vipergts

HI folks,

Excuse my lack of knowledge but can someone help me figure out why i am seeing a noticable amount of black spongy material coming out of the ac vents when the blower is on. The stuff disintegrates when i touch it. Is this from the filter (dont recall filter material looking like this) or potentially foam insulation in the airconditioning just disintegrating with age? I had the exact same issue with my old LS430, couldnt figure it out. The other day while i was driving on teh highways and turned on the air a chunk flew out and caught me in between the eyes, LOL....i thought is was an insect at first but later realised it the "spongy black" stuff. What is this and has anyone seen it before?

Thanks!
Viper

tfischer

Have you ever seen "The Blob"?
I would be afraid if I were you - very afraid.

mandyfig

Check out your cabin filter. See if you see it there.

scyul

Most probably the foam (sponge) gasket between the vent registers assembly and the ducts.

Annoying, but should not affect performance of the HVAC system.

I would worry....

dandrill

I just had the same thing this same black stuff. Is it foam from inside the HVAC or some sort of nasty dirt growth??

kjcole

Mine too. It is the foam gasket breaking down - not the cabin air filter.

Harold57

Confirmed, it is the gasketing material. Nothing to be alarmed about.