Heavy Duty Cabin Air Filter?

[RHeinz]

This is the cabin air filter out of my Daughters Outer Banks. Doing its job…. Wouldn’t want to be breathing all those acorns. Looks like a squirrel has been sitting on top of it cracking and eating acorns, and also a small section of the filter!

Is there not some barrier or grill in the fresh air inlet duct to prevent this? A plastic grill that has perhaps already been eaten through?

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[GI_Jo_Nathan]

I feel like that's more a symptom of where it's parked.

 

[MileHighCitizen]

 

[Brian_B]

Aww they even nibbled on the paper filter for some desert. And a few squirrel nuggets in there because they couldn't make it out to the squirrel facilities in time.

K&N Cabin Air filter has a metal mesh in it, that might keep the critters from eating it, but it wouldn't keep them from eating there. Need to look into rodent control - I have had good luck with Irish Spring soap. My air intake box looked something like that first time I opened it at like 1,500 miles, I was shocked - I had only had it a few weeks.

Had the same thing (more or less) happen in a Bronco II - it doesn't have an air filter, but it does have a box where the evaporator for the AC sits in, right before the heater core - and it was an entire nest of the buggers and a pain to clean out. Still get bits of twigs and berries that blow into the cabin when you turn the air on high.

 

[Brostango]

Oh Wow! Now I have to check mine, 23K and I've never checked.

 

[RHeinz]

OK, so how did they (the squirrels) get in? Seems like the fresh air inlet is at the center of the cowling Behind the hood.

Huh?

 

[Ducati1098]

K&N makes an aftermarket one that looks more heavy duty kind of
KNNVF2078 is the part number
I have no experience with it so I can’t really give a review on it though.

Edit: Nvm, just saw @Brian_B already mentioned this.

 

[RHeinz]

K&N makes an aftermarket one that looks more heavy duty kind of
KNNVF2078 is the part number
I have no experience with it so I can’t really give a review on it though.

Edit: Nvm, just saw @Brian_B already mentioned this.

Yes, thanks! But how are the squirrels getting in to the fresh air duct??

 

[Ducati1098]

Yes, thanks! But how are the squirrels getting in to the fresh air duct??

I’m not really sure. I haven’t had the cowl apart on a Bronco so I don’t really know what it looks like or if there is some type of screen. I’d imagine there would be though.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Yes, thanks! But how are the squirrels getting in to the fresh air duct??

I wouldn't assume that squirrels are the culprit in the air duct. Just because you have squirrel activity seen outside of the Bronco doesn't mean they are responsible for what you showed attempting to make a nest. I would take the advice of rodent control and do a thorough check of all wiring harnesses.

 

[MEAT_GOD]

I feel like that's more a symptom of where it's parked.

And for how long...

 

[Bill K]

This is the cabin air filter out of my Daughters Outer Banks. Doing its job…. Wouldn’t want to be breathing all those acorns. Looks like a squirrel has been sitting on top of it cracking and eating acorns, and also a small section of the filter!

Is there not some barrier or grill in the fresh air inlet duct to prevent this? A plastic grill that has perhaps already been eaten through?

I suspect rodents. My wife's CRV had a similar cabin air filter issue and we actually had acorn pieces in the blower (those were fun to fish out after hearing the noise they made). Strongly concur with rodent prevention. In our case, we now have a screech owl on premises..

 

[Tdub0527]

I have oak trees all over my yard and every winter mice find their way into the house no matter what I do to prevent it. I have frequently found acorns like this brought in too where they make a little nest. I'm no expert but with how small of spaces mice can get into I think there is a strong possibility mice did it, not squirrels. Check for mice droppings in that mess...if it was a mouse you are bound to see some droppings with it. Hope they don't head for your wires next!!!

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