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White vapor or steam blowing out of the A/C vents: Causes & How to Fix It

If your vehicle is showing white vapor or steam blowing out of the a/c vents, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.

Most likely causes

High Humidity and Clogged Evaporator Drainminor

In humid conditions, cold A/C air condenses moisture into a visible mist. If the A/C drain tube is clogged, water pools in the HVAC box, making this misting effect much more frequent and often causing a musty odor.

Leaking Heater Coreurgent

A leak in the heater core allows hot engine coolant to escape into the ventilation system as steam. This vapor typically has a sweet smell and will leave a greasy, foggy film on the inside of the windshield.

Evaporator Freezing due to Low Refrigerantaddress soon

A slow refrigerant leak causes the evaporator coil pressure to drop, making it freeze over with ice. As the ice melts or cold air blows past it, it creates a white mist out of the vents.

Faulty A/C Expansion Valveaddress soon

If the expansion valve is stuck open or malfunctioning, it feeds improper amounts of refrigerant into the evaporator. This causes the core to freeze into a block of ice, producing vapor as warm air hits it.

Stuck A/C Compressor Relay or Thermo Switchaddress soon

A faulty relay or temperature switch can cause the A/C compressor to run continuously without cycling off. This overcools the system, freezing the evaporator and blowing icy mist into the cabin.

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