Rodentia in AC

Have I got a weird one for this group. I have a 1997 SC2 and this weekend
the AC seemed to go bonkers. There was a fierce rattle in the system, fan
speed dependent, and maybe 20% airflow. What a time for it to go out as it
has been in the 100's around here. I deducted that there was something
wrong with the fan so when I dropped it to check, I discovered a pile of
nesting material in the fan. I believe it is from some sort of rodent around
our carport ( we live in the mountains). I also found similiar materials on
top of my Subaru engine when I opened it to check the oil. I am posting this
is to let folks know of the risk of something getting into their AC ducting
like this.

I also have a question as to how the critter got in there. I called the
local Saturn service to ask where the entrance locations are for outside air
and he told me that the air comes in through the cowl vents located under
the windshield washers. He said they are screened. I checked that location
and found the screens were completely intact. So I'm stymied. How did a
somewhat large rodent( the material I found on the Subaru were some very
large sticks and misc) get into my ducting upstream of the blower fan? Any
ideas? I would like to prevent this in the future (assuming it hasn't
returned yet). If it gets in again I wouldn't really know it until we turned
the AC on and the fan would turn into a very fast Hamster wheel for it.
Trying to kill or trap it beforehand isn't a good option since we have pets
and another would probably show up. Thanks, Marty

 

I am posting this

Wow, all I can say here is that is weird. If you figure out how it got in
please let us know.

Charles

 

I've had for years, mice making nests in the air filter box. I have
to check the airbox at least once a month and clean out the stuff in
there or they will clog it solid.

Also, I'll find alot of food stores on the valve cover at some points
of the year. And this car was a daily driver (I have since traded it
in).

And here I have a 3 car garage that they could call home, they pick
the motorhome instead

Tony

 

<mice in AC snipped>

I had the same exact thing happen in my wife's Acura Integra. Took me a
couple of hours with a tiny screwdriver to clean out all the fins after
dropping the heater motor.

I don't think they returned as the air flow has remained good.

My wife is a Veteranarian, so having a family of mice in her AC did not
surprise me....

(we have 4 wild bunnies about 2 weeks old right now. The mom get killed by
a dog. So far they are doing great)

-David