Not everyone has a rodent problem, but I live in a wooded natural area therefore I do have a problem. A mouse entered the wide-open vent air intake, chewed through the filter and built a nest in the blower. I discovered the problem when I turned on the A/C and heard the noise and nest material exited the vents. Upon removing the filter I discovered the blower packed with nest material. I spent a great deal of time picking out the nest with an improvised pick and inspection mirror through the filter opening - not easy! Luckily the nest appeared to be in the construction stage and not yet used. Upon removing the cowl panel I discovered the open vent of about 20+ sq-inches also packed with nest material.
To prevent the problem I purchased 1/4" opening metal hardware cloth and fabricated and installed a cover for the top of the new $26 filter. Because the vent opening was bulbous and too difficult to form and secure the metal cloth I had to fabricate a grille using 14 ga. copper wire hand-soldered to mold over the grille. Not the best solution but the best under the circumstances.
I believe and hope Mazda addresses this problem and installs a grille over the opening to prevent critter entry. If a mouse dies in the vent system it could ruin the car. Mouse feces and contaminated nest material blowing out a vent hitting someone in the face can't be too healthful either.
Not everyone has a rodent problem, but I live in a wooded natural area therefore I do have a problem. A mouse entered the wide-open vent air intake, chewed through the filter and built a nest in the blower. I discovered the problem when I turned on the A/C and heard the noise and nest material exited the vents. Upon removing the filter I discovered the blower packed with nest material. I spent a great deal of time picking out the nest with an improvised pick and inspection mirror through the filter opening - not easy! Luckily the nest appeared to be in the construction stage and not yet used. Upon removing the cowl panel I discovered the open vent of about 20+ sq-inches also packed with nest material.
To prevent the problem I purchased 1/4" opening metal hardware cloth and fabricated and installed a cover for the top of the new $26 filter. Because the vent opening was bulbous and too difficult to form and secure the metal cloth I had to fabricate a grille using 14 ga. copper wire hand-soldered to mold over the grille. Not the best solution but the best under the circumstances.
I believe and hope Mazda addresses this problem and installs a grille over the opening to prevent critter entry. If a mouse dies in the vent system it could ruin the car. Mouse feces and contaminated nest material blowing out a vent hitting someone in the face can't be too healthful either.
- Louis C., Biddeford, ME, US