Smoke and Strong Smell from Vents

[ehcanadian]

Hi everyone,

Hoping someone can give me some insight as to what is going on with my A/C I'm assuming. I started the truck as normal but upon start up my vents began blowing out light white smoke with a strong smell I can't exactly describe, it smelt like burning but not exactly, the closest thing I can think it smells like is the chemical reaction after an air bag goes off.

I thought it was just the air mixing to start, however the smell has me concerned. After a few hours the smell is still lingering after trying to air it out. No lights or anything on the dash and it ran totally fine yesterday with no issues, only difference is it snowed over night. Ill start it up again in the morning and update

Vehicles a 2016 trail premium with 35k on it. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[flea1983]

Heater core?

 

[ehcanadian]

Heater core?

That’s what I was thinking, however To my limited ac knowledge the smell is normally a sweet smell? This for sure is not sweet

 

[Jeffy]

Blower motor possibly failing and burning, then leaking into the vents? You didn't mention any weird noises, but electric motors often smoke without adding noise. Does it happen at all fan speeds? Does it happen only with A/C on? If you turn the dial to the coldest setting (but not A/C) does it still happen?

No matter what, be very cautious that it's not noxious, that would be less than ideal if you pass out driving down the freeway.

 

[ehcanadian]

Blower motor possibly failing and burning, then leaking into the vents? You didn't mention any weird noises, but electric motors often smoke without adding noise. Does it happen at all fan speeds? Does it happen only with A/C on? If you turn the dial to the coldest setting (but not A/C) does it still happen?

No matter what, be very cautious that it's not noxious, that would be less than ideal if you pass out driving down the freeway.

Zero noise aside from the norm. I will check as you mentioned and update this post.

I am a bit nervous about that as I do have a 100 mile round trip commute for work

 

[LandCruiser]

My blower motor went out without any weird noises or funny smells. It just got real weak then crapped out over the course of a month.

 

[flea1983]

That’s what I was thinking, however To my limited ac knowledge the smell is normally a sweet smell? This for sure is not sweet

I had a heater core go out in an gmc Sonoma pickup when I was younger. To me it smelled similar to what you were describing. It was an awful smell. Not saying that’s what it is, just what came to mind.

 

[ehcanadian]

Wanted to update you guys. The following morning I was able to re-create what had been going on Either on full warm or full cold its was going. Took it to the dealer this morning for my regular ever 5k appointment and they told me it was the probably the heater core or the fan starting to go and they asked me to come back when they can put aside the time for more then your standard service, No problem at all.

Long story short I might not ever get my answer for what the issue was as less then a mile down the road I was rear ended by a dump truck while I was stopped waiting at a red light. Separated shoulder, concussion and a bunch of chipped teeth later I'm happy it wasn't much worse.

picture the cop took didn't do it justice but...

 

[Jeffy]

Damn, glad you're (mostly) ok! Is it totalled then? I don't see airbag deployment and it doesn't look like the frame got touched.

 

[ehcanadian]

Damn, glad you're (mostly) ok! Is it totalled then? I don't see airbag deployment and it doesn't look like the frame got touched.

Could have been much worse, so thank you I appreciate it! However I am not sure, the officer and adjuster so far have reported “frame damage” I was not able to take a picture as the EMTs tried to get my shoulder back in. So I’m relying on the officers view point at this point. The pressure Inside the cabin was enough to actually “pop” the sunroof open as well as break seals on the front window.

The adjusters report should be in tomorrow when I meet with my lawyer

 

[Jeffy]

Could have been much worse, so thank you I appreciate it! However I am not sure, the officer and adjuster so far have reported “frame damage” I was not able to take a picture as the EMTs tried to get my shoulder back in. So I’m relying on the officers view point at this point. The pressure Inside the cabin was enough to actually “pop” the sunroof open as well as break seals on the front window.

The adjusters report should be in tomorrow when I meet with my lawyer

Man, that sounds like the most complicated way to diagnose the smoke issue. I would have gone with the heater core...

Really though, hope you recover quick!

 

[tristero]

Separated shoulder, concussion and a bunch of chipped teeth later I'm happy it wasn't much worse.

picture the cop took didn't do it justice but...

Holy $4!T. How fast was the dump truck going?

The way I see it is you walked away, and now you have a cool story to tell, and maybe some cool scars. Plus whatever settlement money, totaled or not.

 

[ehcanadian]

Holy $4!T. How fast was the dump truck going?

The way I see it is you walked away, and now you have a cool story to tell, and maybe some cool scars. Plus whatever settlement money, totaled or not.

Appreciate the concern, seriously appreciate it! Honestly I don't remember, If I had to say he probably hit me at 25. Concussion is kinda screwing with my memory.

I guess the amount of pressure inside the cabin was to much for the seals, I mean I had a blender bottle of water inside with the cap on, the cap had actually popped and water went every where.

In the process of having it towed as we speak so hopefully Ill have some damage details soon!

 

[1jzgte]

hey.... i got an idea.. you could say that you noticed white smoke and a funky smell after you got hit

 

[ADK Explorer]

I'm glad your ok. Man I would be pissed! That Icehole driver was probably texting. I know we all hate how litigious people are but in this circumstance I would sue the crap out of that driver and his company. What if you had kids in the car? Cash in buddy. This kind of negligence can't be allowed to slide.

 

[ehcanadian]

hey.... i got an idea.. you could say that you noticed white smoke and a funky smell after you got hit

shhhhhhhhh :

I'm glad your ok. Man I would be pissed! That Icehole driver was probably texting. I know we all hate how litigious people are but in this circumstance I would sue the crap out of that driver and his company. What if you had kids in the car? Cash in buddy. This kind of negligence can't be allowed to slide.

I do appreciate it a ton! The argument he gave was "his brakes on the truck aren't good" if that's the case he should have known to compensate more stopping distance, ie he wasn't paying attention... Cause I had been at that light for a solid 2 minutes before he made impact. I understand mistakes, however he never got out of the truck to see if I was okay, I looked in my mirror and he was on the phone already with someone... Be a reasonable person first then try to cover your ass buddy.

Attached just a few pics that had been sent to me. Shop says that "line" across the rear bumper is the frame being warped upward but they have yet to dig deeper, the rear shake the officer described as he moved it through the intersection has me concerned.

 

[ADK Explorer]

I to was rear ended years ago sitting at a red light in the rain. Guy in a pickup totaled my 67 Chevy Impala party mobile. I was bummed but uninjured. At least you had a strong enough vehicle to keep the dump truck out of your front seat. Crap like this sucks but if you can walk away from it I guess you can count your blessings. I hope settling this whole mess isn't too much of a hassel. Maybe you can get a shiny new 2018 out of it.