Air conditioner malfunction , smoke from vents

[efirestorer]

After driving 2 ks in todays heat , wife noticed smoke from vents , switched aircon off. When I looked under bonnet , smelt something had burned and saw unusual wetness on the black cylinderical device in the air con system just forward of the bulkhead - left hand side. What is this black device ? and any tips on a suitable aircon workshop in SE Melbourne area - Oakleigh - Moorabbin OR ? Car is AU 1999 and has done 150000 ks and has had gas replaced about 2 years ago.

[Ford Falcon XR6]

If it was with the air con on i doubt it would be smoke. It's likely that the evaporator is freezing up causing the air con to "snow" my car does the same thing if it has no odour it shouldn't be smoke. I'm pretty sure it is cause by the system having to much gas but i'll check at work tomorow and let you know.

[smally289]

The black device is the accumulator, and will be wet during A/C operation due to condensation. As above, it could be vapour and not smoke. Did it smell like smoke? Could be a build up of leaves in the evaporator which can get hot if they come into contact with the fan speed resistor coils.
Also, does the A/C still work?

[efirestorer]

Thanks for the replies.
I drove the car today , no dramas , all OK so it must have been the snow or leaves being burnt. As cold as usual.

[Whoosha]

Its condensation (fog haze) mine has done it since new and still does ,
does tend to get your attention when it first happens, seems to happen if your on recirculate and turn it off for a few minute and re start it

[FGII-XR6]

most common after we have had a fair bit of rain I find. the humidity is high and the moisture in the air turns to fog

[Mr Hardware]

I get mine fogging
not just a ford thing, my parents old widebody camry did it from new too

[GasoLane]

As Whoosha and au3xr6 said, it's moisture.

Ask anyone who lives, or drives, in the tropics.

[Storme93]

Mine commonly does this too haha, always wondered if it was normal and now I know

[XR6TCraig]

I've seen it a lot. That and my sungalsses always fogging up when I hop out of the air con and into the humid air. Constantly happening today actually.
I once saw it on a plane at brissy airport on a fairly humid morning. It was while loading was taking place so the doors were opened and as the air from outside mixed with the aircon air it looked like white smoke coming out of the vents all along the inside of the cabin wall.
Didn't that freak a few southerners out!

[SmickED93]

Yeah I had smoke coming from the vents of my AU falcon II today. The car has been sitting for about a week. Started up and smelt and saw smoke (not condensation) coming from the vents however there was a leaf flicking on the fan. How do I get to remove the leaf (normally just let it run for a while and it eventually works it's way loose I know). Took the glovebox off so I could access the fan, felt around but it's on the other side which I couldn't access. I have never had the problem before so I hope it's just a leaf burning!