Mouse Nests in HVAC ducting
10-02-19, 02:41 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Mouse Nests in HVAC ducting
Hey, I recently bought a 88 'vert and it was sitting for a while. There is at least one visible mouse nest behind the center console vents. What would be the best way to remove/clean the nests and urine from the vents? If I need to remove the duct work where should I start?
10-04-19, 06:30 PM
#2
My '88 RX-7 na got invaded from the exterior this last winter, also. I found that they can access the driver's side cowl via an opening just below the windshield,...I don't believe that they can enter the car any other way. Sure can reside under the hood, though.
I'll use heavy stainless screening (from my auto refinishing supplies) to cover the cowl opening to keep them out.
Most of my invasion was limited to the cowl, thank goodness. After flushing the cowl vents, washing the frame rails under the hood, and washing above and behind the front mudflaps, the smell is diminished, but it will take awhile to be 'unnoticeable'.
I believe that access to the vents requires dash removal,...usually a manageable, but extensive, process.
I would really like to hear any answers to this question!
Todd.
I'll use heavy stainless screening (from my auto refinishing supplies) to cover the cowl opening to keep them out.
Most of my invasion was limited to the cowl, thank goodness. After flushing the cowl vents, washing the frame rails under the hood, and washing above and behind the front mudflaps, the smell is diminished, but it will take awhile to be 'unnoticeable'.
I believe that access to the vents requires dash removal,...usually a manageable, but extensive, process.
I would really like to hear any answers to this question!
Todd.
The following users liked this post:
Alkaline_Saint (10-17-19)
10-14-19, 10:41 PM
#5
If you're as lucky as I have been, you'll find that mice cannot access any of the system, beyond the cowl. They get in via an opening just below the vented cowl cover on the driver's side (I'll block that with stainless screen,...).
From there, they have access to the entire cowl, but the cowl's opening to the blower/fan is covered by a screen that mice cannot get through,...
It's very possible that your blower/fan pulled some of the nest material into the interior vents from the cowl, and mice may not have entered the interior vent system, Alkaline_Saint, since I do not see a way for mice to enter beyond the cowl. They sure managed to built a nest over the top of my blower/fan screen, however!
Removing the wipers and the screws that secure the vented cowl cover will allow the cover to be removed, gaining access to most of the cowl. There is also a plastic grate and a rubber plug in the top of the cowl that can easily be removed on the passenger's side for further access.
Long tools to remove the loose stuff, vacuumed, and pressure washed the entire cowl area. I placed waterproof covers and a towel on the pass. floor in case of splash, and it was a good thing!
What a PITA! But I think I've got it under control, now. More washing, top down airing out, perhaps some baking soda to remove any remaining odors.
90% improvement already! In an hour, or two,...
Best of luck with your's, and be sure to block the access opening on the driver's side, below the vented cowl cover! It's easy to spot,...
Thanks for everyone's input!
Todd.
P.S. Beware that mice might chew the low coolant sensor wire in two while partying on the passenger's frame rail,...! Single wire, unprotected,...FYI.
From there, they have access to the entire cowl, but the cowl's opening to the blower/fan is covered by a screen that mice cannot get through,...
It's very possible that your blower/fan pulled some of the nest material into the interior vents from the cowl, and mice may not have entered the interior vent system, Alkaline_Saint, since I do not see a way for mice to enter beyond the cowl. They sure managed to built a nest over the top of my blower/fan screen, however!
Removing the wipers and the screws that secure the vented cowl cover will allow the cover to be removed, gaining access to most of the cowl. There is also a plastic grate and a rubber plug in the top of the cowl that can easily be removed on the passenger's side for further access.
Long tools to remove the loose stuff, vacuumed, and pressure washed the entire cowl area. I placed waterproof covers and a towel on the pass. floor in case of splash, and it was a good thing!
What a PITA! But I think I've got it under control, now. More washing, top down airing out, perhaps some baking soda to remove any remaining odors.
