Pieces of decomposing foam constantly blowing out of AC vents

[bcolins]

My new to me 2003MV has a bizarre problem. I constantly have various size pieces of decomposing foam rubber blowing out of the defroster and air conditioning vents they end up all over the interior of the car. My left side drivers vent is now about halfway blocked with chunks of foam rubber from inside the vent ducting. I’m assuming this is a common problem is there a solution for this. I’m thinking of the in-house ductwork cleaning where they send a snake up that rattles around in your vents to clean out accumulated Whatever. Any suggestions?

[Zeitgeist 13]

Congratulations, you get to remove the dash. That's blend door foam that needs to be replaced. It's a good idea to replace the heater core and blower motor while you're in there. It's not a terribly difficult job.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[studioh]

[[email protected]]

It is not to bad, bag and lable all the bits..

I got most of my parts back together

Be real careful with that clock spring when you remove it.

Silver HVAC tape worked great for me for the vents
_________________
2001 eurovn weekender 207k fresh batteries

[MrPulldown]

I am having this happen too. Found out in the desert this last summer when it was 110 outside and a cool 90 inside with the AC on full blast. Turns out the air divider has holes that are covered with foam. The foam deteriorates and blows out the vents. This allows the hot and cold air to mix reducing the effectiveness of the AC system.

There is one account from CAVEVAN, of being able to remove the lower center console. Using cut squares of foil duct sealing tape and reaching your arm up and sealing the holes. I am going to try this route before I take my dash apart to the firewall.
_________________
2002 EVC

[Zeitgeist 13]

When I did mine, I first applied the foil tape, and then some foam. If the foam fails, then the tape should keep the air from mixing.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[sgirard]

Just chiming in to say I was able to solve this problem in my van by going in through the center console. 10 minutes to remove the screws. An hour or two to stare at the problem and figure out what/where the blower door is by feel. Ten minutes to apply foil tape and another ten to button it back up. If you don’t have fairly thin hands and arms it might require a helper. Worth a shot if you don’t otherwise need to pull the dash. Solved my problems for both defrost and AC.

[[email protected]]

sounds right..

If you dont have to replace your heater core it can be done...

Painful and neeeding skinny hands
_________________
2001 eurovn weekender 207k fresh batteries

[OB Bus]

I did the "cut the hole in the side of the air box" method on our 2002 EV-C. I was 66 at the time, not too limber and my hands will never be described as "thin". It got done. Check the Riata pages on FB for the write up.
_________________
Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.

[bcolins]

I sent an email out to Cavevan and they responded saying they always pull the dash off and replace the heater core at the same time. Appreciate the tip on the Riata Facebook group I’ll head over there and see if I can figure out where it might be

Brian in Austin

[bcolins]

[OB Bus]

Facebook page is Riata owners group of America.
Or search eurovan with blend doors with foam.
_________________
Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.

[Abscate]

[MrPulldown]

[MrPulldown]

[sgirard]

[SteveZ]

I did it! This past week I rewatched Thomas' videos, reread all the articles and forums, made notes on process and procedures, and then removed my dash.

I laid out all the parts and screws on two large tables in the relative positions they were in the van and labeled them. My wife documented the process with photos as I worked, taking close ups of what I was doing.

It really is a straight forward task. I worked slowly and deliberately; it took me an afternoon, then I had the blender box on the workbench. It will be easy to re-foam the flaps and other places where foam has perished with the blender box out, and the dash off I can replace lots of other bits of perished foam in the vents and along the dash-windshield edge.

I'll get the various bits of foam next week and start the next step, but I'm glad that, after years of procrastination and worry about this, I'm well under way with this project that is much easier and straightforward than I expected.

I'm glad I decided to go about solving the "foam" problem this way.

[Abscate]

What year was this T4 Steve?

Can you share the pictures in the gallery or add to this thread, please ?
_________________
.ssS!

[SteveZ]

[SteveZ]

Here are some photos of the re-foaming of the blender box. It went better than I expected. I'm pleased I decided to remove the dash for access. It wasn't as difficult a task as I anticipated and worried over.