Mouse bedding in fresh air inlet

Wow, that is really amazing. Probably don't have to worry about that up here but if I smell something, I will know where to check first. lol

 

post pics or it didn't happen :-x

 

This is how we purchased our used Prius for a cheap price. Dealer oversprayed cleaning solution and when asked said a test driver spilled their drink on the back seat and thus cleaning solution was used. However, shortly after purchasing the car there was an unusual smell. Our Prius Mouse ate through the air filter. Thankfully he has never returned - but he saved us a ton of money. $20 to replace the filter and have the system checked by a different Toyota dealership to ensure the mouse didn't ruin anything else while he was hiding "in there."
Love to know what is on the filter that attracts mice.(?)

 

I had a mouse under the hood of my last car. Creeped me out! Can't stand the little buggers, but it could be worse...could be snakes.

 

I hope they all got out before you sealed their exit.

 

Here is a good mouse proofing project for those who are interested:
http://priuschat.com/forums/knowledge-base-articles-discussion/51005-mouseproofing-prius.html

 

I had this same exact problem happen to me the first time a few weeks back. I also noticed an 'odd' smell, and even more so, when the A/C was on, you heard the motor working harder, with less cool air output.

I take a look and was shocked to see the cabin filter with a nice, large hole through it. I went to my dealer to have them clean out the blower intake and such, and they told me "Yeah, this things happens more often then you think". First time for me, though. Hope it doesn't happen again.

 

Just FYI - there is a fresh air inlet in the two rear corners - they are under the bumper cover on each side. I believe they are accessible from the inside by removing the battery cover on one side, and other covers on the other side.

I I was a mouse, that's an easy point of entry - just has a flimsy rubber gasket that moves at the touch of your finger... I'm actually surprised enthusiastic car washers don't get water inside.

Easy to mouse proof though

That'd be my preferred location if I was a mouse...

 

Warm quiet places that keep a rodent warm and dry, like new cars sitting on the lots at the port of entry or in the holds of transoceanic ships for months make ideal nesting sites. Rodents exist in such places in considerable numbers, especially if there's food source nearby. Not surprising at all.

 

Snakes . . . one more reason not to live in Florida.

 

After changing my oil today I opened the air filter housing and popped out the air filter only to be baffled by a pile of miniature acorns. From the prior posts it seems I should investigate further...jeez.

 

Coming soon to a theater near you: "Snakes on a Prius!"

 

Those poor hamsters have to live somewhere while they're not running our motors!

 

Same thing happened to us except the smell was awful (not the slight odd smell the OP had.) The car had been left for 15 days (it's been left for 30 days before with no problems but not in warm weather) and the garage and car smelled awful.

We really hoped it was a dead animal in the garage but couldn't find it. The smell stayed in the car even when it was outside.

Pulled out the cabin filter to find three dead babies on the filter and a huge nest.

Vacuumed out everything. Washed and Febreezed the filter and the car now just smells of Febreeze. Washed and febreezed the vacuum filters and put in a new bag.

Will get a new cabin filter tomorrow since they chewed holes in this one.

Thanks for the posts that helped me figure out what to do.

(BTW: I have pics of the filter with the bodies and the nest in the car but you don't really want to see them. Trust me.)

 

Sorry to hear this... Since there are so many people experiencing the same thing, I don't think it would be an issue to post the picture up. I too would like to know where this air filter is and/or a better picture of the HOLE that was actually chewed out...

For some reason mice really REALLY seem to be attracted to this filter...

Anyone have pictures of where to install the MESH to prevent the entry into the AIR INTAKE?!?? The post in the 1st page was really helpful but that was from 2008 for GENII and also in the REAR hatch area where the 12Volt battery is located and not the front passenger air intake...

If anyone has a better LINK or thread they could share that would be great!!!

 

Well it looks like you gen 3 owners are in much better luck in making an effective mouse proofing screen over the cabin air intake. See hobbit's web page here:
3rd-gen block heater

 

not much help here...except how to remove the windshield cowling...