• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Mouse nest in air filter box


mister moose

New Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2014
Messages
22
Reaction score
7
Points
3
Location
NW CT
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
None
Total Drop
None
Tire Size
OEM
My credo
Never work on a powder day.
Second time this has happened. First time was away from home, truck would stall 15 seconds after starting. Mechanic was convinced it was fuel problem, replaced electric pump at tank. After $700 of parts and labor, he checks the airbox. Finds a mouse nest, and the mouse had chewed through the air filter so the entire mess was clogging up the throttle body.

Second time was yesterday. Had to replace the vent fan, which requires you remove the plastic reservoirs, which requires you remove the air box. Boom, my second mouse nest, although this time I'm thinking chipmunk, all leaves. I'm so done with this.

44555


I thought of what I hope turns into a cheap easy solution. First, remove the airbox from the truck. It's held in place only by 4 rubber pylons. Lift up from the engine side first, then there is a plenum in the front that it has to be lifted clear of, and then the 2 upper rubber pylons against the fender are last. You will see a small trumpet flare on the front of the box, the nice wide air intake, ie mouse tunnel. This fits into a small rectangular plenum. It is held only by 2 barbed body clips. Pry them out and take the plenum out.

My solution is to 1) get yourself some 1/2" hardware cloth type fence. The grid is ideal for mice, small enough to keep them out but not overly restrictive of air flow. And it's a decent gauge metal, so they can't chew through it. I cut a rectangular piece just oversize for the front of the plenum, and bent the excess around the front. The 2 body clips poke through their own holes. Re-install it, and the body clips hold the screen plenty tight.

Here's a photo looking at the screen with the plenum in and the airbox removed:

44554
 
Last edited:


ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,213
Reaction score
16,350
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Or kill the mouse.
 

sheep herder

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Nov 7, 2019
Messages
1,403
Reaction score
1,024
Points
113
Location
sheep pen
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
If it ain't broke, break it.

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.

RobbieD

2.9l Mafia
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
3,803
Reaction score
3,314
Points
113
Location
Georgia
Vehicle Year
1984,1990,1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
Toonces drives a Ranger . . . . just not very well.
Good fix. I like it.
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,291
Reaction score
8,296
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual

Alan_nc

Active Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
May 5, 2020
Messages
211
Reaction score
140
Points
43
Location
US
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ranger Splash
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Just did the exact same job. My truck had been sitting outside for about a year. The mice were still in the nest when I opened it up. Set up some old snap type traps and caught two. Still have the traps set but haven't gotten any for over a week.

But your right.....there are always more mice.
 

Heather’s94

New Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2020
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Brighton TN
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Manual
Popped the hood this week on one sitting for amost 3 years. The entire engine bay was packed... 2 hours of mask, glove and pressure washer later, can almost see the engine.

Mice will get into every part of the cab too. Might want to check the heater ducting. And in the seats.

Trust me on that one...
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.
In my experience mice are repulsed by the smell of rotting clam chowdah. Good way to keep them out of the cab is to pour some down the vents and let it bake in the sun.
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,213
Reaction score
16,350
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
In my experience mice are repulsed by the smell of rotting clam chowdah.
They're not the only ones repulsed by that odor.
 

Dirtman

Former Middleweight Moss Fighting Champion
Joined
May 28, 2018
Messages
19,304
Reaction score
13,326
Points
113
Location
41N 75W
Vehicle Year
2009
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
It's up there.
Total Drop
It's down there.
Tire Size
Round.
My credo
I poop in the furnace.

Alan_nc

Active Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
May 5, 2020
Messages
211
Reaction score
140
Points
43
Location
US
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ranger Splash
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
If you know you are going to be parking the truck in an outside area moth balls do a pretty good job of keeping the critters away.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,390
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Some air filters come with a pretty tight expanded metal mesh on the back side of the filter that might help with the air box issue.

One thing to keep in mind. Mice only need a hole the size of a dime to get into somewhere. Sealing up a vehicle to prevent all the access points is a pretty tall order.

If you don't have one, it might be time to get yourself a farm cat.
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,475
Reaction score
4,412
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
I did the same thing on my 11 Ranger, mice won't get through 1/4" mesh. I left my old Cougar outside one winter and the little shits filled one frame rail with acorns.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top