Lots of smoke from AC - Heater matrix fault?

[Blake245]

The past few weeks I’ve noticed a large amount of smoke coming from both the front and rear vents mostly when the AC is used, with condensation on the windows.

After doing some reading it sounds like a possible heater matrix fail? I have found numerous threads for previous years, but none for my 2009 model.

Anyone have a guide on replacing the heater matrix, or any other ideas what it may be?

Thanks

[Oak]

When you say smoke, could this be mist?

It could be the aircon drain blocked. This is often in the passenger footwell and runs out underneath the car. If you run the aircon on LOW on a hot day for a while you should see the aircon have a wee under the car. If this drain is blocked this excess water can be seem coming back through the vents as mist.

[Blake245]

Originally Posted by Oak

When you say smoke, could this be mist?

It could be the aircon drain blocked. This is often in the passenger footwell and runs out underneath the car. If you run the aircon on LOW on a hot day for a while you should see the aircon have a wee under the car. If this drain is blocked this excess water can be seem coming back through the vents as mist.

Thanks for the reply, it is mist and seems to be more excessive at times so would make sense. Will have a look tomorrow and try the above, is it easiest accessing to clean/check from inside or underneath? If inside is this located by the cabin filter, so remove the same panels?

[37 RUBY]

Hello

The drain is actually on the drivers side.

Centre console side panel needs popping off and carpet bending back to access.

It's a black rubber right angle pipe. With a bit of dexterity you can disconnect it and blow it through with an airline or similar.

Tiny bit fiddly but not too bad.

HTH

[Blake245]

Thank you all for the advice. Located the drain and upon removing the top hose loads of water poured out, pointing to the block at the bottom part of the hose. Flushed through and then blasted with an air gun, after running up was all good no mist anywhere. Run a quick can of air con cleaner too for good measure. Checked underneath and water draining once turned off (which it didn’t before!)

[tommyweaves]

Originally Posted by 37 RUBY

Hello

The drain is actually on the drivers side.

Centre console side panel needs popping off and carpet bending back to access.

It's a black rubber right angle pipe. With a bit of dexterity you can disconnect it and blow it through with an airline or similar.

Tiny bit fiddly but not too bad.

HTH

How does that pipe manage to get blocked just with condensate?

[Blake245]

Originally Posted by tommyweaves

How does that pipe manage to get blocked just with condensate?

On my one it had a lot of debris within the pipe (bits of leaf etc) by the looks of it. I also repositioned the pipe so it was straight without and bends or kinks