Vent hole clean out from a rainy day

[badali]

As you all know many of us had some water problems from the heavy rain.  Here are some pictures as I dig in.  A large mouse condo was on the drivers side a long with a burial ground for the non survivors.  I have to replace the flap on the drivers side also.  To turn off the heater core it looks like you turn the valve to the left counter clockwise.  It is attached to the drivers flap with a short ball joint like the linkage on the throttle.

Ed and I were looking at the valve before I left so I hope he reads this.

[Jordan]

Thanks for posting Brad, I am just about to start taking mine apart to replace or unplug the drains.  Is that a mouse corpse I see in the last picture?
Marcus

[badali]

Yes it is a skeleton.  There were several in the pile of fluff.  It is cleaned up now.  Don't forget to clean as far as you can reach in both sides.

[Jordan]

Brad, when you removed the fresh air flap, did you just pull out the little rod from the bearing bushing or did you have to pull off the bushing?  I don't want to force it and end up breaking something.  Did you end up having to replace your drains?  Thanks.
Marcus

[badali]

I carefully pulled the cable from the bearing.  My drains are in good condition.  I just checked to see if they were clear by running a wire through them.  Mine were blocked by the pile of fluff.  I have a new flap coming today for the divers side.  Reaching the bolt looks like a challenge from under the dash...  I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Jordan]

Well, everything was plugged it seems, not only the drains but the little holes that drain the recess at the wiper arm pivot.  Everything is now clear.  The passenger side was really plugged with crud and some rust, took a lot of prodding with a wire to clear it.  Both sides are now clear after testing with water.  The drains under the dash appeared original (see picture) based on the clamps that were still in place.  I did not replace as they were not cracked and still pliable.  Should be no more wet feet. 

[badali]

My vents look the same as yours inside. After I confirm the cabin filter is installed correctly I will put the res back together. The flap on the drivers side is a pane in the but to install but I finally got it in.

[badali]

Finished.  No more mouse nest and the heater flap is repaired.

[rmmchl]

Badali-Your gaskets look new around the heater flaps. Are they? If they are new, did they glue on or attach on with friction grip?---------------I remember taking a coat hanger and cleaning out my vent holes. I also flushed them with water to clean them out. They were clogged with dirt. It came out under the car onto the garage floor. I cleaned them out real good- and repaired the rubber gasket that comes out of the lower firewall. I repaired it with black silicone. They wanted something crazy like $100.00 for a new rubber grommet that comes out of the lower firewall.. I repaired it with silicone and it did just fine-------looks new again. These are the litlle things that will make a difference. If water comes into the air vent, it is supposed to have a clear way out, or it could pool in the air box and cause rust and corrosion. Luckily, my air vent box was totally clean. I put in a new filter, oiled the cable , and put the chrome and cover back on. I forgot to mention that I did put on a new flap gasket for the large rectangular flap that opens and closes over the filter. It was tricky to glue on.

[badali]

The gasket on the black flap is new.  It is not glued.  It seems to be a pressed fit.  There was no rust in the area.  All the drain holes cleaned out fine.  Just full of mouse fluff in the are in the picture.  The black plastic flap was over $100 from MB classic center.  Mine was beyond repair.

[alfa750f]

To prevent the next infestation, try installing household window insect screening behind the chrome trim.  This is about a 20 minute job, is almost invisible, and is quite effective. 

JD

[badali]

My garage is very safe.  The problem was from the storage of the prior owner.  So far I have not had a problem in my garage and I keep glue traps along the walls.

[Leester]

My car is not yet on the road but I discovered that the windshield wiper transmission was completely frozen up. Just to get it our required removing a lot of the guts behind the dash. Although I didn't find any nesting material or rodent remains, there were many, many nut shells throughout the region and under the fresh air filter. I am pretty sure that the car sat idle for an extended period of time before I got it, but some raskals made good use of the space! Putting it back together now.