Mouse nest in air filter box

[mister moose]

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.

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:

 

[Curious Hound]

Or kill the mouse.

 

[sheep herder]

Or kill the mouse.

No matter how many mice I kill, more keep showing up.

 

[Dirtman]

Put a snake in the airbox....

 

[RobbieD]

Good fix. I like it.

 

[RonD]

Good stuff

 

[Alan_nc]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Curious Hound]

In my experience mice are repulsed by the smell of rotting clam chowdah.

They're not the only ones repulsed by that odor.

 

[Dirtman]

They're not the only ones repulsed by that odor.

Any port in a storm...

 

[cbxer55]

Put on a CAI, No more airbox. LOL!!

 

[Alan_nc]

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]

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]

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.