White Mist/Steam/Smoke Coming From Center Vents
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 85
From: San Francisco, CA
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
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
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.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 28
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
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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From: Carlsbad California
C350 and a Lightning.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,073
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From: San Francisco, CA
2017 E300
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.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 5
From: SFV CA
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'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.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 9
2017 C43
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..
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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.
