2007 Toyota Tacoma smoke or dust coming out of air vent??

I've noticed that there was smoke or dust coming out of my air vent it looks like vapor or something. I have not noticed the temperature of it because it's always hot in the truck. As I drive faster I tend to notice it more often or I could just be over exaggerating.

2007 Toyota Tacoma
V6 6 Cylinder
4WD

 

It could be a mist from the heater core .

 

Is that bad?

 

If it's dust, have you checked your cabin air filter? Maybe it's missing.

 

Cabin air filter was replaced recently like 3 months ago

 

Any odd smells when it happened? Somtimes when the temperature and humidity are just right you can get some fog out of the vents.

 

Check the plug directly under the passenger side dash.
The one going to the blower motor, it will be obvious once you see it.
The connector is known to melt.

Also check the coolant level.
Make sure the engine is cool be fore checking it.

 

is the windshield hazy looking??

 

If temperature and humidity levels are just right water vapor coming out of the vents isn't uncommon.

 

You would definitely smell that (coolant)...it's very distinctive.

 

This^

 

It could be the evaporator freezing up. from a defective thermistor.

Are you running the AC System when this happens?

 

I have not noticed any smells that would throw me off when it happened. I live in Hawaii so it is quite humid over here and hot

 

Maybe my evaporator is freezing up if so i'm currently unaware of that problem.
Yes my A/C is on when it happens btw I figured I should mention that my a/c doesn't run good.
So I probably have to add more refrigerant or something

 

What @Jimmyh suggests is my bet too. Florida boy here.

You're running along, AC working ok, slowing the air flow drops and suddenly the 'fog' comes out of the vents. Then almost no airflow.

If you stop the truck a while, or turn off the AC for a good bit, you can repeat the cycle of events.

This is the evap icing over because the thermister has failed and is not cycling the compressor when the coil face drops to about 36-38*. It continues to run and creates an ice block.

 

Something I do to help with keeping the air ducts dry is to shut off the ac shortly before I get to where I’m going. I keep the fan blowing air and just push the ac button. I figured this would help do away with the rotten smell coming out of my first car way back when. I’ve continued this practice in every vehicle since then and now only get a hint of that smell if I forget to do it.

The fog issues, I agree with what others are saying. I’m sure the humidity there exaggerates it. A leaky heater core, you’ll smell coolant. I’ve also found it’ll put a oily film on your windows.

 

Thank you all very much for your comments, Merry Christmas

 

I wouldn't recommend just throwing in some refrigerant as a fix. Chances it will do more damage and if it is low now it will be low again due to the un-repaired leak.

Take it to an AC shop and have it repaired properly.