Getting the Mouse out of the Fox

[83gt351w]

I knew I'd run into this issue at some point after 20 years of storage. So I pulled the dash to inspect the wiring, and yanked the heater box as well. What I found was a mouse nest so large the fan would no longer turn. After vacuuming everything out, I couldn't get rid of the smell. So, a complete overhaul was in store. Enjoy the pictures.

[4eyedfoxdriver]

Nice. I know that smell well, but my heater box was no where near that full. lol...

[84StangSVT]

I HATE MICE! Thankfully I have not had the pleasure of that one yet in my Mustangs.

Looks like before you threw in the towel, you decided to throw everything at it including the kitchen sink. Mama must be out of town.......

[JTurbo]

I had to do that with my 82 GT - not fun work....

[Matt J]

I had the same thing happen to mine...twice. The first time, it was when I first bought the car and it had been sitting for about 5 years. I cleaned it out and the little buggers got back in. Well, a different group of them. After cleaning it out the second time, I blocked up the vent hole in the cowl with some 1/4" screen. I cut it so I could bend it around the intake and secured it tightly with zip ties. At least if they got back into the cowl they couldn't make their way inside the car or heater box. They never got back inside the car after that!

[83gt351w]

Got her all cleaned and smelling pretty. I picked up everything from Lowe's in the AC section, except the pad to rebuild the foam on one of the flaps, that came from an RC shop. It's a vibration pad for servos and fuel tanks.

[E2ZZGLX]

I HATE MICE! Thankfully I have not had the pleasure of that one yet in my Mustangs...

You got lucky Brock...knowing where your cars been...

[STANGMAN116]

You got lucky Brock...knowing where your cars been...

Your telling me!

[plumkrazy]

Did you use just soap and water to clean the air boxes?



Snap traps outside of cars and drier sheets inside. Has worked for me so far. Fingers crossed.

[84StangSVT]

You got lucky Brock...knowing where your cars been...

I know right Skip? I was presently surprised to have not seen any evidence of mice ever being in it.
Of course, I think mice probably would have done less destruction to this car than some hack and whack PO. It was awfully nice of Fidel to keep the mice.

I got lucky with my vert also. That car sat outside for a decade or more in Mississippi and also no evidence of mice either. I should buy a lottery ticket.

Did you use just soap and water to clean the air boxes?
Snap traps outside of cars and drier sheets inside. Has worked for me so far. Fingers crossed.

I found dryer sheets in mine in places I would have never thought to look. Hey if it works then I don't mind the scavenger hunt.

[sowaxeman]

I see Mouse Bait in that heater box. Looks like they took it back to the nest to feed others....assuming that is where they died? Yay fun

This is why I always turn my AC onto Max before I shut the car off and store it for the winter...closing off that cabin vent. But either way....keeping them out of the space and away from the car itself is key. I have found over the last 10+ years that drier sheets do the trick. LOTS of drier sheets, including along the lower edge of the garage door. I have yet to catch a mouse in my garage traps in 10 years using the drier sheets.

[HurricaneJesus]

For some reason I thought this was gonna be about removing a SBC from a foxbody.

[cb650]

That was my thought too. I found 10 dead mice in mine. They even got in the headliner.

[mustangxtreme]

I have found over the last 10+ years that drier sheets do the trick.

Drier sheets damn near kill me. Heavy fragrances kick my allergies into overdrive.

[grabbergreen84]

I've read that a box of baking soda in the car will repel them.

[Basin Motorsports]

What is the foam over the grille (I assume the floor outlet?) doing?

[84StangSVT]

What is the foam over the grille (I assume the floor outlet?) doing?

That should be the recirculation vent. The foam seals off the cabin area so it pulls 100% outside air when not in recirc mode.

[83gt351w]

[QUOTE=plumkrazy;1837691]Did you use just soap and water to clean the air boxes?



I poured them a nice hot bubble bath with dawn dish soap, scrubbed them to death, then once they were dry, I followed it up with bleach. It smells brand spanking new now.

[83GTJIM]

I have had no trouble with mice...

[Supersonic G.T.350]

Drier sheets, who'd have thunk it? I wonder what it is that keeps the critters at bay?

[84StangSVT]

Except the pad to rebuild the foam on one of the flaps, that came from an RC shop. It's a vibration pad for servos and fuel tanks.

I bet that latex foam would be perfect to use for reattaching and sealing the side view mirrors back on my car. I may have to make a run to HobbyTown today and see if they have it.

[sowaxeman]

Drier sheets, who'd have thunk it? I wonder what it is that keeps the critters at bay?

I know...its crazy. I heard about it years ago and it has worked like a charm for me ever since.