Hissing noise and Smoke (Vapor) when Ac switches on

23rd February 2008, 17:12

Hi,

I have a 2005 model Esteem Vxi. Recently what i have observed is that when i switch on the ac, there is a hissing noise heard from the passenger side ac vent. This noise is heard for a brief period. Then when the ac auto switches on, the hissing noise is heard again. Sometimes, it is sometimes only that i see white smoke like stuff coming out from the ac vent which is in center but nearer to steering wheel. It is odourless smoke.

Any reasons why this could be happening?

~cheers
itamnas

Pankaj401 · 24th February 2008, 20:05

Quote:

It is odourless smoke.

Could be water vapours. Do you see it everytime or just when you start the car after long? Say first time in the morning?

alankarmotor · 24th February 2008, 20:26

HI,this hissing noise is because of low level of refrigerant, getting the gas topped up will eliminate this noise.As far as the white smoke like thing which u have mentioned ,you will have to give some more info. (1) how many kilometers has your car done. (2)did u get your A/C system serviced after buying the car.(3)this smoke comes after how many kilometers of continuous driving.(4)have u noticed that when this happens is your window glass fully closed. If these informations are provided then it can be diagonised precisely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itamnas

Hi,

I have a 2005 model Esteem Vxi. Recently what i have observed is that when i switch on the ac, there is a hissing noise heard from the passenger side ac vent. This noise is heard for a brief period. Then when the ac auto switches on, the hissing noise is heard again. Sometimes, it is sometimes only that i see white smoke like stuff coming out from the ac vent which is in center but nearer to steering wheel. It is odourless smoke.

Any reasons why this could be happening?

~cheers
itamnas

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 24th February 2008, 21:44

Looks like gas leak. Take it to the service station immediately. Else, expect a big burst of "white smoke" anytime while driving.

wolfinstein · 24th February 2008, 22:22

Time to get the AC System Serviced, This problem usually comes when the gas level is low, You can also notice the same effect in Home AC's when the Gas is low.

Suggest, You service the system- at the same time also, Have Compressed Air Blown into the Vents, Or get them cleaned if you can, Remove the Cooling Coil-Clean it up and Also suggest that Get the Condenser Unit-washed and cleaned with Soap.

25th February 2008, 11:31

Thanks guys for the responses. I will ge it checked within this week

Alankarmotor, below is the answers to your questions.

(1) how many kilometers has your car done.
45000.
(2)did u get your A/C system serviced after buying the car.
Yes.
(3)this smoke comes after how many kilometers of continuous driving.
Minimum of four kms.
(4)have u noticed that when this happens is ur window glass fully closed.
When ac is on, the windows are always shut

~cheers
itamnas

gigatech2006 · 25th February 2008, 15:15

I usually notice this smoke as soon as I drive after a waterwash with A/C ON. Some times used to get it while driving on the beach road in the evenings around 4 or 5 PM. So..like someone said, this odorless smoke should be water vapor. I guess nothing to worry about this smoke thing. But do get ur A/C checked for the hissing noise.

P.S. I do get this hissing noise in my window A/C at home..and the technician said it was due to the gas getting pumped at high pressure into those small tubes.

dibbasu · 2nd April 2008, 23:23

Any idea how much does it cost to top-off the A.C Gas? Is it different for different cars?

dadu · 3rd April 2008, 09:45

The smoke is nothing but super cooled air meeting warm/hot air and the mist formation where they both meet. Means compressor is doing its job.

You can see the same effect when you open the freezer door of your refrigerator on a warm day.

Slight hissing noise can be seen in all car A/c's when the compressor starts and the gas starts filling up the cooling coils, nothing much to worry unless your cooling is not efficient enough.

DirtyDan · 3rd April 2008, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadu

The smoke is nothing but super cooled air meeting warm/hot air and the mist formation where they both meet. Means compressor is doing its job.

You can see the same effect when you open the freezer door of your refrigerator on a warm day.

Slight hissing noise can be seen in all car A/c's when the compressor starts and the gas starts filling up the cooling coils, nothing much to worry unless your cooling is not efficient enough.

I think Dadu is quite correct. If your A/C is performing well all the rest of what you describe is normal.

Jaggu · 3rd April 2008, 11:10

Dadu is spot on but check gas level also.

9th April 2008, 19:35

Got it checked with the maruti folks. AC is working fine. Thanks all

siddhu_engg24 · 7th October 2008, 10:39

Hi,
I have observed Vapors

coming out of my Swift VXi's AC Vents (in front dash) 3-4 times in the last 2 months.
Though this behavior is kinda inconsistent, as I went to Automotive, Nashik MASS & tried reproducing same in front of them but to no success.
Then again, while I was driving down Nashik - Pune highway, when I came across this issue again. So I immediately switched th AC off. That action worsen my journey, as it was raining cats & dogs on that very day & I can't drive with full visibility due to fog on windscreen.

Did someone here observed same ?
Can I have your comments as to what would be the root cause for this & also what's the resolution ?

