Air conditioning - blowing black mesh

[MikeCorbitt]

My "new to me" 1990 Westy has factory a/c that blows cold air, but along with the cold air it's blowing bits of black mesh. An I correct that this black mesh is from a filter that is disintegrating?

If this is a filter, can someone steer me to the location so I can replace this.

Also, does anyone know where I can find an illustration of the a/c system?

Many thanks for any assistance.

Mike

[dobryan]

That black stuff is a foam wrap that is on the rear evaporator and is not easily replaced. It is not a simple filter. I wish it was. To fully replace or remove it you need to drop the a/c overhead unit in the rear.

The Bentley manual has a good a/c schematic.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[MikeCorbitt]

Dave, thanks for the quick feedback. Go to know. I'll check out the Bentley manual.

Mike

[dobryan]

When the black stuff started disintegrating on my a/c years ago I put the fan speed on 4 for a long time trying to pull as much out as possible. It kinda helped since the usual fan speed use was 2 or 3.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[djkeev]

That black foam has been a conversation starter for quite awhile.
Why is it there?
Is it a filter?
Is it humidifier?
Is it to stop water particles from blowing out of the Evaporator?

Should I put new foam in?

On my 86 I left the foam out but built a real furnace filter on the air intake.
My 86 did spit some water though.
What will I do on my 90? Foam or no foam?

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[MikeCorbitt]

Sounds like cranking up the fan is the best approach for now. I've done it a time or to, but probably need to do it a few more.

[Love My Westy]

I just left it out after I replaced my speakers. I'm not sure what it's function was but the A/C works fine without it.

[jlrftype7]

As far as I know, it’s always been primarily used as a water wicking solution to allow the water droplets to drain off the evaporator and down into whatever pan the unit has.
Versus being swept up from the blower air flow and out of the unit.
The other benefit is with aluminum corroding of an evaporator made from that material , the mesh helps stop the crud on the outside of the Evap from getting into the vent system, often experienced as a white dust coming from vents on vehicles.
On low blower speeds you probably wouldn’t notice it missing, but at high airflow, it’s surprising what gets carried along in an automotive a/c system.

More than one car maker has had to address stuff flying out of the vents as the system ages, sometimes in only a few years after being made/manuf.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto