White Mist/Steam/Smoke Coming From Center Vents
#1
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2017 E300
White Mist/Steam/Smoke Coming From Center Vents
Today wasnt a particular hot day in SF but I went down to the peninsula and I needed some AC. But on route there, it wasnt cold nor hot so i just had the air on, but no AC.
Well I was intermittently switching the AC button On and Off when I got to my destination in an attempt to dry out the vents and also to adjust temperature when it got too cold. All of a sudden, when I had the AC back on, my rear passenger noticed white mist or steam or smoke (no smell to it though) coming out from the front center vents only. The air was still cold, and this continued for a good minute until I switched off the AC.
When i switched on the AC, no more came out. This was just really strange to me. Could it be that the cold and hot temperature of my surroundings created the perfect conditions for the condensation to turn to a mist?
Anyways, just wanted to get some advice on whether or I should get it checked out asap.
Thanks
Well I was intermittently switching the AC button On and Off when I got to my destination in an attempt to dry out the vents and also to adjust temperature when it got too cold. All of a sudden, when I had the AC back on, my rear passenger noticed white mist or steam or smoke (no smell to it though) coming out from the front center vents only. The air was still cold, and this continued for a good minute until I switched off the AC.
When i switched on the AC, no more came out. This was just really strange to me. Could it be that the cold and hot temperature of my surroundings created the perfect conditions for the condensation to turn to a mist?
Anyways, just wanted to get some advice on whether or I should get it checked out asap.
Thanks
#2
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C-300, XC70, Wrangler
Icing on the coils might cause this, and you're switching it on and off frequently may have led to the situation.
For now, I'd leave it alone, try it again on another warm day and see how it works. If it persists, I might take it to a dealer. Probably won't persist, though.
For now, I'd leave it alone, try it again on another warm day and see how it works. If it persists, I might take it to a dealer. Probably won't persist, though.
#3
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Today wasnt a particular hot day in SF but I went down to the peninsula and I needed some AC. But on route there, it wasnt cold nor hot so i just had the air on, but no AC.
Well I was intermittently switching the AC button On and Off when I got to my destination in an attempt to dry out the vents and also to adjust temperature when it got too cold. All of a sudden, when I had the AC back on, my rear passenger noticed white mist or steam or smoke (no smell to it though) coming out from the front center vents only. The air was still cold, and this continued for a good minute until I switched off the AC.
When i switched on the AC, no more came out. This was just really strange to me. Could it be that the cold and hot temperature of my surroundings created the perfect conditions for the condensation to turn to a mist?
Anyways, just wanted to get some advice on whether or I should get it checked out asap.
Thanks
Well I was intermittently switching the AC button On and Off when I got to my destination in an attempt to dry out the vents and also to adjust temperature when it got too cold. All of a sudden, when I had the AC back on, my rear passenger noticed white mist or steam or smoke (no smell to it though) coming out from the front center vents only. The air was still cold, and this continued for a good minute until I switched off the AC.
When i switched on the AC, no more came out. This was just really strange to me. Could it be that the cold and hot temperature of my surroundings created the perfect conditions for the condensation to turn to a mist?
Anyways, just wanted to get some advice on whether or I should get it checked out asap.
Thanks
#4
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This is normal. It's just like the icy vapor wafting around a frozen beer mug on the counter. I would either leave the AC on or leave it off but not go back and forth as the moisture could end up giving your the AC vent the "funk" if you start growing something in the moist air tubes.
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C350 and a Lightning.
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C350 and a Lightning.
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#8
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right now im in my room staring out to a gray sky. its a really despressing place to live when its like 100 degrees everywhere else but in SF. lol.
Actually, it is just certain areas of the city. if you say by the coast (ocean beach area), you will get the fog, especially at night rolling in. But stay downtown and there is sun!
funny, I do what I do so that there wont be anything growing there. my reasoning is that the warmer air from not turning on the AC would dry the vents. anyways, thanks for everyones help
Actually, it is just certain areas of the city. if you say by the coast (ocean beach area), you will get the fog, especially at night rolling in. But stay downtown and there is sun!
I would either leave the AC on or leave it off but not go back and forth as the moisture could end up giving your the AC vent the "funk" if you start growing something in the moist air tubes.
#9
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2009 C300
If James Bond was in your car, yes - if not, this seems a bit weird to me. I've done the same thing up/around/in SF and never had this happen. Then again, I had the dealer treat my evaporator coils because they were musky/moldy, so that may have had an impact, too.
Good luck w/this one.
Good luck w/this one.
#10
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2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
Today wasnt a particular hot day in SF but I went down to the peninsula and I needed some AC. But on route there, it wasnt cold nor hot so i just had the air on, but no AC.
Well I was intermittently switching the AC button On and Off when I got to my destination in an attempt to dry out the vents and also to adjust temperature when it got too cold. All of a sudden, when I had the AC back on, my rear passenger noticed white mist or steam or smoke (no smell to it though) coming out from the front center vents only. The air was still cold, and this continued for a good minute until I switched off the AC.
When i switched on the AC, no more came out. This was just really strange to me. Could it be that the cold and hot temperature of my surroundings created the perfect conditions for the condensation to turn to a mist?
Anyways, just wanted to get some advice on whether or I should get it checked out asap.
Thanks
Well I was intermittently switching the AC button On and Off when I got to my destination in an attempt to dry out the vents and also to adjust temperature when it got too cold. All of a sudden, when I had the AC back on, my rear passenger noticed white mist or steam or smoke (no smell to it though) coming out from the front center vents only. The air was still cold, and this continued for a good minute until I switched off the AC.
When i switched on the AC, no more came out. This was just really strange to me. Could it be that the cold and hot temperature of my surroundings created the perfect conditions for the condensation to turn to a mist?
Anyways, just wanted to get some advice on whether or I should get it checked out asap.
Thanks
#11
Had the same issue this morning coming to work.. A little more humid today than average, but nothing crazy (I'm in the NW we don't know what humidity is).
Odd... adding to the list of dealer fixes
Odd... adding to the list of dealer fixes
#12
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'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Just yesterday here in Seattle the humidity was 97% (unheard of here and an all time record) with an outside temp over 70 deg F. Since I leave my AC on automatic all the time (and why not?) this never happens to my car.
Yesterday's dewpoint was about 2 deg below the temp and if it had been colder we would have had fog except for the sunshine, I guess.
#13
Yeah, I'm down in Portland and it has turned out to be a VERY muggy day.. I feel like I'm sweating just sitting in my office. Well good to hear that it's not a big deal (the AC gas of death)
I felt like I was in some Austin powers movie and someone had rigged laughing gas to flow through the vents..
I felt like I was in some Austin powers movie and someone had rigged laughing gas to flow through the vents..
#14
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High humidity!
Ever sat on the ground in an aircraft in Singapore or Bangkok waiting for clearance. Aircon blows plenty of water vapour into the cabin.
Ever sat on the ground in an aircraft in Singapore or Bangkok waiting for clearance. Aircon blows plenty of water vapour into the cabin.