Dead Rat inside blower motor, 2001 Access cab Tacoma, 315K miles

After returning from a three week vacation and leaving my truck sitting neglected , the AC blower in my 2001 access cab 4x4 2.7L, made a crazy sound and the entire cab smelled horribly and the odors came from the blower. I checked under the hood and found 2 separate rat nests. Cleaned those out and then turned my attention to the blower.

I removed the blower and discovered a dead rat inside the squirrel cage. My wife screamed and made me throw out the entire blower and the entombed rat. I obtained a new one from RockAuto.com and installed it. A/C and blower now work like new, however the entire truck is permeated with odors of dead rat, rat pee and rat feces.

My question is: other than the engine compartment and the blower cage, where might these odors be coming from? There is no evidence that a rat or any other creature actually got into the cab of the truck.

Looking for guidance as to what I need to clean.

 

The smell is probably all up in the air ways behind the dash, maybe get a bore scope and try to go through all the vents and see if anything else is inside

 

need to get an enzyme cleaner. where ever the "liquid" portion of the dead rat was or basically the whole area...you may not see it but it did leak some stinky fluid at some point. then dried so until its cleaned up it will be there. Febreeze the rest of the truck and run the outside air etc get as much air circulating through.

$20 Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Stain & Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor, 32oz Enzyme Pet Odor Eliminator for Home, Carpet Stain Remover for Cats & Dog Pee, Enzymatic Cat Urine Destroyer, Carpet Cleaner Spray

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Strength-Stain-Odor-Eliminator/dp/B00CKFL93K

 

and you didnt take any pictures....

 

I'd start with taking the dash apart and washing the ducting with a bleach solution. I would not want to be breathing that crap even if the smell goes away.

It isn't as daunting as it sounds, you can have it done in a few hours

 

Thanks for the responses, all were useful. I should have taken a picture of the entombed rat at least. Also, I was trying to avoid taking the dash apart but for reasons of safety I will and will bleach everything.

Glen

 

Seems to happen all the time I get mice though not rats

Clean the blower motor out I am good to go.

The Skunks are more of a pain then dead rodents

 

Atleast they arnt eating your wires... that would really suck