03 Elantra- smoke from AC vents...

I have an 03 Elantra GT. This morning while driving to work with the air
conditioning on some white smoke/mist started coming out of the vents. I
turned off the ac for a few minutes then tried again with the same result.
It was an odorless white mistlike smoke. Anyone ever seen this? My dealer
said it was normal and not to worry about it but I'm not so sure.
Thanks,
LC.

 

It is called "water vapor" and it basically means that your air
conditioning is VERY VERY COLD.

 

That stuff's just fog. If you set the circulator vent open and let
humid air into the AC system that's been running, that air will
cool down and the water vapor will condense before the dehumidifier
can remove the moisture from the air. It should clear up in a minute
or two as the moist air is vented out and replaced by dry air.

David Thompson

"The humans founded America, mastered the nuclear forces, and destroyed
the original Mars about thirty thousand years ago."
"So George Washington was there when they split the atom?"
"Could have been."

-from "Triumph of the Terrans", copyright 24L1042

 

It is water vapor but it is not a normal condition. If it continues have it
checked by the dealer's A/C technician. Vapor may indicate a lack of
refrigerant, a weak compressor, or a minor leak. Those states lead to an
evaporator that is too cold.

Jim

 

Huh? I would think that those situations would lead to not enough cold.

 

Thanks for the info. It only happened that one time and hasn't repeated
itself. I think I'll just wait to see if it happens again before I get
concerned. I must admit that I am very impressed with how good the AC works
in this little car.
LC

 

If you live in a very humid area this will happen, nothing to worry about.
I have an 03 Elantra GT. This morning while driving to work with the air
conditioning on some white smoke/mist started coming out of the vents. I
turned off the ac for a few minutes then tried again with the same result.
It was an odorless white mistlike smoke. Anyone ever seen this? My dealer
said it was normal and not to worry about it but I'm not so sure.
Thanks,
LC.

 

If you live in a very humid area this will happen, nothing to worry about.

Yep. I've seen it many times. I live in South Florida, where it's hot and very
humid, especially in the summer months. Kinda alarming the first time you see
it, but nothing to worry about.

Bass Wishes from South Florida
Jack

Reply by email to k a z e e jk at ay-oh-well dot com.
Just remove the spaces, fix the last part, and so on.

 

it is NOT normal.....this fog is dried ice coming from vents, mostly lower
ones,
usually happens when drain pipe is broken/clogged, because water remains
into a/c evaporator and freezes.
let the car be checked by dealer.

ciao, Trust_no1