90% improvement already! In an hour, or two,...
Best of luck with your's, and be sure to block the access opening on the driver's side, below the vented cowl cover! It's easy to spot,...
Thanks for everyone's input!
Todd.
P.S. Beware that mice might chew the low coolant sensor wire in two while partying on the passenger's frame rail,...! Single wire, unprotected,...FYI.
10-17-19, 07:48 AM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
If you're as lucky as I have been, you'll find that mice cannot access any of the system, beyond the cowl. They get in via an opening just below the vented cowl cover on the driver's side (I'll block that with stainless screen,...).
From there, they have access to the entire cowl, but the cowl's opening to the blower/fan is covered by a screen that mice cannot get through,...
It's very possible that your blower/fan pulled some of the nest material into the interior vents from the cowl, and mice may not have entered the interior vent system, Alkaline_Saint, since I do not see a way for mice to enter beyond the cowl. They sure managed to built a nest over the top of my blower/fan screen, however!
Removing the wipers and the screws that secure the vented cowl cover will allow the cover to be removed, gaining access to most of the cowl. There is also a plastic grate and a rubber plug in the top of the cowl that can easily be removed on the passenger's side for further access.
Long tools to remove the loose stuff, vacuumed, and pressure washed the entire cowl area. I placed waterproof covers and a towel on the pass. floor in case of splash, and it was a good thing!
What a PITA! But I think I've got it under control, now. More washing, top down airing out, perhaps some baking soda to remove any remaining odors.
90% improvement already! In an hour, or two,...
Best of luck with your's, and be sure to block the access opening on the driver's side, below the vented cowl cover! It's easy to spot,...
Thanks for everyone's input!
Todd.
P.S. Beware that mice might chew the low coolant sensor wire in two while partying on the passenger's frame rail,...! Single wire, unprotected,...FYI.
From there, they have access to the entire cowl, but the cowl's opening to the blower/fan is covered by a screen that mice cannot get through,...
It's very possible that your blower/fan pulled some of the nest material into the interior vents from the cowl, and mice may not have entered the interior vent system, Alkaline_Saint, since I do not see a way for mice to enter beyond the cowl. They sure managed to built a nest over the top of my blower/fan screen, however!
Removing the wipers and the screws that secure the vented cowl cover will allow the cover to be removed, gaining access to most of the cowl. There is also a plastic grate and a rubber plug in the top of the cowl that can easily be removed on the passenger's side for further access.
Long tools to remove the loose stuff, vacuumed, and pressure washed the entire cowl area. I placed waterproof covers and a towel on the pass. floor in case of splash, and it was a good thing!
What a PITA! But I think I've got it under control, now. More washing, top down airing out, perhaps some baking soda to remove any remaining odors.
90% improvement already! In an hour, or two,...
Best of luck with your's, and be sure to block the access opening on the driver's side, below the vented cowl cover! It's easy to spot,...
Thanks for everyone's input!
Todd.
P.S. Beware that mice might chew the low coolant sensor wire in two while partying on the passenger's frame rail,...! Single wire, unprotected,...FYI.
Anyway I’ll probably attempt removing the dash this weekend seeing as cold weather approaches. Wish me luck!
10-17-19, 08:42 PM
#7
Again, check to see if they were able to get beyond the cowl first. My cowl contained a single nest on top of the screen leading to the blower fan, and the mice were not able to penetrate beyond that.
I sheathed the repair I made to my low coolant sensor wire so that it will not get chewed again,...and a stainless screen now blocks the only cowl access.
Just turned over the BIG ONE after thirty one years,...43,019 original miles on the car right now!
Best of luck with your car!
I sheathed the repair I made to my low coolant sensor wire so that it will not get chewed again,...and a stainless screen now blocks the only cowl access.
Just turned over the BIG ONE after thirty one years,...43,019 original miles on the car right now!
Best of luck with your car!
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