pesky mouse eating air filteršŸ˜”

Fatboy1960

Fatboy1960

Joined
Jan 9, 2020
Posts
47
Likes collected
23
Location
Merseyside
Funster No
67,905
MH
Swift 685
Exp
Iā€™m a newbie
I recently had the air filter replaced (fiat ducato 2019) as part of a routine service. On our way back from a week long trip (on grass) there was a sudden loss of power and an engine warning sign said to check the engine and the engine went into limp mode

The fiat dealer showed me a photo of the cause - a mouse had got into the air filter and had chewed the paper on the air filter parts of the filter had then broken off causing the warning notice

The dealer says he sees 3-4 similar cases a year

I dont want to have to go the expense of replacing the air filter again the dealer had no tips for prevention - told me i was lucky it had not done more damage

I plan to contact Fiat (but not optimistic) any top tips appreciated
 
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donkey said:
Fit a wire mesh over the air intake.

Geoff
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What Geoff said
Or, there may be a gridded intake cover available?

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Needs to be a fine mesh.
If you can push a BIC biro through the holes a mouse can get through.
 
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K R B said:
Needs to be a fine mesh.
If you can push a BIC biro through the holes a mouse can get through.
Click to expand...
That's an old wives tale.

The problem with a mesh is it will restrict the airflow and cause problems with the airflow sensors.
You would be better making a sold cap from aluminum or something the mice can't chew through & fit it when not using the van.
 
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icantremember said:
Obviously you have a problem with the cat.:wink:
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Cat is the answer, we had a serious mouse problem in our house, grounds and outbuildings when we moved in. I saw a mouse run on top of the kitchen units, over my bed at night etc etc.

Two cats from the local rescue center and bingo....no mice anywhere and two new friends (y)

20211109_205911.jpg
 
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Sorry Lenny hb not a old wife tale try Google
 
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Lenny HB said:
That's an old wives tale.

The problem with a mesh is it will restrict the airflow and cause problems with the airflow sensors.
You would be better making a sold cap from aluminum or something the mice can't chew through & fit it when not using the van.
Click to expand...
Lenny is right

You'll need the width of a Sharpie pen for a mouse to get through.
(20+ years in pest control has taught me this)

His idea of a temporary cover sounds like a good solution.
Easy to fit and remove when needed.
 
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K R B said:
Sorry Lenny hb not a old wife tale try Google
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They used to say 'don't believe everything you read in The Sun'
Same applies with Google - it's only opinions from people who claim to know everything.
 
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A mesh of 10mm is not going to stop much air flow and will stop mice. Often the MAF will have a mesh fitted to it which is much finer, and even if the mesh did cause a slight restriction it would be less than an air filter and is before the MAF which is measuring the air quantity into the engine anyway.
 
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Taken to further outcomes, it'd be more than an air filter.
Bits of air filter then enter the engine, some in particulate form. First contact will be the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, then on modern engines more sensors for temps etc, then one or two turbos, some with variable vane actuation, then the intercooler, then the intake manifold/ vales etc etc. Paper filters in lumps and particulate block up sensors and pressure / vacuum pipes to valves for tube actuation again, etc etc. Lock up turbos and vanes, create excessive wear on valves, even rings/ bores. Ā£Ā£Ā£'s.
Blocking up the air intake is definitely A way to go, but then you're watching out for your wiring / hab air intake, or one I did recently, taking fuel tank out to get to mouse house above it, that had chewed through the fuel pipe on the lift/ primary pump, and fuel/ mileage had dropped to 6mpg.
 
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They didnā€™t get as far as the air filter.

I had berry scented screen wash, which must have turned out to be irresistible.

FADDC8B7-6D25-4DC1-A3FE-2881825574D2.jpeg

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Fatboy1960 said:
I recently had the air filter replaced (fiat ducato 2019) as part of a routine service. On our way back from a week long trip (on grass) there was a sudden loss of power and an engine warning sign said to check the engine and the engine went into limp mode

The fiat dealer showed me a photo of the cause - a mouse had got into the air filter and had chewed the paper on the air filter parts of the filter had then broken off causing the warning notice

The dealer says he sees 3-4 similar cases a year

I dont want to have to go the expense of replacing the air filter again the dealer had no tips for prevention - told me i was lucky it had not done more damage

I plan to contact Fiat (but not optimistic) any top tips appreciated
Click to expand...
Can I swap you a mouse for a fox?
 
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Fatboy1960 said:
The moveable solid cover seems a good option šŸ‘
Click to expand...
As long as you remember (key INSIDE a pouch that you can keep the cover in too, perhaps?) and that the cover is solid material, but maybe not too "obvious", it would also prevent driving away whilst in storage. ANY additional theft prevention gotta be good.
 
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New cat req or a good Terrier.
Not sure contacting Fiat would work tho. :rolleyes:

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If the air intake is the same as the X250 Ducato then the inlet is on the bonnet slam panel as that is where i would add mesh. That way they canā€™t enter the system at all, if installing mesh further down the system you will never know, until too late, that they have made their nest in the duct work.
 
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