Air filters

Well, I went to change my cabin filter today and it was absolutely filthy and had a mouse nest in it(above the filter). Taking the cowl off tomorrow to access the hvac intake and clear what im assuming is gonna be a mouse nest in the intake above the filter as well.

whike I’m doing this, I’m gonna put a new air filter in for the engine. I see the actual intake is in the quarter panel. How do I access this and do I actually need to clean anything out in there? If I saw one mouse I’m assuming there is more in the main intake.

does anyone have pics of how to access the intake from the quarter panel?

2013 trd sport.

 

You have to remove the passenger side fender well liner to get to it.
But I doubt there is any thing in there.

So they ate through the filter? There is no way for them to get on top of the filter from the fender intake.
Not unless they ate through the filter.

Also, there is a carbon filter built into the upper intake box lid.

 

To change the engine air filter you don't need to access the quarter panel intake. The access point is over the engine.... maybe I don't understand the question.

 

Oh my bad if I’m not being clear. Super easy to change the engine air filter, I’m looking to check from the engine air filter to the actual intake to look for mouse nests. How do I access the actual intake from the quarter panel?

 

I guess they came under the cowl and went down the hvac intake. The actual filter was disgusting, but there was a huge mouse nest above the filter in that black mesh/foam hanging down. I need to remove the cowl to check in the hvac intake.

I also just wanted to check from the main intake to the engine air filter . Seems hard to access that

 

these threads might be what you are looking
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/help-mice-rats-hitting-on-my-cabin-filter.837926/#post-30017653
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...l-kits-and-hvac-screens.811746/#post-29114338

 

oh…..ok.
I thought you were talking about the engine air filter.

The cabin filter intake port, is under the windshield cowl.

 

There are ways for mice to get to the cabin filter if it is not upgraded.

not ways to enter the engine filter nor would it be as desireable as a spot to them.

 

Isnt the main air intake a straight open pipe until it hits the air filter? Couldn’t they crawl right up that? Or am I mistaken ?

 

What air filter are you talking about?
The engine or the cabin filter (inside truck for the AC)?

 

did you check it

 

Yes, they can and will go clear up the intake tube to the engine air filter. I had a pack rat move in and shit all over on the "in" side of the engine air filter element.

It is a pain to remove the tube back to the fender liner - but that will be necessary to get any "foreign" material out of the tube. When it is out use some steel wire mesh material to build a cage they can't pass through.
You should do the same thing for the HVAC opening when you are in the cowl.

Well worth the effort - the little buggers will not go away - unless you hire a guard cat.

 

That’s what I’m trying to do

 

Does the actual cowl prevent water from getting into the truck? If I pop up the cowling, and it doesn’t seal back again perfectly, will that induce leaks?

 

I've never had a problem with my cowl cover not doing the job - and our monsoon rain dumps are epic here. Don't break that plastic cover though, the price of replacement will leave you in shock. The plenum trough will fill up with tree debris over time if you don't find a good way to clean the area out - so practice at feeding a vac hose in there is useful.

 

It's only "helps" keep water out. it is not 100% leak proof.
There is a gutter under the windshield that diverts water to the passenger side wheel well.

See the link below for all the info you need.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/water-thru-cabin-air-intake-my-solution.88655/