroster OR heat,and having to scrape the inside of the glass !..been there--done that...no thanks!..they might be real good in the snow,but you'll die of hypothermia or CO poisoning while your trying to go somewhere...I used a old sleeping bag as a seat cover in my old Beetle in an effort not to freeze to death..when I got my '56 Chevy pickup with a REAL heater,I was in heaven..the vacuum wipers sucked though...practically useless once the engine was past idle..and going downhill they would go wild,and sometimes fly right off!..
I've had washer fluid freeze instantly on me many times when I hit the washers driving along,and nearly crashed as a result...
I no longer use the cheap stuff for .99 cents at many stores due to that-I've had that stuff turn to slush in the bottle and crack the cap before,or freeze in the tank!...its worth buying good de-icing washer fluid,or you can use 100% denatured alcohol or dry-gas in a pinch,those may harm the paint in some cases however..
I like being able to park in the garage,so I dont have to brush off 2 feet of snow and wait 20 minutes for the cab to warm up good,and have to trudge around in deep drifts to brush it off..--it is better to start with a clean slate so to say..
If thats not possible,I lay a tarp over the hood and windshield and weight it down with something heavy so it wont blow off...peeling it off after 2 feet of snow builds up on it,it gets difficult to remove though...but the windshield stays clear..unless as you noted,there was enough moisture in the cab from wet carpets to frost up the INSIDE of the windshield...
Be thankful your not driving an air cooled VW in winter !...talk about no defroster OR heat,and having to scrape the inside of the glass !..been there--done that...no thanks!..they might be real good in the snow,but you'll die of hypothermia or CO poisoning while your trying to go somewhere...I used a old sleeping bag as a seat cover in my old Beetle in an effort not to freeze to death..when I got my '56 Chevy pickup with a REAL heater,I was in heaven..the vacuum wipers sucked though...practically useless once the engine was past idle..and going downhill they would go wild,and sometimes fly right off!..
What's "grass?"
We finally got our first good snowfall (after a really warm season)...and my yard has entirely swallowed several cinder blocks.
Carcinogen
1/2 ton status
Yeah, its 13* out here right now...
