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Removing condensation from the waterfall grille
Here is a thread for all you scientists and engineers.
There have been many threads on condensation and moisture buildup inside the waterfall grille. In the back of the grille is a small air "port" covered by a curved rubber hose, to keep water out while allowing air to move in and out, depending on the temperature. I noticed that when I washed my car today, my clear grille satrted to fog. I am assuming that the air inside of the grille was heated by the radiator and when I stopped the car and started to wash it the cold water on the grille caused the warm air inside the grille to condense. Here is my theory: Insulated window glass/sliding glass doors in the home remains clear all year long, despite the vast differences between inside and outside temperature, because the air has been extracted from between the two layers of glass, leaving a vacuum. No air-no condensation. When that vacuum is broken, air enters and condensation starts to form. So I thought that I would... Remove the grille and place it in a warm oven for awhile to dry out the condensation. Turn off the oven, removethe grille or leave it in the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature. I then connect a small piece of hose to the port in the back of the grille and the other end to the port on one of those "foodsaver" vacuum packaging systems. I remove all of the air from the grille and crimp and seal the hose at the grille before removing the vacuum line. Another product that is far cheaper is the Pump-n-Seal hand vacuum system http://www.pump-n-seal.com/ Using the Pump -n Seal system, you could permanently seal off the "port" in the grille, drill another hole and use the "tab-chek" over the hole to remove the air. http://www.pump-n-seal.com/pumnseal2.htm It seems now that there is no air left in the grille, there would be nothing to condense. Of course you would have to make sure that all seams of the grille were sealed with RTV prior to doing this. If it doesn't work, you are no worse off than you were before. Is this sound logic and something that may work? A new grille is 266.00 from subaruparts.com and is guaranteed for a year. The Pump-n-Seal is only $11.95 plus shipping.
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 10-05-2004 at 02:17 PM. |
#2
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I am no engineer, but I think that sounds like it just might work. I don't know if you could get it completely air tight or if you could get all the air out. I think air would slowly seep back in somehow over a long period of time. I think it's a very interesting experiment though and definitely worth a try.
Good Luck! --Mike
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Early deceased SVXWN Member July 1986 -- February 2007 Michael - Duct Tape Man 1992 Burgundy SVX LS-L, 138K: Brembo Slotted/Drilled Rotors, B&M Tranny Cooler and Filter, SmallCar Shift Kit 1992 Burgundy SVX LS-L, 123K: DEAD FROM FATAL HAIL DAMAGE, Parting out so PM me if you need something. "It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything" - Fight Club "This is not my life, this is not my home, this is not me. I HATE THIS!" - Static X |
#3
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Quote:
If you could seal all of the leaks first, then vacuum out the air, the condensation should never return. Running a bead of clear RTV around the perimeter of the grille where the black plastic and the clear waterfall meet should do the trick.
__________________
. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 10-05-2004 at 02:18 PM. |
#4
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sounds good. just make sure you seal of that hose good and tight after you suck the air out.
__________________
Early deceased SVXWN Member July 1986 -- February 2007 Michael - Duct Tape Man 1992 Burgundy SVX LS-L, 138K: Brembo Slotted/Drilled Rotors, B&M Tranny Cooler and Filter, SmallCar Shift Kit 1992 Burgundy SVX LS-L, 123K: DEAD FROM FATAL HAIL DAMAGE, Parting out so PM me if you need something. "It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything" - Fight Club "This is not my life, this is not my home, this is not me. I HATE THIS!" - Static X |
#5
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I wouldn't vacuum the air out...just bake it and seal it. It's still going to pull air back in eventually.
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David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
#6
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That's is a great plan. I really like it and I think it would work as you say as long as the waterfall assembly is sealed up.
I have noticed that my waterfall grill will get condesation right after I clean it. You know with Novis plastic cleaner. Than after about a month it goes away. Any idea why? It has been suggested that there is a hole in the plastic from a rock and when I clean it the hole opens up. Pulling a vaccum on the part is a good idea. What about clear coat? Can that be sprayed on the plastic?
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May your transmission live forever. SuperbVehicleXtraordinary Proud sponsor of a 1992 SVX. |
#7
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Leaky lens.
There must be a leak between the clear lens and the backing plastic piece. As you say it gets water in when you wash it. This is when there is water laying along the seam, between the two pieces, and when it is cooled, it pulls the water in as the rubber drain has a one way opening, to let air out, but closes to prevent air from entering.
Your idea of blowing air in, while it is under water to find the leak worked for me, to find the leak in my rear tail light lens, that I sealed with silastic. Hasn't leaked since. Harvey.
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One Arm Bloke. Tell it like it is! 95 Lsi. Bordeaux Pearl, Aust. RHD.149,000Kls Subaru BBS wheels. 97 Liberty GX Auto sedan. 320,000Kls. 04 Liberty 30R Auto Premium. 92.000kls. |
#8
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Re: Leaky lens.
Quote:
The rubber drain (curved piece of rubber hose) on the back of the grille is to keep water from entering the grille through the "port" When I pulled the hose off of the end of the port, there was just a small hole there, not a one-way valve or opening, just a hole. I guess the purpose of the hose is to allow air to escape from the hole but also allow air back in, but not water. Or do you mean the curved hose itself has a one-way opening? I just assumed it was a normal piece of hose and you could blow through either end without obstruction.
__________________
. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 10-05-2004 at 07:43 PM. |
#9
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Re: Re: Leaky lens.
Quote:
Harvey.
__________________
One Arm Bloke. Tell it like it is! 95 Lsi. Bordeaux Pearl, Aust. RHD.149,000Kls Subaru BBS wheels. 97 Liberty GX Auto sedan. 320,000Kls. 04 Liberty 30R Auto Premium. 92.000kls. |
#10
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Re: Removing condensation from the waterfall grille
Quote:
__________________
Time for my very own long list of mods: 92 SVX LS-L - Ebony Pearl - 2002 WRX 5MT trans w/STi gearset (rebuilt & installed myself ) - BMW E46 HID retrofit - Kenwood Headunit - Phoenix Gold 75x4 RMS amp - Alpine Type R 6.5" front components - Alpine Type R 6x9 3way rear speakers - 18"x9" Rota G-Force wheels w/225/40ZR18 Toyo T1R's - Mychailo's custom springs - Urethane front & rear sway bar bushings - KC exhaust (2.5" dual magnaflow) - Escaine seat swap - Removed Spoiler I don't care if Subaru says it's STI...it will always be STi to me |
#11
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=============
Insulated window glass/sliding glass doors in the home remains clear all year long, despite the vast differences between inside and outside temperature, because the air has been extracted from between the two layers of glass, leaving a vacuum. No air-no condensation. When that vacuum is broken, air enters and condensation starts to form. ================= I also believe they fill this vacuum with a gas - don't know if that is for condensation or not.
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1997 LSi, Brilliant Red, 62K, #204 1999 Outback Limited, Black, 182K US Navy Retired (CWO3) |
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