Something died...
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 934
Likes: 67
Something died...
So, a couple of weeks ago I noticed some mouse droppings on my dashboard (not terribly shocking, I live in the woods) and made a mental note to get some mousetraps in there. Unfortunately my mental note reminder system is becoming less reliable the older I get, and the plan never made it past the drawing board. Now I have a distinct dead critter smell that is notably worse when the vent blower is on.
Anybody have any suggestions on where to start? I have never worked on anything vent related and have no clue what, where, or otherwise...
Anybody have any suggestions on where to start? I have never worked on anything vent related and have no clue what, where, or otherwise...
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,795
Likes: 1,326
From: Elk Grove, CA
Start with the engine air filter, natural habitat for critters. A chewed up hole in the air filter is a bigger problem.
Next look into the HVAC air intake. I'd expect the critter expired near the heater core. Below is a video showing how to get in there.
Next look into the HVAC air intake. I'd expect the critter expired near the heater core. Below is a video showing how to get in there.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
Start with the engine air filter, natural habitat for critters. A chewed up hole in the air filter is a bigger problem.
Next look into the HVAC air intake. I'd expect the critter expired near the heater core. Below is a video showing how to get in there.
You Tube
Next look into the HVAC air intake. I'd expect the critter expired near the heater core. Below is a video showing how to get in there.
You Tube
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 934
Likes: 67
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 934
Likes: 67
Ok. I checked the air filter and it had some critter debris (acorn shells and such) under it but was not damaged at all.
I was able to move the heater core a bit without disconnecting it and there is nothing in there behind it.
I still am still not sure where it gets the air, but I suspect I am going to have to tear out the dash. Unless anyone else has a suggestion.
I was able to move the heater core a bit without disconnecting it and there is nothing in there behind it.
I still am still not sure where it gets the air, but I suspect I am going to have to tear out the dash. Unless anyone else has a suggestion.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,344
Likes: 5,941
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Mark, I agree 100%. That is why I always try to keep my videos on track with subtle transitions in the way of video and audio.
Speaking of videos, check this one out RJ.
If I were you, I would pull the blower motor out and look in to the dash vents from there.
If nothing is found, pull the dash bezel and look into the vents from there.
If nothing is found, check in the evaporator coil housing.
If nothing is found, grab an endoscope and start looking via the camera.
Just some ideas...
As for prevention, I have tried everything to keep them away including peppermint, moth *****, etc...
I don't use poison of any sort because we have a pond on the property, dogs, cats and wildlife. I have found a good method over the years and that is to put two spring traps with peanut butter as bait in the engine bay.
Usually on the driver battery and vacuum reservoir.
I check them every couple of weeks and this works well for my application.
Speaking of videos, check this one out RJ.
If I were you, I would pull the blower motor out and look in to the dash vents from there.
If nothing is found, pull the dash bezel and look into the vents from there.
If nothing is found, check in the evaporator coil housing.
If nothing is found, grab an endoscope and start looking via the camera.
Just some ideas...
As for prevention, I have tried everything to keep them away including peppermint, moth *****, etc...
I don't use poison of any sort because we have a pond on the property, dogs, cats and wildlife. I have found a good method over the years and that is to put two spring traps with peanut butter as bait in the engine bay.
Usually on the driver battery and vacuum reservoir.
I check them every couple of weeks and this works well for my application.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 934
Likes: 67
Thanks Sous, I appreciate it. I was just cooling off in the shade and wondering what to tear apart next. Great video.
Trending Topics
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,076
Likes: 4,691
From: Henderson, NV
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,076
Likes: 4,691
From: Henderson, NV
I think it’s probably in the box where the heater core sits. It’s the lowest part of the duct system and I can see a critter falling into that hole and not being able to climb back out. It sits just behind the glovebox. There will be a panel held with screws that you will have to remove to get to that cavity.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 934
Likes: 67
Checked it already. I was able to tilt it out without removing it and there were no droppings or anything in there. Do you think I should remove it completely? I wondered if droppings could be blown out of there.
Next to the heat exchanger is a doohickey with baffles that are controlled by the vent control ****. Could it be in there? Can I get into that?
Next to the heat exchanger is a doohickey with baffles that are controlled by the vent control ****. Could it be in there? Can I get into that?
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,076
Likes: 4,691
From: Henderson, NV
If you were able to get a good look in there then don’t remove the heater core. Removing it requires drainage of coolant. If you have a ball valve each on both heater hoses you can use them to shut off the flow of coolant but whatever is still in the core will still make a mess.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
If the critter pissed in there, you're going to have to clean or replace the contaminated area to get rid of the smell, which gets enhanced when you turn the heat on. So...follow your nose and do your due diligence or you'll regret it later.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 172
Likes: 66
From: Texas gulf coast
Man that sucks!!! I had the same thing happen in a nice Pontiac car years back. I pulled the blower motor and used an air nozzle to blow the vents backwards to there, then blew from there back towards the cabin air filter
Wound up blowing 3 dead baby mice out but it was too late, I sold the car because I couldn’t stand the stink. If it would have been my 7.3 the dash would have come out before I sold it.
Good luck
Wound up blowing 3 dead baby mice out but it was too late, I sold the car because I couldn’t stand the stink. If it would have been my 7.3 the dash would have come out before I sold it.
Good luck
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 934
Likes: 67
Cabin air filter? Where might that be?
I've been fishing around in there with a thin (1" ID) hose attached to my shop vac, but I have a big blower used to winterize pools and spas. Maybe I'll have better luck with that.
Can anyone tell me where the air intake for the blower is?
I've been fishing around in there with a thin (1" ID) hose attached to my shop vac, but I have a big blower used to winterize pools and spas. Maybe I'll have better luck with that.
Can anyone tell me where the air intake for the blower is?