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Mouse proof the cabin air intake

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by df_252, Jul 8, 2020.

  1. df_252

    df_252 New Member

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    2007 Prius
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    Three
    I decided to do the hardware cloth mouse proofing of the cabin air filter. Removed the wipers, cowl cover and wiper motor/transmission. When I looked at the opening on the passenger side, I could see that there was a "secondary firewall", behind the firewall that has all the holes in it. This secondary firewall has a long hole directly in front of and above the cabin air filter. I believe that covering this hole with hardware cloth will completely protect the cabin air filter. I cut a 3-1/2"X17" piece of 1/8X1/8 hole hw cloth and slid it into place. I was able to put a couple of screws in through the existing hole. I then drilled out the round hole at the passenger side of the firewall and, using a long driver put a screw in at that end and then I drilled a 1/2" hole midway and put another screw in there.
    The problem with covering just the big holes in the firewall is that there are access points from the wheel wells that are inaccessible to plug. I then screened off the holes in the firewall and stuffed steel wool in the round holes in the hood mounts where the red wire is passing through. I did this to try to keep mouse nests out of the cowl area.


    IMG_5063.JPG
    This is the hole behind the firewall

    IMG_5071.JPG
    Screen in place between firewalls

    IMG_5053.JPG
    Wire shows access from engine compartment

    IMG_5079.JPG I​
    Screen on secondary firewall visible through large hole.

    IMG_5083.JPG
    IMG_5084.JPG ​
    IMG_5082.JPG
     
    #1 df_252, Jul 8, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2020
    bisco, ydpplqbd and SFO like this.
  2. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I wouldn’t use steel wool it will quickly rust and disintegrate and make a mess.

    Open the hatch look under the spare tire see if the rubber drain grommet is still there look in the 12 volt battery hole and see if any water in that hole, there’s 2 vents in that area to vent compression air when you slam the hatch. There’s also a vent for the hybrid battery fan. Don’t block any of those.

    Look for mouse poop back there too. Miss Cyberprius should come by soon and weigh in she’s a mouse expert.
     
    #2 edthefox5, Jul 9, 2020
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    well done!(y)

    you're a better man than me. i just put up with the dead mouse smell :oops:
     
    #3 bisco, Jul 9, 2020
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    This stuff looks interesting:



    Or maybe they'll drag it off to make nests, lol?
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Jul 9, 2020
  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    ,yes better than steel wool that’s rusts over night.
     
    #5 edthefox5, Jul 9, 2020
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. df_252

    df_252 New Member

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    Steel wool was a quick fix for those spots. I did pour some used motor oil on/into the steel wool as a rust preventive...
     
    #6 df_252, Jul 10, 2020
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