Softop help please - condensation problems

[Ha3el 10]

About 2 months ago i bought a Mazda MX5 mk1 having never owned a convertable before. Now that the cold weather is here i find every morning that the inside of the hood (vinyl one) is badly covered in condensation droplets. Other day (having not used it for over a week over xmas) it was so bad that the roof above me was (and i mean completely!) covered in huge drops of water which had already been dropping all over seats/centre console etc - It was so bad i was trying to be really careful to lean into car with towel for fear of getting drenched (which i did get a bit of it)!! In addition to this same morning my headrest speakers are making loud buzzing/crackling noises - is it possible that the water has damaged them?

 

Is condensation like this normal for soft-top cars? and is there any way of preventing it? Are mohair hoods any better or are they all like this? Its getting a little frustrating espesh when after drying it and setting off water is still finding its way out of hood release handles etc as i go round corners and dropping on me (also marking my clothes!). I am trying to get hold of a hard top for winter but in meantime any help would be appreciated.

 

Lastly, this ones probs mainly for other mx5 owners, - is it normal to get condensation also on underside of bootlid and again any ways of preventing it? Just i have changer etc ready to go in and want to put other sound equipment in also but dont want it all to get wet!

 

I'd be really really grateful for any help.

Thanks,

hazel xx

[Jake01 10]

I drive a soft top saab and I must admit I don't have a problem with it.... sounds like your soft top itself is the problem they don't last forever.... over time they kink with use and become ill fitting.... best advice is to replace it but that is costly.... a hard top would solve all your problems but not give you the freedom of a sports car in the summer.... depends on your cash flow really.

 

If you have moisture in your speakers the chances are it will dissipate over time.... just don't turn them up full whack or you might crack them as anything damp becomes weak such as paper.

 

Sounds to me as though the seals have gone on your boot as well.... that is not expensive to replace but the moisture might be getting in from the interior and not the outside.... see a friend or family member.... people need to look at such a problem ( who know what they are doing ) in order to make an informed decision. You can only speculate otherwise.

 

Meantime whack your heater up.... this will help evaporate some of the moisture.

[bondy 10]

There is a company in Doncaster I believe called MX5 City and they specialise in parts and sales of MX5's. My brother bought his from there and he says they are a friendly bunch, who set the company up after being MX5 enthusiasts.

 

Try to find the number and give them a ring and see what they say.

[Jake01 10]

Try this link.... http://www.mx5city.com/Home.htm

[max 13]

I'd recommend a clip on hard top for the winter months, they're not that expensive.

[Cyclone 10]

condensation occures when warm air (carrying evaporated water) meets cold surface.

At a guess you drive around nice and warm, then park up, close up the car (trapping the moist warm air) and leave it to cool down overnight.

 

Try driving the last 5 minutes home with the windows/roof down and no heating on. That way when you depart the car is full of air that is already the same temperature as outside, and thus unlikely to condense on anything. At least that's my theory. I've tried it with my car as sometimes i have problems with the front screen steaming up for ages in the morning.

[Ha3el 10]

Hiya,

 

Thanks for all the replys, i was bidding on a hard top in sheffield and already in the right colour on ebay but unfortunately missed auction end by 1 min im looking into one or two a bit further away at moment, am not bothered bout colour like as want to spray car at some point anyways. I know of MX5 city in conisborough altho not been there as yet but cant really afford a top from new as ive a new soft-top to buy also since someone kindly slashed mine when trying to steal car. - The water isnt leaking through any gaps or anything tho its def condensation from how it gathers on roof. The existing hood was actually fairly new anyways. The boot is also def condensation as its all misted up, thought about whether i could put some sort of foam lining on it but knowing my luck it would jus go mouldy or summat!

 

 

Originally posted by Cyclone

I've tried it with my car as sometimes i have problems with the front screen steaming up for ages in the morning.

 

Did you find it worked? I will try that on way home tonight, thanx. I do drive with the heaters up in an attempt to dry to hood out a bit but as you say it getting cold again over night. I jus wondered if this was a common problem.

 

Thanks again,

hazel xx

[Nate 10]

I owned an old MK 1 Mr2 T-Bar.

 

Although not a soft top, I had the same problem.

Whats worse (believe me...) is when the INSIDE of your windscreen needs de-icing!!!

 

Anyway, it turned out to be a broken seal around the door. Was fixed and now theres no problem.

 

Just take it to a JAP car specialist - i know a good one called JUPITER GARAGE - very reliable guys, and cheap!

[Ha3el 10]

Haha ive already had the ice on the inside of the windscreen too!

 

thanx for that tho i will look them up as it could prob do with a service too, i guess things could be worse to say its a 15 yr old car.

 

thanks for all the help

hazel xx

[L00b 441]

Resurrecting a very old thread, here, but I'm after some feedback about MX5 City, please, as I'm thinking of dropping by them for some work needed on mine (MX5 Mk1).

 

Anyone here used them yet?

 

Re. condensation - always check the seals, and look after them. My MX-5 is 10 years old, original roof and seals, no condensation (or leaks) whatsoever ...and that's including 3 years in Ireland! I regularly (twice yearly) put a drib of Vaseline along the roof seal (windscreen lip and around windows), seems to do the trick to keep them in tip-top condition.

[mrscoltsever 10]

Hi, my friend has the same problem but not quite as bad with her soft top, its not the same car, a BMW, but she complains of the same. She asked me if mine did too but mines a hard top convertable and although I get condensation on inside of windows sometimes, its not as bad as hers. I did think it was a fault as its fairly new but when I phoned dealers they said not, they said I had to remember through the winter though to keep the buttons going that electronically take the roof down and make sure I do it once a month in winter and let it fold itself right back into the boot, I guess thats so it doesnt seize up or something. I will let my friend know though that it may not be normal as she not took hers anywhere thinking it was and it sounds just like yours.

[Cyclone 10]

You should drive with the top down whenever it's a blue sky in winter. Turn the heating up, put on a coat and hat and enjoy.