AC/ Air vent emitting pieces of sponge

[desmondfox]

One or two small piece(s) of brown colored sponge collect once in a few days on the inside of the AC vent(s) (esp. when I turn up the air real high) inside the car.

Is that the AC filter disintegrating or something else?

Thanks,

DFox

[lgrouper03]

Just behind the vents, the ductwork joins in with the vents. These joints are "sealed" with a sponge type material. When the sponge material gets old and begins to dry out, some of it may separate and get blown out of the vents. My 95 Camry has done this some in the past. In may case, the problem was likely due in part to me taking the dash apart a couple of times for various reasons. Dis-assembling and re-assembling these joints may aggravate the problem. I wouldn't be concerned with it unless you notice a decrease in air coming out of the vents. The joints, in my perspective, are designed well and shouldn't leak much even if the sponge material comes out. If it really bothers you, you could have the sponge material replaced, but some disassembly of the dashboard is required to do this.

[300+]

I agree. I would be suprised if someone with an older car had not seen this.

[desmondfox]

Thanks lgrouper03.
Can't the joints be accessed from the hood / from below the car?

[lgrouper03]

Sorry so slow in answering.

Unfortunately, no. The ductwork runs from the blower motor to the vents (where the air comes out). So, the blower/ductwork system is fully contained inside the car. It can't be accessed from under the hood or under the car. If I find a link showing how to take apart the dash, I'll post it. It's not too bad if you have some mechanical aptitude and are willing to spend some time trying to figure it out. If I remember correctly, the lower panels underneath the steering wheel must come off first. There are some little filler pieces that must be pried out with a screwdriver to expose the hidden 10mm screws.

[Brian R.]

What year/model Camry are we talking about?

[desmondfox]

1998 Camry LE

Thanks.

[Bmaintz]

I would also take a look at the "Outside/Inside" door flap which has this foam.... My '95 Camry did the same thing & I noticed that I was smelling traffic fumes more than before with the door on the Inside circulation.... If you go to all the trouble of taking the dash apart I would check this door also... Bob

[lgrouper03]

I just use my pocket kife to get the pieces out of the vents. Then I don't worry about it and just go on with life. Personally I wouldn't recommend taking the dash apart to fix it, unless you are noticing a decrease in air delivery. The joints fit together pretty tightly, so I don't think this would ever become a problem. I had another piece of foam appear in mine the other day, but the AC still works great (the Camry AC has to be the coldest I've ever experienced). So I'm not going to mess with it. So far, I can't find a link that shows how to take the dash apart.

[desmondfox]

oh yes... Camry AC is just outta this planet!
but the problem of foam pieces was also accompanied by some odd smell frm the vent when I keep it in the fan mode with the AC off.
As soon as the AC goes on, smell almost disappears.
Just don't understand if these are related events?!

...DFox.

[Bossman]

Fox,
My 92 Camry did this same thing; that is it projected small pieces of foam to the A/C vents and I merely used a pair of needle-nosed pliers to remove them. I have to say that I'm quite surprised that a 98 Camry would do this so soon. Mine just started to do this right before I sold it a couple of months ago. You're right though; the A/C is like ice!

[desmondfox]

Well, it's like one small piece a week. I wasn't too worried about the foam, just concerned about the odor emanating from the vents when the fan is on but the AC off. Just wanted to make sure this foam wasn't some kinda air filter.

Thanks.

[lgrouper03]

Not sure what could be causing the odor. Seems like mine occasionally develops an odor when the weather is cool and damp.

[desmondfox]

Regarding the odor from the Air Vents... should I get the Air system checked, the inlet, the air filter, etc.? At what intervals should the Air filter(s) be replaced/cleaned?
Is it an easy do-it-yourself job?
Thanks.