patrick323

iTrader: (1)

Friday night when I got high into rpms I saw smoke come through my vents. I, of course freaked out a little then noticed that it had to be steam because it smelled like steam. I then noticed it again a few times tonight (saturday night).
The only time I've had any steam come from my car was when I had replaced my water pump and hosed down the engine bay. The serpentine belt squeeled and smoked from being wet for about 30 seconds after I started the car up. Of course it quickly dried and stopped. Now, I've been in the car the few times it has happened so I dont know where it's originating from.

My temp gauge stays at normal level. I did replace that water pump but that was like 3500 miles ago (yet only about 2 months ago) and I've seen no signs of any coolant leak and I've been pretty aware of this since it was DIY. There is no noticeable difference in the vehicle's performance/operation when it's happened. I notice some condensation on vents in recent days from high humidity. I have seen this condensation before but never had steam.

I'm now in a constant state of annoyingly heightened awareness. Thinking I might smell something, eyes on the temp gauge, hesitant driving, etc. etc.
Could either of these conditions be a 'no big deal' factors that might keep me from worrying:
1. I had a long 2 hour commute in mostly stop and go, rush hour traffic during a very very heavy storm the day it first happened. I also drove in the rain today prior to noticing it again. Basically it's been a very wet weekend.
2. it's been abnormally high humidity where I live.

Or could someone give me a heads up on some more serious possibilities that I should check into? If I dont get a chance to see where it might be coming from and should have something specific, if not a few things looked at; I need to do it soon as I'm supposed to be taking a long Texas to northern Minnesota road trip in a week and a half.

eggwoll

iTrader: (9)

It happened to me once, I was told it is just the humidity level

patrick323

iTrader: (1)

That's good to hear. Today's 2nd time noticing it was very small. Hardly any steam at all . But last night there was a good amount. Enough for me to almost instantly pull over fearing it was real smoke.

I mean, of course since it's steam, it does have to do with the recent driving in heavy rain and humidity and isn't just a coincidence. I'm just not sure if it's just water on an outer moving part like the belt (I guess that'd be about it) or if it's possible that there's water somewhere that it shouldn't be because of the weather/water

simple

iTrader: (2)

Question 1- Was the AC on when this happen?

Question 2- When u'd said steam, do u mean hot/warm steam or just white cloud like smoke?

Bichon

Nothing to worry about. This topic comes up every once in a while; this occurs when you blow very cold air into an extremely humid cabin, mostly at times when the sun isn't very strong. Here is a link to a previous thread: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...r-from-ac.html

muf-dvr

+1 for this. My IS 300 would do it all the time. Just a damn good AC

Dunkin1222

boooyaaaa!

patrick323

iTrader: (1)

awesome. thanks

E6BAV8R

I was about to say the same thing, Patrick. I was driving around with my AC on Friday night and my windows were fogging up like a *****; and defrosters were only making it worse. It was night and I didn't notice any steam out of the vents, but it came out of the vents all the time in my last car when it was really humid outside and you turn the AC on. ...especially with all the humidity we've been having lately.