smoke out of A/C vents (??)

[fongo]

:confused:
Hi everyone.
I'm seeing smoke/mist coming out of the A/C vents when I turn the A/C on or keep the vents open while driving and I'm quite worried!
It does have an anti-freeze king of smell. Any possible sign of coolant sipping into the A/C vent line? (never heard of this).
Please help. Thanks a billion!
fongo:D

[fongo]

Anyone has any comments??
Problem is getting worse. I have anti-freeze leaking out from lower-floor vents on BOTH passanger & driver side.
I read somewhere that it could be the heater core (???)
whaghh!:(

[bailey_57]

sounds like a heater core issue. are you losing coolant? is the car overheating? is water leaking out of the firewall drain hole on the passenger side behind the AC evaporator? do you have a puddle of coolant soaked into your rug on the passenger side? Your problem sounds like a bad heater core to me.:( don't worry, the good news is you only have to remove the console and the dash(if your really good i think you can get the dash out without removing the console) my last core only cost 25 bucks from A&A. good luck. and make sure you check the heater core hoses and replace those along with the clamps.

[fongo]

Thanks bailey_57!
That's exactly what's happening. In the Chilton's manual, it says that if your car is A/C equipped you remove the evaporator assembly to get to the heater core. Does that mean you dont have to remove the panel & console (oh man, what a pain!!):eek:
Do you know approx how much it costs to have a shop drain out the refrigerant from the A/C etc and replace the heater core??
Thanks for your help!!
fongo

[bailey_57]

i have a guy that does stuff real cheap for me and he charged me 380 dollars to replace it. the second time i did it myself, and saved a ton of money but i'll never do it again! it SUX. good luck, i don't know that you have to remove the evaporator, my ac was already unfilled from leaking orings, so my heater box wasn't pressurized.

[fongo]

Thanks!
The local Ford dealer wants $850 + tax.
Oh well..you gotta do whatcha gotta do...

[bailey_57]

oh my god $850 :(. Thats terrible! These dealers are crazy. How many hours were you quoted? I paid 38 per hour and it was a ten hour job. Good luck.

[USMC302]

I was able to change the heater core without pulling th dash out, I unbolted it and was able to ull it out far enough on the passengerside to squeeze it out and the new one in. Took around 4 or 5 hours...Good luck.