Smoke/White Vapor from AC?
08-24-09 | 11:34 AM
#16
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 280
From: NJ
True, but if the charge is low the air coming from the vents will by warm (or at best cool) -- certainly not cold and icy.
What happens in a low charge situation is that pressure in the evaporator is too low, causing the refrigerant to vaporize at a temperature below 32 degrees. However, all of the available liquid refrigerant will vaporize at the very bottom of the coil, leaving the vast majority of it warm. Over time, the little strip of cold will ice, blocking airflow, and causing the little strip to move up the coil, icing and blocking airflow as it moves. Eventually, the entire coil will be iced.
The situation that the original poster, KBKURA, Tromly and me experienced occurs when icy cold air (from an A/C that's working fine) hits extremely moist air in the cabin, causing it to condense.
What happens in a low charge situation is that pressure in the evaporator is too low, causing the refrigerant to vaporize at a temperature below 32 degrees. However, all of the available liquid refrigerant will vaporize at the very bottom of the coil, leaving the vast majority of it warm. Over time, the little strip of cold will ice, blocking airflow, and causing the little strip to move up the coil, icing and blocking airflow as it moves. Eventually, the entire coil will be iced.
The situation that the original poster, KBKURA, Tromly and me experienced occurs when icy cold air (from an A/C that's working fine) hits extremely moist air in the cabin, causing it to condense.
Last edited by Bichon; 08-24-09 at 11:40 AM.
08-24-09 | 11:42 AM
#17
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: florida
this happens to me all the time considering i live in miami. it happened when my car was new and even til now. my wifes 09 is250 does the same thing. it usually happens when i dont have the circulation button on when running the AC, no biggie... dont worry to much
08-25-09 | 05:42 PM
#20
This is pretty unnerving the first time you see it but ask anyone who lives in a hot humid climate - happens all the time. Wouldn't ordinarily expect this to happen in LA but on a humid day, yes.
04-19-19 | 09:05 AM
#21
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: NV
Same here
I'm having similar issues, except-
A/C is not running , it's around 60 degrees with light humidity (SoCal) when I'm seeing the vapor come out from the A/C vent.
It has a very slight coolant smell but I think that's just me trying to convince myself that it does, it smells mainly odorless. Im cruising on a freeway with traffic every morning so I'm not driving hard.
It doesn't seem to come through the engine bay at all and I see no effect on temperature guage or performance. And when I put on A/C after I see smoke , it pushed out a little more smoke then clear all day.. and it doesn't happen often, last time I noticed it was a few weeks ago. It's irritating me lol
A/C is not running , it's around 60 degrees with light humidity (SoCal) when I'm seeing the vapor come out from the A/C vent.
It has a very slight coolant smell but I think that's just me trying to convince myself that it does, it smells mainly odorless. Im cruising on a freeway with traffic every morning so I'm not driving hard.
It doesn't seem to come through the engine bay at all and I see no effect on temperature guage or performance. And when I put on A/C after I see smoke , it pushed out a little more smoke then clear all day.. and it doesn't happen often, last time I noticed it was a few weeks ago. It's irritating me lol
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