Water Vapor From Ac Vents

[JustSomeGuy]

When the AC is running, sometimes I can see what looks like water vapor or smoke coming out of the front AC vents above the radio. Is this normal? I don't think it's smoke because it has no smell.

The car is an 1997 ES300.

[gbhrps]

JustSomeGuy,

I've seen the same occurrence in the passenger compartment of aircraft when they first close the doors and fire up the air conditioning before takeoff. It may be condensation coming off the coolant tubes? It may be nothing to worry about...but I'm not certain. The only other time I've seen the same result, it was a leaking heater core, but you could smell antifreeze inside the car.

[JustSomeGuy]

gbhrps, Thanks. I hope it's nothing. It's seen it happening a few times for a long time now so I think it's ok. Next time I stop by Lexus I'll ask them about it.

[SKperformance]

Are you sure it is liquid vapour and not dust?

It might be mould spores that are in the vents that get disturbed and release into the cabin.

They don;t smell but can make you real sick over time.

[JustSomeGuy]

SKperformance: It looks like water vapor to me... because it disappears after a few seconds. The next time I get into the car I'll pay closer attention. I just saw the same thing happen on an old Quest mini van.

[91L3xus]

My friend has a 2002 Wrangler that was involved in an accidnet. He hit a deer, causing mild damage to the front, and was rear-ended by my other friend in an Expidition, following too close. It took 3 weeks to repair. When he got it back, moisture started to develop above the vents, which he would just wipe off, only for it to appear again. I think they reconnected the A/C wrong when repairing the front end damage.

Another reason for you to get moisture coming out of the vents is the extreme humidity. His Jeep is black, which attracts a lot of heat, and when the A/C is turned on, the high level of moisture begins to condensate and it appears that a mist is coming from the vents.