White plastic Dust deposits?

[Bev788]

This is my first post so please be kind. Weve just bought a 2008 Autotrail Cheyenne 840SE and have noticed white dust with a plastic consistency coming out of air vents on the passenger side of the van. I googled it and on an American RV site they talked about infestations of mealworm or ants
Anyone else had this problem and if so, how did you sort it?
Seller doesn't want to know!

 

[Figaro]

Seems unlikely, how much of it is there and does it reappear if cleaned up ?
If it's ducted blown air heating, are the ducts accessible, might be worth dismantling a joint and check if there's anything to see.
I'm assuming these are the habitation vents, not the cab vents ?
Have you got a magnifying glass, maybe you could collect some and see if it looks organic material or is indeed plastic, it should be possible to tell although a microscope with higher magnification would be better.
Mice might be a more likely explanation ?

 

[Tombola]

I have one of these works well for searching cavities etc..ooo err missus
Amazon product ASIN B07S69748H

 

[peterc10]

What air vents are you referring to? The ones in the dashboard or the heating vents in the habitation area?

 

[Bev788]

Thanks for the replies. I cant hear any scratching or see deposits so don't think mice. It comes back after I've cleaned it away. The RV post said mealworm can eat it or antz make nests out of it but haven't seen any of the critters. Endoscope seems a good idea. It had only done 14,000 miles so think it's probably been in storage a while. I've attached photos so you can see what I mean.

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[Bev788]

What air vents are you referring to? The ones in the dashboard or the heating vents in the habitation area?

The habitation vents.

 

[bridgedino]

The vents heating duct hose shouldn't be showing any signs of degrading however its worth a proper inspection to trace it. May be that prev owner has made some adjustments or alterations. Every chance its something nice and simple to repair

 

[rb62]

Looks like debris left when there's been some work done.

 

[peterc10]

Could be an old wasp's or bee's nest. Do the bits crumble easily when you squeeze them?

 

[Bev788]

It feels like plastic granules. I was wondering if it could be insects chewing the insulation?

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[peterc10]

It feels like plastic granules. I was wondering if it could be insects chewing the insulation?

Mice I guess, but hope not as they can do a lot of mess to the wiring loom. Put down some mouse traps and see what happens

 

[Speve]

I reckon it just debris from previous drilling etc as rb62 said it will keep doing that for sometime unless you can take a panel out and vacuum it out

 

[2 Jabs]

I think it looks like mice have been having a nibble, open it up and take a look.

 

[rb62]

The back edge of the quadrant looks as if it's been left rough,something I wouldn't expect even from AT,looks like it's been stuck down with white sealant as well?

 

[Speve]

Bev788 In your second photo at the top it looks like something has worn a piece of board down to the polystyrene filling or is that just a white smudge as photo not very clear?

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[Diabalo]

As said above you need to check the ducting, you could also check the back of the heater where the air is being drawn in from, but I doubt that is where it's coming from as I would have thought the debris would be coming out of all the vents.

Does it only appear overnight or just when the air blower is on?

 

[Shrimp]

Looks to me like debris from making/drilling/sanding etc.

 

[DumfriesDik]

Hello and welcome

 

[Bev788]

Bev788 In your second photo at the top it looks like something has worn a piece of board down to the polystyrene filling or is that just a white smudge as photo not very clear?

It was white dust like particles. They've not come back recently since were using the van more. I'm thinking it was debris from bodge up work there is quite a bit of sealant around.

 

[Bev788]

The back edge of the quadrant looks as if it's been left rough,something I wouldn't expect even from AT,looks like it's been stuck down with white sealant as well?

Yes there is quite a bit of remedial work but it is a 2008 so probably not that unusual

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[Figaro]

All good then, just keep an eye out for Micky and his mates, just to be on the safe side

 

[Bev788]

As said above you need to check the ducting, you could also check the back of the heater where the air is being drawn in from, but I doubt that is where it's coming from as I would have thought the debris would be coming out of all the vents.

Does it only appear overnight or just when the air blower is on?

Its probably when the van moves as there isn't an air vent where most was coming from in the bathroom. I'm thinking it's debris from remedial work. Phew!

 

[Bev788]

All good then, just keep an eye out for Micky and his mates, just to be on the safe side

Haha will do