That Vexing Vapor Venting (Vapor Coming out of Vents)
April 28, 2024
You may have noticed sometimes on a hot and humid day, vapor will come out of your vehicle's vents when you have the air conditioning on. Is that something to be concerned about? Well, it depends.
Sometimes that steam or vapor can be caused by water accumulating in the vent system after it has condensed. And sometimes water can pool at the bottom of a vent. When you turn on the blower mower, the air hits the water and may create steam or vapor that you can see in the cabin.
One thing to check is if that vapor smells like anything. If it doesn't, that's a good sign. You may be able to run the fan for a while and the issue may just go away when things dry out. But moisture collecting in the ventilation hoses in a hot vehicle may be a breeding ground for mold, and that can have health consequences.
There's another possibility. Ventilation systems often have drains to get rid of any accumulated water, and debris can sometimes clog them. A technician can clean out those drains and you'll be back in business.
One thing to nose around for is a sweet smell coming out of your vents. Sometimes the heater core (a component of your vehicle's heater system) can develop very tiny holes. That sweet smell may be coolant that's been vaporized by those tiny holes entering your cabin.
It's always a good thing to mention to your service advisor any abnormality you're seeing—or smelling—in your vehicle. By venting a little about your vents, a technician can get to the bottom of the problem before it starts "clouding" the issue.
Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak
3110 Rochester Rd
Royal Oak, Michigan 48073
248-585-0980
http://www.toptechautorepairroyaloak.com
Need Service?
More articles from Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak
Lubricate Driveshaft
June 15, 2025
See if any of these are happening to your vehicle. You feel it vibrating excessively underneath when its running, or you hear strange clunking, grating, or grinding sounds coming from beneath. Maybe its hard to turn your vehicle, or you can hear squeaking when youre going slow. Perhaps you fee... More
Have a Ball! Know your Ball Joints (Ball Joints)
June 9, 2025
We all have joints in our own skeletal system, but did you know your vehicle has some joints of its own? One of the most important is called a ball joint. One of the interesting things is that it's somewhat similar to the ball and socket joints we have in our hips and shoulders. A ball joint all... More
Positive Crankcase Ventilation ? PCV Valve Service at Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak
June 2, 2025
Hello Royal Oak! Did you know that the first federally-mandated emissions control device was introduced in the 1960's? The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, or PCV valve, has been installed in Michigan vehicles since 1964 and represents the first legislation by the United States government to... More