Anyone else have this problem? I have a new 2001 F-150 SCab w/14K miles and live in South Texas. Ever since the temps reached 95 to 100, the A/C started blowing small white flakes from the vents...it only seems to happens after the truck has been parked in the hot sun. Its like something in the dash has baked and begun to flake off. The flakes are all over the inside of the cab and have to be vacumed up, so I know its not some type of condensation for the cold air. I own SCrew, but it does not have this problem. Any replies are appreciated.
Darryl

 

What position are you running your a/c? Max or A/C? I'm guessing it's sucking in something from inside your cowl vent area.

Sometimes, if I run my a/c on the A/C position, it sucks in sand that gets blown into the cowl and it feels like I'm getting sand blasted. As soon as I turn the **** to MAX, it shuts off the vent and no more sandblast until the next time.

 

I always use Max. I could not imagine what would have been sucked in that would make these kind of flakes.
Darryl

 

Well, all I can think of is that it's Fairy Dust.

 

Let's see, you're in Texas. Usually, when its real cold and little white flakes are involved, we call that snow. I doubt that is your problem. Probably is just the cold air condensating with the hot air in the cab.

 

God i thought I was crazy. I have a 2001 Supercrew with 11,500 miles and it started doing the same thing! I live in Florida so it is probably same conditions. I took it to the dealer today and I'll post their verdict.

Al

 

I just spoke to the dealer about the flakes. They called ford who indicted it was a type of flux from assembly of the evaporator core. They were told how to clean it and I have not yet seen the results. I was told it was much better.

 

did anyone have any luck getting the white powder to stop and if so did the dealer pay for it or did ford? and how did they clean it?

 

I was reading this thread and thought I would throw my $.02 worth in. I just picked up my 2001 SCrew 2 weeks ago and I noticed today that I got a few flakes out when I turned on the A/C. It was extremely brief, but noticeable. I suspect it will get worse with time, but I would think eventually you would get it all out.


Just a brief introduction - as the name might suggest I am a big Olds 442 fan, haven't come up with a clever F150 name for myself. For modern vehicles I am Ford man all the way. My 2001 Screw replaced a '00 Mustang. From one extreme to the other, but I decided it was time I quit kidding myself, I am just too big for the 'Stang. It was a fun car but I got tired of climbing in and out of it, and it was cramped. I decided I wanted something with lots of room, more secure, and better visibility. I couldn't see around a milk crate in the Mustang. I was a little apprehensive about getting a vehicle with horrid gas milage - averaged about 21MPG in my 4.6L GT, but I like the Screw so much better in so many ways compared to the Mustang, it is more than a fair trade. I discovered this site a few days after getting my truck, while doing research (reviews and such) about the SuperCrew. This is a great site, lots of information and good folks. I look forward to a great future on this site.

On a side note, I am REALLY into 442's, GM A bodys in general, and am a network engineer. Anyone on the site who needs any help or info on these subjects, just give me a shout!.

Stephen

 

Well, I thought I was a little crazy myself...when they first started blowing out....and it took some guts to make that first post...simply because I knew I was going to get some "blunt" replies...such as Fairy Dust....

Anyway...Did the dealer get it cleaned off? and did it fix the problem?

Thanks, Darryl

 

Awww, and here I thought I was being helpful with my "Fairy Dust" post...

 

my dealer told me today that they had a fix from ford. they pull the blower from the heater and blow high pressure air on the evaporator coil to blow off the flux that is flaking. hope it works will find out next month

 

I spent last week hunting sharptail in the NoDak badlands and I cranked the fan switch to high to see if there was any dust in the duct (because there was dust everywhere else). Instead of dust, little white flakes blew all over the cab. I suppose I'll mention this to the dealer when I ask about my radiator.

BTW, I've only had this truck for 2 months and 6,000 miles. So far no major problems, my buddies Avalanch uses a quart of oil every 400 miles.

 

I have seen this problem several times at our dealership mostly on supercrews. the only permanent fix I have found is to replace the evaporator core itself. When you take out the old core you can see the white particles all over the surface. It looks like the core is starting to oxidize. replace the core and clean the vents and the problem is solved. it is covered by waranty.

 

I have the same problem with my 2001 F150 4x4. I live in Seattle, so I don't use the AC all that much, but I keep the vent on low all the time. During the summer months, I had to open the windows and keep the driver's door open when I started the truck so I could blow the flakes out of the vents. Now that the colder weather has arrived, I still have some flakes appear.

I had to stop by my dealer last week when the exaust pipe came loose. I mentioned the dust flakes and the service rep said that "something was probably loose" causing this stuff to enter the ducts. He said he would fix it. Well, he did fix the exhust pipe (warranty repair), but the flakes remain.

The service rep also said that a cabin filter would help. Since I was going to install a kit anyway, I went ahead and ordered it. When I go to pick up the filter kit, I'll be sure to let the rep know what is actually causing the flakes and that it is another warranty repair (thanks fordtech40).

It's been a hastle with all the flakes. I thought I would have to buy my truck some industrial strength Head & Shoulders....

Kevin