Hey, I'm new here but since I've fallen in love with this car and I really want to keep it, so I guess you'll be seeing a lot of me. Be forewarned, I'm not really all that mechanically inclined but I'm willing to learn.

Anyway, I drive a 99 Durango SLT with the Magnum V8 (not sure of the engine size).

I'm getting whisps of smoke from the middle vents. I don't see anything coming out of the far right or the far left. I don't even know what the smoke is. To me, it doesn't really have an odor but I smoke a lot of cigs so who knows.

I do know the harsh smell of burning electronics/wires but that's not it. I guess I'm looking for a small leak of something right where it picks up air for the middle vents.

What are the most common causes? If this was happening to you, what would your first suspect be?

 

it picks up air for all vents from the passenger side footwell if im not mistaken, also if im not mistaken that is close the 'ash tray' area in these trucks, if you have a cigarette sitting in the ashtray smoldering that could be what you are seeing being pulled threw and blown back out, or maybe you dropped a cigarette and its just smoldering near there . . .

 

Thanks for the reply but I've already vowed never to smoke in the ride so I know it's not a cigarette.

I'll check out what's going on over in the passenger side footwell next time I'm "working" on the truck.

 

If it is hot outside and the AC on inside, you can get wisps of water vapour as the air is cooled. Think of it like seeing your breath outside on a cold day. Could be that same thing.

IndyD

 

lol, how sad would it be if this was the first car I had where the AC worked properly?!

I originally thought about this but ruled it out since the "smoke" is coming from the center two vents only. If it was AC condensation, wouldn't all four do it?

Thanks for the response though. It's something else on the list I need to put into the consideration list.

 

The center two is the only place I ever see it on mine. Those are right over the evap and the coldest area.

Where are you and what are the outside temps?

 

I'm in CT. The temps are around 70-80F. Next time it does it, I'll check the thermometer on the upper/headliner console thing.

 

This seems like what happened in mine when the heater core went out. I noticed that little puffs of steam and smoke were coming out combined with the smell of coolant which led me to that conclusion. And the steam/smoke just came out of the middle.

 

Hmmm. I just googled the heater core issue and this does not look like a DIYer project for me. Looks like I'd have to rip off the entire dash and steering wheel to get this done.

It would be a great chance to replace the broken vent though lol.

 

Indy, I see your heater core voodoo doll coming out....put it back....put it back...LOL!!!!

P.S: Deal, Indy D has a little DOC Voodoo doll, he doesnt mean harm, just sometimes he takes it out of his pocket or dresser to wash his clothes and forgets that it is out doing harm. We occasionally have to remind him to put it away. With Indy D dabbling in financial planning, the voodoo doll comes out when his brakes, heater/evap core and anti freeze stock start going down.

Deal: I hope it is not your heater core, but if it is, and Indy will chime in soon... Take the smart advice and remove/replace heater core and Evap core at the same time. Whichever the failed one is, the labor and time involved to take the dash out TWICE is not very productive. It is highly recommended and encouraged to replace both at the same time. The additional cost and labor now is saved by not having the dash pulled again, and FYI you are correct, if it is one of the cores, it is a dashboard pull. I believe IndyD had his dash R/R in about 8-10 hours, and that was his own mechanic and working straight through.
Any decent mechanic will probably recommend the same and this is probably a rare occasion where I agree with the mechanics theory of a little extra cash and time now will save later.

Check out Durango Owners Club, there are several members in the Northeast including at least a couple of members in CT, although I am not sure of what part, it might be worth getting to know them.

Based on the temps and the humidity in the NE lately I would be kind of more on the side of just water vapor, but dont rule out anything.

Check the a/c lines on the engine, do you notice water on the lines there?

Compressor: is it cycling correctly?

Does the smoke have any color or odor to it, does it look like vapor or smell like anti freeze?

These are some of the basic steps, also check the carpet it is damp, wet etc... most likely under the passengers side will be the signs.