Greetings, I am new to this ... I am driving a 2007 Camry V6 XLE (Batwoka.. successor of Bazooka my '98 Camry).
I have checked everything and cannot figure out the source of the smell, car is super clean with no leaks, and I feel like there is a hot dust (borderline hot oil) smell coming from the foot vents ONLY when I turn the heating on regardless of whether the system is on recirculate.
This problem has persisted from the time that I purchased the car about 3 years ago now at 220k kms.
My best guess at this point is that there is a serious accumulation of dust in the vents. I have changed the cabin filter... But want to know if anyone has any advice as to how to best clean the duct system.. or.. maybe the issue is not dust and something else? Everyone is telling me to sell or live with it but I cannot let my Batwoka go that easily.
Thank you in advance!!!
Stavros from Montreal

 

Try to find a service bulletin TSB-0261-09.

 

Hi again, thank you Toyomoyo for the reply, I am not 100% that I am following how that will help, but will take a look at the service bulletins.
I do however have an update.
It would seem like the smell is stronger from the driver's when the air is flowing from the "foot mode". I removed a lot of dust that was easily accessible around the driver's side area and also wiped down the visible coolant in and out pipes as best I could there was quite a bit of dust mostly around the vents which I also wiped down.
Unfortunately, the smell still persists and I saw no easily visible signs of oil or damage around the heater core area
My thoughts now are that there may be some smell coming from the lower area of the driver's side (only when the heating system is on) and that it is being pushed up by the air.
I am not sure what I should be doing next...
Thanks in advance.
Stavros

 

Where was the visible coolant?

Toyota had issues of climate system odor due to mold on the A/C evaporator.