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Hi! Joining because I need to ask questions that people who own this car can answer better than anyone else. Had my car since it's 'birth' - 2007. It doesn't get driven much as I only work from home, so it pretty much only gets used for errand running. In fact, at it's ripe old age I have less than 20K miles on it. Not sure what else to say. Do I ask my question here, or wait until I am approved to post a new thread to the general discussion section?
I did look and didn't find exactly what I was looking for. I know I have had a mouse in my engine BUT I believe it is traveling between the engine and my trunk without going through the cabin. There is nothing disrupted at all in the cabin, but it is eating the carpeting in my trunk. Just trying to figure out how that is possible - as in what means can it go from the engine to the trunk without traversing the cabin. Thanks.
So, not really directly from the engine to the trunk? What am I looking for in terms of rear fender vent access into the trunk? I know it is going in between the engine and the trunk, as I have a new rattle when I run the A/C, since I found the activity in the trunk.
My car is always parked in the garage, and I actually completely vacuumed/cleaned the trunk, then placed traps in my garage close by my car. Rather than get food from the traps, it wants to go into the trunk instead?
Have you checked your cabin air filter?
If you've ever parked your car with the outside air mode on, it opens a door to the duct leading to the filter.
Vermin have been known to nest on top of them, and maybe that leads to other access points.
I haven't specifically taken the cabin air filter out to look at it, yet. I know I need to, but still trying to figure out how it is traveling between engine and trunk without going through the cabin.
I leave the outside air mode on all the time, even when running A/C - so it would be open when the car is parked. But, I thought were numerous other ways a mouse could get into the engine anyway. Again, still trying to figure out the pathway from engine to trunk that would bypass the cabin. I don't think this critter is exiting the engine and then traveling on the ground to access the trunk from - what one person above mentioned - rear fender area vent, and then back and forth over and over again.
Put a trap in my trunk last night, since the previous day/overnight it chewed up some more carpeting - the trap was untouched when I checked this morning.
I haven't specifically taken the cabin air filter out to look at it, yet. I know I need to, but still trying to figure out how it is traveling between engine and trunk without going through the cabin.
I leave the outside air mode on all the time, even when running A/C - so it would be open when the car is parked. But, I thought were numerous other ways a mouse could get into the engine anyway. Again, still trying to figure out the pathway from engine to trunk that would bypass the cabin. I don't think this critter is exiting the engine and then traveling on the ground to access the trunk from - what one person above mentioned - rear fender area vent, and then back and forth over and over again.
Put a trap in my trunk last night, since the previous day/overnight it chewed up some more carpeting - the trap was untouched when I checked this morning.
What I'm saying. is the mouse can get into the cabin from the engine bay, (outside of the cabin), by going through the outside air
open door INTO the cabin by way of the cabin filter, which is on top of your glove box, and from there may find a way into the trunk.
If you leave the AC control on the recirculating cabin air mode, the door to the engine bay closes and mice CAN'T get in.
Check your cabin air filter, I'd almost wager money you have a mouse nest on it. If you haven't changed the cabin air filter in a while, do it. Buy a new cabin air filter, and line your floorboard with newspaper or rags.
Be sure to wear gloves and a dust mask.
Breathing dried up vermin dust can make you sick.
You should always close the door to the engine bay when you park it by setting it to the 'recirculate' or 'cabin air' mode.
Otherwise you're just inviting mice into your cabin.
Yeah, I read that thread before asking my question here. I can check all parts of the engine. But, I give - WHERE IS THE CABIN AIR FILTER?? My manual doesn't show me its location - in fact, the manual suggests I might not even have one. Maintenance schedule states under A/C System - "Cabin Air Filter (if installed)".
It is likely doing it in 2 access areas. If you had a mouse in the interior you would see something... either chews or droppings. They can get from the outside cowl area to the cabin air filter behind the glove box... and into the interior but they would have to chew through the filter. Usually they build a nest on top of the filter.
