Brown particles blowing out if my AC vents

I started me truck today and turned in the AC like any other day and what I though was dust started to blown out of the vents. I I thought I might have a dirty cabin filter, but then I noticed what looked like brown songy material blowing out of my vents on of the the top dash. Any idea what this is? I have since learned my 1st gen Tacoma doesn't have a cabin filter.

 

I had that happen a long time ago on another truck, turned out to be the foam seal/gasket used to connect the plastic ducting.

 

hello and welcome to TW!

my truck recently started throwing this from the vents for the very first time this past year (it drives me batkrapkrazy!)

they are something to do with the cushioning in between the plastic vent tubing back behind the dash, etc.
your truck is 7yrs newer than mine so its a mystery yours just started!

this issue is still under investigation (by me, maybe others) and what to do about it

have you noticed any weird rattles yet while driving, highway speed or otherwise?

 

hard to say but could maybe be deteriorating foam that's used to seal the air ducting tubes behind the dash.
Otherwise check the intake. It's that opening under the plastic on the cowl between the hood and windshield on the passenger side. That's where the air system draws in air

 

i shall need to check this area as well, my behind the dash is a tad different because of no passenger airbag

 

OP, something like this?
these pieces have infiltrated my entire dashboard, this particular piece was on the passenger floor under the dash one weekend while using the A/C

 

Where does the first gen get cabin air? If it's from under the cowling you might be able to install at least an oven range hood filter over it.

 

They used foam tape during factory assembly to seal the joints on the ductwork. After +/- 20 years, that foam deteriorates and delaminates from the adhesive tape, eventually getting pulled into the ductwork via vacuum and ultimately out of the dash vents onto your seats and center console.

Not only is this happening with my '00 SR5, but I had the very same thing happen with my old Thunderbird. I never had a solution for it (other than to pull the dash and take everything apart, which was not an option) but I had plans to snake a vacuum hose down into each duct to try and suck out as much of the loose foam as possible. I never got around to it, but may try it with the Taco!

 

Not sure where that's coming from, but 1st gen Tacomas do not have cabin air filters just FYI...if an oil change shop or someplace tries selling you one then they're ripping you off lol.

My guess would be something from outside got up into the duct where the cabin air comes from

 

yep, been going on for long time, it was in my 84 s-10, same song.

 

Its foam duct seal. Mine blows a chunk every now and then. Even if you could get a cabin filter in there, it wouldnt prevent this from coming out.

 

Thank you, everyone, for the quick responses. I will attach a picture of what I have. Additionally, I will check the intake and vacuum my truck out now. Haha.

 

My trucks been doing this for at least 10 years. It's what helps seal the ac tubing together. Hasn't cause much of a problem other than vacuuming the peices.

 

i am concerned that this event is starting to cause duct rattles? from the outside wind and having the A/C on
shall have to wait until winter time when the heater is on to see what aftermath effects this is going to cause

 

Wait till you get old like me and can't hear anymore, it won't bother you then,,,,,

huh? I can't hear you. That's me and my wife of 52 yrs. conversation 90% of the time,, kinda a blessing to tell the truth.

 

I think it's more a little air might leak out rather than rattles. The plastic ac tubing is actually pushed together pretty tight.

 

Deteriated foam on the vent doors at the outlets. Know this for a fact because I had a large 1 inch piece come out and saw where it came from. Drivers side vent.

 

i am cursed with ears like a wolf

thanks, just trying my best to self-diagnose this latest gremlin before the $100+ mechanic ride-a-long (don't wanna do it and don't think it's right)

 

You got your answer but I'll add to reinforce, it's the foam seal that deteriorates over time. It happened in my 04 last year. I just let it happen and clean it up periodically, not worth ripping everything apart.

 

will it be worth ripping apart if this is the root cause of my gremlin rattle(s)?
the quoted price for this job to me is over $400 + the rattle kit parts (box of foam pieces)
may have to rip into parts for the blower motor and assembly
dammit