A/C question

Birdman · 07-26-2005, 10:42 PM

I've noticed "fog" coming from my a/c vents some times when I have the a/c on. Has any one noticed this? Is it a problem?

Titank · 07-26-2005, 10:54 PM

Is the 'fog' wet to the touch if you run your hand through it? If it is... you may have a small R134a refrigerant leak in your condenser. R134a turns into a mist when exposed to the air...

I would go get it checked by the dealer if under warrenty. If not, you can get a can of R134a leak kit which includes a infared glasses and light. When you use their refrigerant, the 'fog' should turn purple under the IR light.... then you know it's a leak

fklentz · 07-26-2005, 11:42 PM

If it was a 134 leak you'd know because it would shortly run out of refrigerant and stop cooling. If it's a humid day and you don't have recirc selected it was probably normal. As the air passes thru the A\C evaporator it will try to remove as much moisture as it can but it may not be able to remove as much as should be removed resulting in a slight fog, kind of like you see at the supermarket when you open a door in the frozen food section on a damp day.

I'd suspect it was humid the days you saw the fog, try using the recirc selector to better dehydrate the cab air.

skytop · 07-27-2005, 07:03 AM

When hot humid air is mixed with cold dehumidified air the result may be fog. The cold air blowing into the hot humid passenger cabin can result in the appearance of fog.
I have experienced this over the years since my first A/C car (Karmen Ghia w/ Chrysler A/C unit) in 1971.

Birdman · 07-27-2005, 08:14 AM

I have noticed it on humid days. The ac is ice cold.

mopar · 07-27-2005, 09:13 AM

I think you must have the rockford fosgate disco fogmachine option(very limited edition and rare) just go to your dealer and tell them they forgot to give you the mirrored ball to hang from the mirror.
JK
Probably just the humidity.

phlydude · 07-27-2005, 10:18 AM

It is normal. It is the humidity in the air turning to condensation when the cold air hits it (like breathing in the winter) as others have said.

If you want to be creeped out, try flying out of Punta Cana, Dominican Repulic in July in the afternoon. Since the airport is nothing more than thatched roof buildings, the planes don't have jetways, you walk up and down steps to get into the plane. The front door is open and the engines are off until the doors are shut making it quite steamy in there. When they shut the door and crank the A/C, the entire cabin fills with humidity fog (which they warn you about) until all the moisture is removed from inside the plane.

devilpuppy · 07-27-2005, 11:01 AM

I agree with most of the comments, when I have it on and then turn it off the air still flows through the cab somewhat. If I turn the AC back on you can really see it flowing from the vents. In my opinion that tells me that the AC is straight kicking and it's very cold. All good in the very hot very humid Virginia heat.