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Rodent damage prevention with screens?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Bill Serres, Jun 15, 2012.

  1. Bill Serres

    Bill Serres New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2012
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I just spent $1800 having the dealer clean up the rodent mess in the passenger cabin dashboard area of my new (6 month old) 2011 Prius Gen 3. Yesterday I removed the upper cowl cover and installed a rodent screen over the one large air inlet opening on the passenger side which leads to the cabin air filter. This appears to be the only entry path from the engine compartment and cowl area to the cabin area but I'm not sure. I have only been able to find Patrick Wong's detailed instructions for installing rodent screens on a Gen 2 Prius and it seems to have more entry points from the cowl area to the cabin i.e. 4 0r 5?? I also screened the engine air intake. There or two vents in the rear cargo area which I am screening today. Does anyone know how many holes need to be rodent screened and their locations on a Pruis Gen 3?
    The rodent(s) also chewed up the black rubber cover over the front hole in the cabin fan air box just above the cabin air filter. The dealer installed a new non porous air cover which completely blocks this hole. I'm not sure what the purpose of the hole and original rubber cover was but it may have been an air inlet or discharge. Does anyone know the function of the hole or where a proper replacement rubber strip cover is available? Also there is a remnant of a similar rubber strip cover under a fastener in the passenger side cowl water drain hole area - so I am trying to determine the function of that cover and where a replacement is available.
    Thanks for any help and I am happy to pass on additional details of my experience if anyone is interested.
    Bill Serres

     
  2. Dearing

    Dearing New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2013
    1
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yes Bill, pa-leeese send more details....
    Does anyone know if the 2013 Prius has factory screens over mouse prone areas ?

    Thanks
    Dearing
     
  3. danlavigueur

    danlavigueur Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2010
    2
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    Location:
    canada
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Interesting that you mentioned this, I just spend $700.00 last week to my toyota dealer about a major problem with lights in the dashboard and MF display leadind me to think my converter/inverter or my hybrid battery was about to die. The mechanic was good at findind two wires prior the inverter were eatean by either mouse or some sort of insect I had red triangle, the amber brake the vsc the car ! Also the battery hybrid that came one after the other and stayed on. I remember having spent 3days at my cottage in wilderness the week before.
    Few years ago my truck park at my cottage got badly damage by rodent Could not start the truck anymore.