[Winged Wheels]

2006 93 2.0T Cabrio (120,000+ miles on it) - We are getting a dried film type crap on the interior of the driver's and passenger side windows (front and back) (not so much on the windshield or back window) - it was occurring mostly with the A/C, but I cleaned the windows and ran the heat full blast for about :45 minutes and it created the crappy film on the windows too.

Had taken it to a general mechanic who found that the coolant reservoir was cracked and leaking. He thought maybe some of that coolant was getting into the system somehow, then into the air vents and getting airborne and collecting on the windows. Replaced the cracked reservoir & cabin filter - but, it is still doing it. The cabin intake had some dirt in there but otherwise seemed pretty clean.

Now the thought seems to be that the heater core "may" be leaking and that is getting in the air vents - I have looked at heater core problem posts and did not see my problem specifically - and we don't really get the sweet smell. I have had heater cores blow in other cars and it is obvious and usually has gotten on the windshield not the sides.

This is just strange and I don't want to spend the $750 I have been quoted as worst case scenario to chase problems that might not be the cause. Anyone else have this problem occur - any information would be appreciated. Would like to keep the car, but don't want to chase problems that "may" be there. Thanks for any experience/help that can be offered.

 

[Willard]

Could you run the fan on full with the windows open while parked for an hour or so to see if it is residual in the system? Not a mechanic, but seems like the simplest first step.

 

[Winged Wheels]

Could you run the fan on full with the windows open while parked for an hour or so to see if it is residual in the system? Not a mechanic, but seems like the simplest first step.

That is what I was trying to do running the heat full blast - thought it would blow out whatever might have been in there (how much could their possibly be . . .), but it did not seem to help. Which is why I am thinking some kind of leak in the heater core or from the a/c systems? I don't know if that would cause this or not? But, something has to be feeding it somewhere that then gets picked up in the air flow and deposits on the windows like a dried fog. Any other comments are welcomed before I let another mechanic charge me more to fix something else that may or may not be the cause. Thanks.