There is no easy way from the cabin to the trunk that wouldn't require chewing through in the back seat area... it is much more likely to be going through the trunk vent as it is often open in some respect
If you leave the AC control on the recirculating cabin air mode, the door to the engine bay closes and mice CAN'T get in.
Check your cabin air filter, I'd almost wager money you have a mouse nest on it. If you haven't changed the cabin air filter in a while, do it. Buy a new cabin air filter, and line your floorboard with newspaper or rags. Be sure to wear gloves and a dust mask. You should always close the door to the engine bay when you park it by setting it to the 'recirculate' or 'cabin air' mode. Otherwise you're just inviting mice into your cabin.
Air cabin filter replaced, car will now be parked with 'recirculate' on. But, the blower housing - is that something different than where the filters fit into? There was some 'stuff' on the filters, but not nearly as much 'junk' as the prior pics showed. Looking inside that area, everything else looked OK. Did I miss something? The blower fan is running without any noise - no crackling or clicking, etc.
They likely haven't been in there by the looks of it... if you take the interior carpet bits out of the trunk you can see the vents... Likely be able to tell if they are getting in there
They likely haven't been in there by the looks of it... if you take the interior carpet bits out of the trunk you can see the vents... Likely be able to tell if they are getting in there
Oh, no, something was in there. Saw droppings in the filter and bits and pieces of plastic bags that have been recently chewed up from stuff stored in my garage. The trunk carpet it chewed through was not in the filter. Seems it left that stuff in the trunk after chewing on it.
I will pull up the carpet in the trunk next. Not sure what I am looking for, but...
Undo the plastic clips and the screws holding down the rear piece... take out the side bits. Down in the wells behind the rear wheels there are 2 vents that are black plastic about 3x5". They have 2 flapper doors on them. Check there
Air cabin filter replaced, car will now be parked with 'recirculate' on. But, the blower housing - is that something different than where the filters fit into? There was some 'stuff' on the filters, but not nearly as much 'junk' as the prior pics showed. Looking inside that area, everything else looked OK. Did I miss something? The blower fan is running without any noise - no crackling or clicking, etc.
I think it's directly over the opening for the filters.
The OP of the first linked post said he stuck his hand up there and pulled the big mess out.
I never tried, my filters have been pretty clean.
Idk if you need small hands.
Also, the last post in that thread mentioned a hole in the firewall.
Idk if it could be related to the mouse's travels.
I would usually try to see for myself but I'm recuperating from 2 new knee replacements.
If you do figure it out, please post your fix
I'm going to sub this for my own curiosity.
GOOD LUCK!
Sorry about your knee replacements. Speedy recovery! My bro had that done, as well as my mom - both did well. Wish you do too!
No 'gunk' was seen above the air filter at all when looking inside the housing, but we did not stick a hand up there. Because there wasn't a whole lot of stuff in/on the filter itself, we let that one go. Since the blower appears to be running without any rattling/crackling, I am going to assume (yeah, we all know what that means) that no more stuff is in the housing.
Undo the plastic clips and the screws holding down the rear piece... take out the side bits. Down in the wells behind the rear wheels there are 2 vents that are black plastic about 3x5". They have 2 flapper doors on them. Check there
There are screws tabs on the 'back wall' (hold the pathetic grocery bag in place) of the trunk. The other 'tabs' that I see which are on the side walls over the tire wells - do they pop out, and can they be put back in without being replaced? Tried prying one with a flat head screw driver, but stopped when it didn't come out easily.
There are screws tabs on the 'back wall' (hold the pathetic grocery bag in place) of the trunk. The other 'tabs' that I see which are on the side walls over the tire wells - do they pop out, and can they be put back in without being replaced? Tried prying one with a flat head screw driver, but stopped when it didn't come out easily.
Sometimes, but if they break it's no biggie.
Most auto parts stores have the little "Help" parts section where you can usually find them.
07-16-2021, 02:31 PM
