I replaced this cabin filter 4 months ago. The car is always garaged and the only thing I can conclude is that a mouse or some other critter caused this. Any idea how the little bastard would be gaining access to this? The filter cover was securely in place.

 

Oh wow, that's wild.. I think you're exactly right--a mouse. If I were to make an educated guess, it got access through an intake vent down below (someone might know where that is), chewed through the right hand side of the filter, crawled on top, and made a nest.

Some mice traps in the garage will probably take care of it. Hope the thing didn't get stuck in there, but if it did, it would probably make some audible scratching noises if you get in the car at night and start moving around.

Keep us posted.

-Chris

 

That is one dirty filter even with mouse living in it! I replace my filter in year, and it has clean has the one I take out.

 

That filter is way more than 4 months old. Disregarding the leaf trash, the filter body itself is significantly darkened, which tells me it's been many, many, many months from new. Did you replace the filter yourself or was it at some shop that did nothing but charged you for the work not done?

 

^^^This^^^

Mouse trap or a cat is how you solve a mouse problem. Mice can cause all types of havoc like eating wires among other items.

 

I'm with you...Mine is oem from 2012 (23k miles) and looks like new compared to that...

 

I was the one that replaced it and it really is only 4 months old. The filter wasn't white when it was new. It was not my first choice, but used what was available at the time. I think it was a CarQuest brand filter. I'm using an ACDelco this time. What I'm really curious about it how to prevent any of them from gaining access again. I have traps set in the garage.

 

I’m not sure that was caused by mice

 

Wow, that filter looks 10 years old

 

As you place the new filter into its' slot put a Bounce dryer sheet on top. Rodents (mice, chipmonks, squirrels) hate the smell and go else where, and no effect on the function of the filter.

 

WOW. There are not many access points to the filter area.
If not the screen at the windshield base of the driver's side cowl or the cover for the filter case itself, then there are the vents in the cabin, including the floor.

From the tear, it could be possible the mouse came from the vent tubing below the filter.

I'd remove the filter case cover and filter and set a trap.
Last thing you want is a trapped and dead mouse in the tubing or AC fan motor case.

Get a new filter, try the Bounce sheet mentioned above, and I wish you good luck.

 

The screen at the base of the windshield is in place and undamaged. I do see the vent tube you mentioned, but can't get a look at it from below. I wonder if some type of metal screen should be placed over it? I know mice can wreak havoc on lots of things, including wiring and I want to make sure he's gone and not getting back in!

 

I would not install any extra metal screens....at this point in time.
If the mouse did not get through at the cowl screen, or through the cabin filter access cover, it must have come from inside the car.
Crawled up the vents on the floor, crawled down the windshield defroster vents, entered the dash panel vents.
I guess it is also possible the ducting has cracked and the mouse entered the system through a crack, or hole, behind the dash, gauge cluster, radio, etc.
Accessing the entire ducting system is a major project, so I emphasize don't let the mouse die in the car.

There are not that many ways into the tubing of the AC ducting system.
So the question remains, how did the mouse access your system?

Again, the best is to set some traps inside the car and under hood to see if the mouse is still living in the car.
After that, set some traps outside the car to try to catch it....maybe he is mobile LOL.

As for screens, there is not much access and your post is one of the few I have read with this issue.
I suppose you could "get to work" and make some screens at all the air/heat exhaust ducts that enter the cabin, but first please deduce how that mouse got in.

All FWIW... again good luck.

 

Do NOT do this!

If the dryer sheet falls down inside the duct, which often happens next time you remove the filter, you'll have a major repair job on your hands to remove the old dryer sheet.

Several members on this forum have learned this lesson the hard way.

YMMV

 

Those little beady eyed bastards. Have tried everything. Dryer sheets, lights around the car, red pepper flakes, peppermint oil. Have replaced the cabin air filter with the recleanable K&N filter. It's a stiffer unit with screens on both sides. So far, so good. The only time I feel confident that the car is protected from mice is Winter when she goes in the Car Capsule. Snug as a bug in a rug. I can relax till April.

 

I have a serious mouse problem due to living in the middle of the woods. Mice get into my cabin filter area no matter what. That is, until I finally found a permanent solution that works. I bought on Amazon and installed it in my underhood area. I installed it on day 1 on my Corvette because I had previously installed one in my other car with amazing results. I didn't want to relearn this problem with the Corvette. Anyway, I went from having a serious mouse problem to complete and immediate abatement. Installation is easy. It runs off the car battery. You can clean and replace your cabin filters all you want, but if you don't address the source, you will always have problems. I have tried other similar devices and have not had good results, so I can only vouch for the specific unit that I linked to. I have to ties or other interest with this product.