Thanks,
siddhu

Jaggu · 7th October 2008, 10:47

Please use search tab, you will be surprised at the knowledge base we have built up on smoke's

Shashank.A · 7th October 2008, 12:22

Siddhu, the first time I noticed it even I thought something was wrong with my car, but then I noticed the same in our other car, then third car as well.

It actually has some relationship to moisture in environment. When it is raining or post rain, its common to have vapours out of AC vents.

23rd February 2008, 17:12	#1
itamnas Posts: n/a	Hissing noise and Smoke (Vapor) when Ac switches on Hi, I have a 2005 model Esteem Vxi. Recently what i have observed is that when i switch on the ac, there is a hissing noise heard from the passenger side ac vent. This noise is heard for a brief period. Then when the ac auto switches on, the hissing noise is heard again. Sometimes, it is sometimes only that i see white smoke like stuff coming out from the ac vent which is in center but nearer to steering wheel. It is odourless smoke. Any reasons why this could be happening? ~cheers itamnas
	() Thanks

24th February 2008, 21:44	#4
BaCkSeAtDrIVeR Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 2,540 Thanked: 758 Times	Looks like gas leak. Take it to the service station immediately. Else, expect a big burst of "white smoke" anytime while driving.
	() Thanks

24th February 2008, 22:22	#5
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	Time to get the AC System Serviced, This problem usually comes when the gas level is low, You can also notice the same effect in Home AC's when the Gas is low. Suggest, You service the system- at the same time also, Have Compressed Air Blown into the Vents, Or get them cleaned if you can, Remove the Cooling Coil-Clean it up and Also suggest that Get the Condenser Unit-washed and cleaned with Soap.
	() Thanks

25th February 2008, 11:31	#6
itamnas Posts: n/a	Hissing noise when Ac switches on Thanks guys for the responses. I will ge it checked within this week Alankarmotor, below is the answers to your questions. (1) how many kilometers has your car done. 45000. (2)did u get your A/C system serviced after buying the car. Yes. (3)this smoke comes after how many kilometers of continuous driving. Minimum of four kms. (4)have u noticed that when this happens is ur window glass fully closed. When ac is on, the windows are always shut ~cheers itamnas
	() Thanks

25th February 2008, 15:15	#7
gigatech2006 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: B'lore/Chennai Posts: 163 Thanked: 149 Times View My Garage	I usually notice this smoke as soon as I drive after a waterwash with A/C ON. Some times used to get it while driving on the beach road in the evenings around 4 or 5 PM. So..like someone said, this odorless smoke should be water vapor. I guess nothing to worry about this smoke thing. But do get ur A/C checked for the hissing noise. P.S. I do get this hissing noise in my window A/C at home..and the technician said it was due to the gas getting pumped at high pressure into those small tubes.
	() Thanks

2nd April 2008, 23:23	#8
dibbasu Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 23 Thanked: 0 Times	Any idea how much does it cost to top-off the A.C Gas? Is it different for different cars?
	() Thanks

3rd April 2008, 09:45	#9
dadu Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,800 Thanked: 463 Times View My Garage	The smoke is nothing but super cooled air meeting warm/hot air and the mist formation where they both meet. Means compressor is doing its job. You can see the same effect when you open the freezer door of your refrigerator on a warm day. Slight hissing noise can be seen in all car A/c's when the compressor starts and the gas starts filling up the cooling coils, nothing much to worry unless your cooling is not efficient enough. Last edited by dadu : 3rd April 2008 at 09:47.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2008, 11:10	#11
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,377 Thanked: 17,317 Times	Dadu is spot on but check gas level also.
	() Thanks

9th April 2008, 19:35	#12
itamnas Posts: n/a	Got it checked with the maruti folks. AC is working fine. Thanks all
	() Thanks

7th October 2008, 10:39	#13
siddhu_engg24 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 47 Thanked: 9 Times	Vapors coming out of AC Vents ? Hi, I have observed Vapors coming out of my Swift VXi's AC Vents (in front dash) 3-4 times in the last 2 months. Though this behavior is kinda inconsistent, as I went to Automotive, Nashik MASS & tried reproducing same in front of them but to no success. Then again, while I was driving down Nashik - Pune highway, when I came across this issue again. So I immediately switched th AC off. That action worsen my journey, as it was raining cats & dogs on that very day & I can't drive with full visibility due to fog on windscreen. Did someone here observed same ? Can I have your comments as to what would be the root cause for this & also what's the resolution ? Thanks, siddhu
	() Thanks

7th October 2008, 10:47	#14
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,377 Thanked: 17,317 Times	Please use search tab, you will be surprised at the knowledge base we have built up on smoke's
	() Thanks

7th October 2008, 12:22	#15
Shashank.A BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 484 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Siddhu, the first time I noticed it even I thought something was wrong with my car, but then I noticed the same in our other car, then third car as well. It actually has some relationship to moisture in environment. When it is raining or post rain, its common to have vapours out of AC vents.
	() Thanks