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“Hole” in heater box

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Julia222, Aug 14, 2021.

  1. Julia222

    Julia222 New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
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    II
    Several years ago my AC seemed to stop blowing so I removed the cabin filter and discovered a kitchen towel had gotten sucked into the cone-shaped fan underneath. The towel was in there and since it had thrashed around there was also a lot of insulation (from the top of the glove box, I think). Now after my car interior getting soaked in the rain I am having a mold smell. The dealer is saying the problem is that "someone cut a hole in the heater box", but it appears to me to actually be a torn-out screen of some sort, which I am assuming the towel is responsible for. What sort of material was there and can I replace it? Also, what is supposed to be above that? There's no top of any sort.
    inside fan.JPG.png holes.png
     
    #1 Julia222, Aug 14, 2021
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    how long have you owned her? tough to suck a towel in there with the weak fan and past the filter.
    hard to see, but i doubt it is accounting for the moldy smell. check the 12v battery area and spare tire for water accumulation, and all the floor carpeting.

    put a piece of duct tape over the hole for now. you might have (had) rodents if the edges look chewed.
    if not, it might be the flap area that lets a percent of fresh air in when on recirculate.

    not sure the dealer has any more clue than i do.
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 14, 2021
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Find a junk yard that lets you pull parts off wrecked vehicles and grab the parts that are missing....
     
    #3 PriusCamper, Aug 14, 2021
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I’m thinking mice. No droppings/pee?
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Aug 14, 2021
  5. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    the 'hole' has a thin foam layer covering it (put a piece of tape over it or leave it open, doesn't matter /
    the 'open space' is just that, an open space to suck the air in when in recirculating mode /
     
    #5 StarCaller, Aug 14, 2021
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