Patriot4Runner
New member
Disgusting shit. Glad you corrected this.
Checked my cabin air filter.....u gotta be kidding me!
- Thread starter wsgoat
- Start date
If you spray your wire harness with pepper spray, animals do not chew on the wiring anymore.
Yes, that is in American cars only. For instance, all Ford trucks have soy based wiring, so you have to do something or rats will eat all the wires.
I heard of that happening on 90's Mercedes as well.
OliviasDad
New member
Realize this is an older post, but thought I would add my own experience to help current/future members. First, I just bought my 4R a month ago and when I test drove it I could tell it had a funk (understatement), but I assumed it was because the previous owner had dogs in the car on a regular basis. It was also clear to me that the 4R was stored outside for sometime. When I got it home, the first thing I did was to strip it down and pull out the cabin filter and this is what I found...
This filter was likely NEVER changed (this is a 2004 :frusty
and was clearly the MAIN source of the smell. I then broke down every panel, pulled up carpet where necessary, and found further evidence throughout the cabin of mice tracks. Also had a leak in the ceiling of the vehicle when it would rain and upon investigating, the mice had chewed a hole in the drain tubing from the sunroof. Needless to say, I've pulled the car apart and cleaned every nook and cranny, rug scrubbed carpets, dealt with any entry points etc.
Although the car smells 95% better than it did when I purchased it, I still would get a slight funk, so I picked up an Earthcare Odor Removal Bag from Amazon (~$14):
Within 24 hours of hanging the Earthcare odor bag from my rearview mirror, I noticed a major change in the air quality and the smell was completely gone in just a few days. So if you have encountered rodent issues, or just have a bad smell in your 4R, I highly recommend this product. Also, inspect and clean your cabin filters regularly!
This filter was likely NEVER changed (this is a 2004 :frusty
and was clearly the MAIN source of the smell. I then broke down every panel, pulled up carpet where necessary, and found further evidence throughout the cabin of mice tracks. Also had a leak in the ceiling of the vehicle when it would rain and upon investigating, the mice had chewed a hole in the drain tubing from the sunroof. Needless to say, I've pulled the car apart and cleaned every nook and cranny, rug scrubbed carpets, dealt with any entry points etc. Although the car smells 95% better than it did when I purchased it, I still would get a slight funk, so I picked up an Earthcare Odor Removal Bag from Amazon (~$14):
Within 24 hours of hanging the Earthcare odor bag from my rearview mirror, I noticed a major change in the air quality and the smell was completely gone in just a few days. So if you have encountered rodent issues, or just have a bad smell in your 4R, I highly recommend this product. Also, inspect and clean your cabin filters regularly!
BackOff
New member
To add to the conversation...mine had no filter in it when I got it 'certified' new with 15k back in 2004.
Had a Mommy pack rat move in with a couple kids in tow. Found one in the glovebox. That was like maybe a month into ownership, never parked outside after that.
Some of it has to do with the 'auto' vent feature. It senses humidity and opens the outside air. With no filter, stuff will just drop right into your T4R.
Do the screen, its the only way to keep them out.
I finally did it, now I am wondering about the rear vents in the sides, under the bumper side cover. That looks like a determined rodent could make short work of...2 little rubber flaps.
Had a Mommy pack rat move in with a couple kids in tow. Found one in the glovebox. That was like maybe a month into ownership, never parked outside after that.
Some of it has to do with the 'auto' vent feature. It senses humidity and opens the outside air. With no filter, stuff will just drop right into your T4R.
Do the screen, its the only way to keep them out.
I finally did it, now I am wondering about the rear vents in the sides, under the bumper side cover. That looks like a determined rodent could make short work of...2 little rubber flaps.
Attachments
In case anyone needs a cabin air filter, I recommend these:
NEW 2006 2007 2008 2009 4runner CARBON Cabin Air Filter | eBay
They cheapened them slightly since the last one I bought (fewer pleats), but they are still way better than the Toyota filter that I could see right through.
NEW 2006 2007 2008 2009 4runner CARBON Cabin Air Filter | eBay
They cheapened them slightly since the last one I bought (fewer pleats), but they are still way better than the Toyota filter that I could see right through.
chris6152011
New member
I second dryer sheets. I check mine every 3 months or so. Don't want to be breating that mouse stuff in.
wadle5
New member
Although old, I did want to state that this wasn't just american cars. In fact my neighbor a master tech at Toyota said Tundras had the same issue. Live and learn I guess. I'm just assuming from a manufacturing standpoint the supplier of the wiring must have gotten a heck of a deal by using this recycled soy wiring. Unbeknownst to the actual vehicle manufacturer.
Not to be nit-picky, but aren't all Tundras made in the USA? Would that not make them an American car?
wadle5
New member
While true they are as Texan as Walker, I assumed by the statement he meant domestic brand. :doh:
