Rats/Squirrels Nest in Air Ducts - How to Access?

[muckymotor]

I had an issue where air was mostly only blowing out of the foot vents and defrost. I went under the passenger side dash to replace the blower motor resistor (to fix another issue) and noticed I had a rats/squirrel's nest in some of the air ducts. I removed what I could with my hands and noticed when I removed some of the nest that air was now blowing out of the face vents again but only partially.

I'm wondering if I can get in behind the dash to clean out the rest of the nest from the air ducts and if air would fully return to the face vents.

I've also noticed that if I set the AC switch to just come out of the face vents, most of the air is still only coming out of the floor. So maybe this is another issue completely?

I don't think it's a vacuum issue since I'm still getting air out of the face vents. Just not as much as I feel like I should. I think there's still a good amount of the nest in there. I'd like to access the ducts and clean it all out if possible. Is that possible?

 

[macleanflood]

I'd just pull the entire dash and HVAC box. You'll be able to split the box and really get things cleaned up and inspect wiring and vacuum lines.

It's that or drilling a couple of careful 1" holes and hoping you can suck everything out.

-Mac

 

[muckymotor]

I'd just pull the entire dash and HVAC box. You'll be able to split the box and really get things cleaned up and inspect wiring and vacuum lines.

It's that or drilling a couple of careful 1" holes and hoping you can suck everything out.

-Mac

That's kinda what I'm thinking as well. Am I able to access the HVAC and pull the ducts without removing the steering column?

 

[macleanflood]

Some folks have done that.

It's a couple of electrical plugs, four bolts going up and one securing the column to the mid shaft. Super easy to pull out... don't spin it and break the clock spring....and gives you so much more room.

Also just four fasteners to pull a seat.

-Mac

 

[InOmaha]

We use one of these to clean up dryer lint that gets past the screen. It might get some of it out. Pop off the vent covers and stuff it down the dash.

https://www.ezvacuum.com/products/d...aner-hoses-quickly-removes-lint-prevent-fires

It might get enough out you can schedule your disasembly for when you have time.

We had some mice move into my daughter's car. Luckily they stopped at the cabin filter.