I have an 04 wrx with about 24,000 miles. Since about June, I have had what I guess would be best descirbed as white smoke coming from the vents when the AC is on. It is not actually smoke, it has no smell to it and it doesn't fill the cabin, it dissipates right away. It does not happen all the time and even when it does it is only intermittent. It will release a shot if this 'smoke' for a few seconds then stop and it will do this every few minutes. I ran the AC all last summer without this happening. It started this summer once I started using the AC regularly.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be and if it something to be concerned about? Any ideas are appreciated. thanks

 

That's what you get for installing an aftermarket boost controller and catback exhaust. You can't expect Subaru to fix anything on your car now... WOH, sorry, I just woke up from a bad dream.

 

Hi, I have a high mileage '04 Impreza also. I am not sure that we are experiencing the same non-problem but my AC is also smoking now. However if I am reading your post correctly this has just started happening? Mine started doing the "smoking" thing about the same time I noticed a lot of noise coming from the AC when I am in drive and stopped. Despite the fact that this is a "normal" occurrence in humid climates our cars are new and so is this problem. I know that this is probably a girl answer but I would check to make sure the system is actually working properly. I would expect that an older car might allow moisture to acumulate in the AC system but my car has had all the proper maintenance including the 30,000 mile check up so I don't think that you are being overly picky or making a problem where there isn't one. Once again if this were a 5 year old car big deal right, but ours are only 1 year olds. So check & be sure someone didn't loosen something or that there is something else wrong. And if you find out there is could you tell me what it is so I can get my "normal" issue fixed.

 

Now see, I understand the science but what I don't understand is the function. See it's humid here all summer so your logic would indicate that it would have done this all summer? Not the case, this is a recent thing, it's been doing this for less than a month. The can always has condensation, my air conditioner didn't? So to apply logic again, what has changed that is now causing the phenomenon? Rationally, there has to be a cause and effect correct?

P.S. I live in Massachusetts so I would say that it's pretty humid here from about May to September.

 

Well, first off I want to thank you for pointing out something that should have been very obvious to me since I have never been able to get one thing fixed on My Subaru, I don't speak the same language as you all do!!!! Apparently Subaru language is one where you focus on the silly girl stuff I say and ignore what I acutally stated. Please feel free to read back into my post but here's a quote:

"about the same time I noticed a lot of noise coming from the AC when I am in drive and stopped"

See I mistakenly thought that there could be some connection between a problem like noise from my condenser and the smoke from the vents. Like maybe my AC system might be compromised some how?

So seriously thank you!!!! From now on when I go to the Subaru dealer I will not complain about the problems verbally I will make them sit in the car & figure it out all by themselves. I know now that my mistake was they stopped listening!!!

LOL!!!! Thanks boys....

 

Check out Peaty's link: there in tiny print at the very bottom is the phrase, so if you have checked out the system and can find nothing wrong... So gee whiz I could actually have been right? You should have the system checked per the, Gosh, I hate to say it, but might that be the owner's manual or a manual for the auto mechanics? Oh no the horror!!!!

LOL as I said Duh.... Did I mention I have put 32,000 miles on my soon to be 1 year old car? I may not fix the things but, I sure do break them!!! My last two cars went 150,000, I put 75,000 of the miles on it in 3 years & 175,000 in 4 years. I love to drive!!!!

Thanks Peaty Score one for the Dumb Girl!!!!!

 

Alright I give all ready, the mist from the vent's was not really my issue. I too have opened the fridge and experienced the mist coming from it. In fact it is the subject of two bulletins on the www.mycarstats.com for the 2002 Impreza, under equipment. Apparently Peaty's note is a fix for this.

My issue was the ongoing noise from the AC compressor unit when I was stopped in drive or reverse. The compressor is loud with an ongoing rumbling not a single noise more like a roar!!

Sorry for the teasing on the mist!!!