Smoke through A/C?

[Jergin01]

Well this one stumpped me. It started out by just fogging up my front window, and I couldn't understand why. Today I realized that some kind of smoke is coming out of my vents. Even if the temperature dial is set all the way on blue it still seems to have hot, smokey are coming out. THe more gas you give it the more the smoke comes out. I also believe it smells like dirty anti-freeze. I may be wrong about the smell, all I know is that it does not smell healthy. Any one know what's going on?

[duke350]

First guess would be the heater core is leaking. This would leave a film on the windshield if that is what is fogging it up, and the carpet may be getting damp if it is bad enough. It may also be a clogged drain line, but that would not smell like antifreeze.
It may also be the A/C unit in the dash leaking freon.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by Jergin01

Well this one stumpped me. It started out by just fogging up my front window, and I couldn't understand why. Today I realized that some kind of smoke is coming out of my vents. Even if the temperature dial is set all the way on blue it still seems to have hot, smokey are coming out. THe more gas you give it the more the smoke comes out. I also believe it smells like dirty anti-freeze. I may be wrong about the smell, all I know is that it does not smell healthy. Any one know what's going on?

You are right on not a healty smell.
Do not breath the fumes off of it.
If anti freeze smell it may be a heater core leaking.
But make sure the heater hose connections at fire wall are not leaking back into the heater housing.
If heater core is leaking and you have to pull it run a ac leak test on the AC evaporator first.
If the ac is not cooling there may be a leak there to.
Check it out first before pulling heater core out.
A sniffer or ac leak dye works good for ac leaks.
Good Luck
MT

[Jergin01]

Well after taking a closer look, I notice antifreeze is infact leaking. The leak is directly behind the front passenger tire. The antifreeze was all over the frame and torsion bar, it appears as if it is leaking from somewhere other then the bottom of the car. Does this seem like a heater core problem more than the a/c now?

[MT-2500]

No cold air is a AC problem.
Engine coolant leak in heater core is a heater problem.
Needs proper testing to make sure it is the heater core leaking and not engine coolant getting in there from a leak at the heater hoses where they fasten on heater core.
Could be either one.
If ac evaporator core is leaking and heater core both is leaking it is a good time to fix both when the heater core box is out.
It may save you from having to pull it apart a second time.
It sometimes runs 10-12 hrs just to replace heater core.
Good Luck
MT

[old_master]

The heater core is replaced from inside the vehicle. The evaporator is replaced from under the hood. The dash is not removed for evaporator replacement, but the right fender must be removed.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by old_master

The heater core is replaced from inside the vehicle. The evaporator is replaced from under the hood. The dash is not removed for evaporator replacement, but the right fender must be removed.

Thanks for pointing that out Old master.
I always think of it being inside.
But still a good time to check the ac problem before going into the heater.
Watch and check the controls and vacuum valves and doors and operation.
MT

[old_master]

No problem MT. Some vehicles the evaporator is serviced from inside, but most are from under the hood. S/T body evaporator replacement ranks very low on the "fun job" list. Gotta remove the hood, fender, fender liner, VCM, and a whole list of other stuff. Not as bad as some vehicles, but worse than most. If you add dye to the A/C system, and the evaporator has a leak, when you remove the heater core, the evaporator is in plain view and the dye is easily spotted.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by old_master

No problem MT. Some vehicles the evaporator is serviced from inside, but most are from under the hood. S/T body evaporator replacement ranks very low on the "fun job" list. Gotta remove the hood, fender, fender liner, VCM, and a whole list of other stuff. Not as bad as some vehicles, but worse than most. If you add dye to the A/C system, and the evaporator has a leak, when you remove the heater core, the evaporator is in plain view and the dye is easily spotted.

if you think it's no fun on the S/T, check out this link to see the worst i've ever seen. too bad the pics have expired. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=693150