On our '97 4Runner, we've noticed a black residue all over everything lately. You wipe the dash off, and it's just black. It's not brown, it's black. For the most part, the windows are up as the wife drives it and doesn't care for the windows down. My neighbor had mentioned something of a possible antifreeze leak similar to something he experienced years ago in his Buick. Anyone ever had this issue before, and could there possibly be some leak somewhere that is blowing crap through the vents into the vehicle?

 

Has she been using the heat lately?

Rob

 

Nope.

 

I have that too but it is because of where I work. There is a coal burning plant near where I work, go by it everyday. It gets on the inside as well as outside. Does the outside of the vehicle black dust on it too?

 

That doesn't help much. They're building around us, but usually it's your typical brown dirt. I've never seen it get black before.

 

mold?

 

could be the foam gaskets in the duct degrading and turning to dust is it dust or residue ?if it is residue your ac coil might have a leak and is leaking compressor oil out have you noticed a rise in temp. also check the inside coil drain and that it is draining out.

 

You could have had a small electrical fire and not know it. Does everything work? What I would do to be safe then sorry is disconnect the battery and tow it to a mechanic just in case it was an electrical fire.

James

 

Do you ever park your vehicle near bon-fires? Is someone in your area burning any type of plastic? Tires are the worst! Black residue will cover everything even your interior if your windows are down if someone near you is burning tires. Just a thought.