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
Why is Air Not Coming Out of My Vents?
December 7, 2025
You climb inside your vehicle, start the ignition, and reach for the fan control for the heating or air conditioning. But when you try to crank it up, no air comes out of the vents. It can make for a very uncomfortable trip, whether its hot or cold outside. Its important for the comfort of you a... More
Why You Have an O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor)
November 30, 2025
If someone asked you what gas made up the largest portion of the atmosphere, what would you guess? Well, it's not oxygen; it only makes up 20.9 percent. But since we're talking about oxygen, you should know that your vehicle uses oxygen sensors to make sure your engine is running the way it shou... More
Cold Weather Vehicle No-Nos (Items to Avoid Storing in a Freezing Vehicle)
November 23, 2025
It's always easier to leave a few things in your vehicle so you'll have them on hand. But in cold weather, while it's a good idea to carry items such as a phone charger, blanket and shovel, there are some things you shouldn't store in your vehicle. Medicines and drugs. Cold temperatures can af... More