348 - HVAC Black sponge foam coming out of the vents | FerrariChat
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348 HVAC Black sponge foam coming out of the vents

Discussion in '348/355' started by Frode, Feb 15, 2022.

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  1. Frode

    Frode Rookie

    Sep 11, 2009
    26
    Seattle, WA
    Full Name:
    Frode
    #1 Frode, Feb 15, 2022
    I have a 1995 348 Spider, and recently black sponge foam pieces are coming out of the vents when running the HVAC. Does anyone know where it may be coming from? Is there a cabin air filter which may be disintegrating?

    I noticed the same issue was posted as a comment to another thread
     
  2. MAD828

    MAD828 F1 Rookie

    Oct 8, 2011
    2,631
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Elliott Caras
    #2 MAD828, Feb 15, 2022
    The vents have foam to help seal the air channel, over time the foam breaks down and blows out the vents.
     
    285ferrari likes this.
  3. JM280z

    JM280z Formula Junior

    Aug 22, 2020
    878
    Full Name:
    Jake
    #3 JM280z, Feb 15, 2022
    The inside of the vents have that foam stuff and it degrades. I use a vacuum to suck it out instead of allowing it to blow into the cabin.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  4. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,958
    MD and NE
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    Robbie
    #4 285ferrari, Feb 15, 2022
    355 vents do the same thing
     
  5. tomconte

    tomconte Formula Junior

    May 15, 2010
    385
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Tom Conte
    #5 tomconte, Feb 18, 2022
    360 vents do it too.
     
  6. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,846
    North Wiltshire, UK
    #6 A348W, Feb 19, 2022
    As above; and 348s do not have cabin air filters.
     
  7. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Sponsor Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,728
    Central NJ
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    Eric
    #7 Ferrarium, Feb 19, 2022
  8. Brambleworth

    Brambleworth Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 4, 2011
    388
    NY
    Full Name:
    Ted
    #8 Brambleworth, Feb 19, 2022
    The foam coming off the vent drum that directs air will eventually jam when a big piece let’s go. I recently pulled my evaporator/ heater core box to fix this problem. It is removed through the trunk, once you release the AC lines and hot water hoses and a series of screws and connectors. While you are in there you can:
    Clean up accumulated dirt
    Replace the air temp sensor
    Replace the drum motor
    Remove all the foam from the drum
    Remove the screen from the evaporator
    Install new brushes in the motor
    Replace the usually broken fresh air flap coupling
    Install new foam strip between box and firewall
    Reseal box

    I chose to install my drum without replacing the sticky backed foam so I won’t have this problem ever again. In my case the jammed drum wiped out the gear on the drum motor. The air direction system loses a bit of directional efficiency but I thought it was a good trade off for never having to pull the whole evaporator box again. There was also the remnants of a plastic screen over the back of the evaporator core, it had totally disintegrated which probably contributed to the jammed drum. The screen is NLA so I went without it. I was able to get a replacement gear for the drive motor and a used temp sensor on eBay.

    The repair thread on fchat and much help from fchatters along the way made this a very do it yourself job for me. Thanks to everyone!
     
    MAD828 and Qavion like this.
  9. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 20, 2015
    14,287
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Ian Riddell
    #9 Qavion, Feb 19, 2022
    Is that in the blower fan motor or the "timing actuator" (air direction actuator), John? If the blower fan motor, was it easy to access with the evaporator/heater core removed?
     

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