AC blows white smoke???

[Alpinejwl]

So I started my p5 today, warmed it up and drove to work. I turned the AC on 1 dial, and got on the freeway. About 10 minutes and 10 miles later, I notice that white smokes are coming out of the AC vent occasionally. I smelled it and it's not a burn smell, the AC was still cold. The smoke would show up once a while, but temp guage still stay the same, no burn smell, so I don't think it's the radiator. What could it be?? My car is pretty much stock, with only a mod pipe, muffler and rims. 2002 p5. slightly under 60,000 miles

 

[MP5s Make Ready]

My thought, when it's really humid outside here in Texas, (Everyday) and I turn the A/C on you can see the "smoke" coming from the vents, it's just the air.

 

[Mike R]

That's condensation, might be because of the humidity or the A/C charge is low.

 

[FunkyBuddha]

Ya..happens on airplanes too.

 

[Alpinejwl]

so I shouldn't have anything to worry about?? Man, that s*** scares me!

 

[Mike R]

Nothing other than a leaky ac system, but that is in the engine compartment, not the passenger compartment. Nothing that'll kill you or blow the engine up.

 

[Alpinejwl]

That's condensation, might be because of the humidity or the A/C charge is low.

how do I raise the A/C charge?

 

[Mike R]

Get a $20 setup from walmart or an autoparts store. But as I also said-you have a leak. That needs to be fixed first.

 

[ssmp5]

If you had a leak in your system and blew that much smoke, it shouldn't be blowin' cold anymore.

 

[Alpinejwl]

yeah the A/C is still pretty cold. So does that means I still have a leak? It has been pretty humid around here, so I was hoping it's the condensation =p

 

[kcbhiw]

It's normal. It's just condensation. Notice that it doesn't occur when you've set the AC to recirculate. Most of the humidity in the passenger cabin has already been evacuated in the recirculation mode. When bringing in outside air, the evaporator is constantly exposed to humid [external] air, thusly condensating on the evaporator which is in line with the blower.

 

[p5power]

i had this happen to me in my first car...it was definitely not condensation...

 

[Alpinejwl]

condesnsation or not condesnation; that's the question. I do have it on outside air. Let me try to see if it will happen if I do inside air only.

 

[Johnnybass]

condesnsation or not condesnation; that's the question. I do have it on outside air. Let me try to see if it will happen if I do inside air only.

its just condensation...its happened in every car i've ever been in with the A/C on and real humid weather...and it happened on my plane too while leaving Punta Cana...hot and cold air make condensation...especially if it didn't smell

 

[Ryoga28]

It's normal. It's just condensation. Notice that it doesn't occur when you've set the AC to recirculate. Most of the humidity in the passenger cabin has already been evacuated in the recirculation mode. When bringing in outside air, the evaporator is constantly exposed to humid [external] air, thusly condensating on the evaporator which is in line with the blower.

Yup agreed. The white smoke effect doesn't occur if you have the ac on recirculate.

 

[Canecreekfreak]

yeah the A/C is still pretty cold. So does that means I still have a leak? It has been pretty humid around here, so I was hoping it's the condensation =p

It's just condensation. Nothing to worry about.

 

[KYMP5]

it does that in my RX8 on cooler but humid mornings on my way to the office. Nothing to worry bout

 

[Pro5Monkey]

White smoke eh? Hmmm. Did you buy the car at a sheriff's auction? Maybe there's some "goodies" stashed in the A/C system! Please bring the car to Pennsylvania, I will inspect it immediately! (stoned)

 

[Johnnybass]

White smoke eh? Hmmm. Did you buy the car at a sheriff's auction? Maybe there's some "goodies" stashed in the A/C system! Please bring the car to Pennsylvania, I will inspect it immediately! (stoned)

i'll second that...stop on by (stoned) (sssh)

 

[Pro5Monkey]

i'll second that...stop on by (stoned) (sssh)

West Chester, eh? I'm your neighbor, right up the street in beautiful Pottstown. Man, let me tell you, there's nothing like seeing the sun rise over the cooling towers down at Limerick Nuclear Generating Station.

Ahh, I'm in paradise... (confused)