Odorless, oily substance from air vents

[xvanity]

My Prado 150 series has this issue where very tiny amounts of odorless, clear and oily substance comes from the air vents. It slowly covers up everything, especially the trim piece above the pedals.
Recently I've changed the factory radio with an aftermarket one and I found a lot of the same thing, which probably accumulated there for a long period of time. It affects all the vents and it seems it's AC related.
The AC works great and cools very well.

Has anyone ever experienced or heard of this? What could be the issue?

Thanks.

 

[xvanity]

I've had the car for 3 months now and it still blows nice and cold.

 

[xvanity]

Have you pulled out the cabin filter at the back of the glove box? You might want to see if you notice residue in that area as well.

I changed all the filters and all the fluids when I got the car. The cabin filter was dirty but not oily or wet. I haven't checked the new one, but I would assume it is ok.

 

[xvanity]

Was it there before you changed the filter though? It may have started leaking after that was done. Seeing any oil leaking around the brake pedal? I once had a seal in the master cylinder in an old Ford Explorer that started to leak in that area. Not sure if the Toyo design is the same.

I'm pretty sure the leak was there before, as the radio was changed soon after I got the car, and the deposits seem to be old. I have not seen any leaking on the carpet anywhere, it doesn't seem to "flow" down easily. It just collects dust and stays in place. It is very oily to the touch, though.

 

[morganism]

Maybe its antifreeze from a leaking heat exchanger ?

 

[xvanity]

Maybe its antifreeze from a leaking heat exchanger ?

That sounds serious. How can I quickly check to rule that out? Should I taste it? I know antifreeze is sweet.

 

[xvanity]

That's always a option... I've never used any colorless coolant but know it is out there. Not sure if it is odorless though.

Mine isn't colorless, it's red.

 

[xvanity]

That sounds like the pink Toyota coolant. No.... don't taste.

Is your coolant recovery bottle in the engine bay empty?

I’ll check in the morning again, but I can’t say I’ve noticed any coolant missing since I got the car.

 

[xvanity]

That sounds like the pink Toyota coolant. No.... don't taste.

Is your coolant recovery bottle in the engine bay empty?

OK, I just checked it and it looks fine, filled all the way to full. Should I mention that the cabin filter is dry and clean, with no oily deposits on it.

 

[ChiTown]

If you just purchased it, it may be detailing armor all or something similar. Another option is sometimes when they recon a car for the lot they will load the vent system up with deodorizer.

Check the evap drain also to make sure it's not clogged, if it's restricted water can blow out the floor vents.