dead mouse in blower - advice on accessing ductwork

[jbm23]

I turned on my A/C, and the blower made a bad noise, then the noise stopped, but the incoming air stunk bad. I removed the blower, and found the head of a mouse. I think the rest on the mouse was blown into the ductwork. Can you provide advice on the easiest way to remove the rest of this pest? I'm hoping I don't have to remove alot of the dash, as I don't have alot of auto repair experience. I'm thinking of trying to blow it out by forcing air through vents one at a time with a shop vac, while covering the other vents.

Ideally I'd access the vents via removal and wipe out where the critter was sitting, if it does not require major removal of stuff.

Thanks in advance for any advice & details on how to fix.

[groovemasterodi]

the Camry of Gore!

[ekpolk]

Oh dear Lord, that's worse than the time the neighborhood tomcat "sprayed" into the air intake of my wife's car years ago. I dunno, maybe you should park it in the hot summer sun as much as you can so as to accelerate the transition from openly putrifying to just dried out furry skeleton.

[xtremeskier97]

Wow...that's absolutely disgusting! You probably have the best idea, but you can take the whole dash out and get to most areas of the vents, except for the center vents. If it were me, Id take the whole dash out and remove the blower. Then I would discharge the a/c and remove the evaporator. Finally, I would do what you suggested with the vac motor.

Good luck!

[Kep]

You will likely end up having to pull the evaporator but initially like xtremeskier97 suggests. However, you can pull the blower and remove the cover over the evaporator and look inside without disconnecting the "freon" tubes. You may need to use a mirror. Also try to look up in the air feed to the blower. Maybe the body is up there and the head is the only part that got cut off.

If you decide to attempt cleaning the evaporator and chamber without disassembling it remember that the evaporator is very delicate. The manual mentions that it should not be cleaned with water. I don't know if that means the inside or both the inside and outside. Once you get any chunks out you may be able to use some kind of disinfectant to neutralize the remaining goo (yuck).

Luck
Kep

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by Kep

If you decide to attempt cleaning the evaporator and chamber without disassembling it remember that the evaporator is very delicate. The manual mentions that it should not be cleaned with water. I don't know if that means the inside or both the inside and outside....

It means both. It will rust and then create a leak. Only compressed air should be used on it to clean it.

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by xtremeskier97

It will rust and then create a leak. Only compressed air should be used on it to clean it.

How is an aluminum evaporator going to rust? The evaporator sees hot humid air all the time as well as condensing water out of the air - that's what the water drain is for. I assume the no water instruction is for the inside of the cooling coils because then you would induce water into the A/C system.

[Kep]

Never-the-less, this is what the manual says:

'EVAPORATOR INSPECTION
1. INSPECT FINS FOR BLOCKAGE
If the fins are clogged, clean them with compressed
air.
NOTICE: Never use water to clean the evaporator.

Seems mighty clear that water shouldn't be used to clean the fins.

I agree, it doesn't make sense...but there it is.

Kep

[ekpolk]

Since when was a little compressed air enough to deal with the odor of a full-blown rotting corpse??? OK, it's only a mouse, but still...

Also remember that there's the little problem of dealing with the potential haunting issue where the head is separated from the rest of the remains. The spirit of the departed may become confused by the spatial separation of the key components of the corpse, and decide to remain, forever to haunt the crevises of your conveyance. In short, Mikey's ghost may be there to keep you company when you jump into your car on some foggy late night when you just want to go get some Krystal postage-stamp burgers. Beware!

Note: this is the sort of post that results from a few too many cheezy horror movies, coupled with a bit too much beer. Have a great weekend (or what's left of it...).

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Kep

Never-the-less, this is what the manual says:
NOTICE: Never use water to clean the evaporator.
Seems mighty clear that water shouldn't be used to clean the fins.
Kep

Kep, I think because if you don't cap the high and low sides of the evap then there is a chance to get water inside. I have just finished working on my A/C system (not Camry) and the evap definately needed cleaning. I used varsol and soapy water then rinse. I also used plastic caps on the piping to prevent water, and everything else, from getting inside.

[Maim Menu]

I'm still wondering how a thread like this can exist without pics...

[Zviator]

Originally Posted by Maim Menu

I'm still wondering how a thread like this can exist without pics...

I believe it's already horrifed enough with the words

[yiujai86]

And I thought me finding rat carcass in my intake/filter was bad.

[jbm23]

To all,
Thanks for the posts.

Kep - can you tell me where the cover over the evaporator is and any description on how to remove? I'd like to try what you suggest.

Xtremeskier - I like your suggestion as well in removing the dash. I beleive to do this, I need to pry off the faceplate below the radio to access a few screws, and also remove of couple of screws that are above the instrument panel. Please let me know if I'm right.

My aim is to get this carcass out of the car and wipe down the ducts where accessable. If anyone has a quick link which can give advice on how to remove the dash &/or accessing the evaporator, please post.

If I still can't find the mouse body, I'm thinking of (1) removing the blower then (2) forcing air through vents one at a time, with the hope of forcing the mouse out through where the blower mounts into the system. Please let me know if this could cause a bigger problems (lodging the mouse deeper, breaking some evaporator or other parts, etc). I certainly don't know muchabout the ductwork &/or othe parts,l so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Fortunatley this is not my primary vehicle.

Sorry for the graphic descriptions, but Im trying to get this fixed.

Many thanks to any advice you can give.

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by jbm23

Xtremeskier - I like your suggestion as well in removing the dash. I beleive to do this, I need to pry off the faceplate below the radio to access a few screws, and also remove of couple of screws that are above the instrument panel. Please let me know if I'm right.

That's a start, but there is MUCH more to it than that. Do what you said first, then you need to remove the stereo and a/c controls. Also, you will need to remove the wire connectors at both the left AND the right kick panels. There is a blue box on each side with wires connected in it. They need to be removed. Also, you need to remove the instrument cluster completely (there are several wire connectors on the back). Lower the steering wheel as low as it will go. There are also several nuts/bolts around the dash that have to be removed (I know there are 2 behind the instrument cluster. You will also have to remove the glove box and several panels under the dash. Also the fuse door will need to be removed because there is another bolt/nut under there.

There are others, just cant remember where they all are at the moment. I learned by just getting in there and doing it. I also did it with both front seats removed. You have MUCH more room to work like that.

Good luck! There are some pics in the link in my sig. Not sure if they will help at all.