tim5055

2011 RX450h

We have been getting a strange odor and I decided to change the cabin air filter today. I pulled it out and the top was covered with seeds and what looked like fluffy insulation. I looked to the back of the housing that the filter sits in and there is a hold chewed in the back wall (kind of like what would be the firewall?).

So, what is back there? Looking at the "custom" hole I have it looks like more insulation. Is insulation supposed to be there or am I looking at the back side of a nest?

I hat to think what it will cost to pull this part of the dash and make repairs.......

vlad_a

If it is expensive, you can claim it under comprehensive coverage. I had a mouse or a chipmunk make a nest on top of the engine in the old 4Runner I had. Luckily, all I had to do was clear it off.
One chipmunk built a nest in the gas grill on the back patio. Talk about a gas camera. No chipmunks were hurt during the clean-up process.

If you take a picture of the area, it will be helpful to figure out what is out of order.

tim5055

Thanks

I'll try to get a picture when i get home tonight.

tim5055

Well, as you look into the housing and up a little there is what appears to be a black flap of some sort. A good part of it is missing and a small portion of the housing.

Behind the flap appears to be packed insulation. Did Lexus pack it there or did my visitor?

Any ideas?

Thanks for any help or ideas.

Cruiter

That looks like Lexus insulation that he was probably making his nest with.

tim5055

looking at the exploded parts diagram at Sewell, it appears that the white plastic is the back wall of the blower housing. I would guess that the blower housing is up against the inside of the firewall, which would be covered with that insulation. Tomorrow I will test this theory by trying to push a wire through the insulation. I'm guessing I will hit the firewall.

Now, if my assumption is correct, the mouse worked from inside the blower housing. How did he get there? With the A/C set to fresh air, where is the inlet? Could a mouse enter that way?

I'm still confused as to why there is that black flap on the rear of the blower housing.

Also, assuming I'm correct, the damage may be limited to the blower housing, which is part of the blower assembly, about $585 from Sewell

Cruiter

Tim, I just came across this post today http://www.blackstone-labs.com/Newsl...m_medium=email and thought you'd enjoy reading it.

tim5055

Thanks! It's funny, I got that from Blackstone (I use them for analysis on the oil in my F250) but didn't open it. Thankfully, my damage does not appear as bad as his.

I was correct, the insulation in the hole in my photo seems to be sound proofing and there is a hard wall behind it. This seems to confirm that the mouse was working from the inside, apparently trying to get out.

With a new cabin air filter (had to pick up a Purolator at the local auto parts store) all odors are gone. I forgot to say before, the original filter was really disgusting.

I pulled the plastic covers off the top of the engine and other than a couple of assorted seeds here and there no nests or damage noted under the hood.

The A/C blows cold, the heat blows warm and no unusual smells or noises. At this point I may just have a hole in the back of my blower housing.