[Ang]

I decided to check the filters on my 2012 and 2015. The 2012 had some little bits of black foam in the filter. No clue where it could be coming from, but I'll replace the filter. My 2015, ended up being full of insulation from the car and more black foam, so that's obivously mice, and I'm sure it was nice on the other car too. How does the HVAC blower area behind the glove box connect to outside? I need to make sure that all of this is cleaned out.

 

[a1smith]

There will be an air inlet somewhere on the passenger side under the engine cowl cover. The air inlet is always designed in such a way to prevent water ingress.

 

[Ang]

There will be an air inlet somewhere on the passenger side under the engine cowl cover. The air inlet is always designed in such a way to prevent water ingress.

So if I remove the cowl behind the wipers, is this something that I can fully get to without dash removal?

 

[a1smith]

So if I remove the cowl behind the wipers, is this something that I can fully get to without dash removal?

I don't know the exact location, etc on the Accord. This is something I've worked on in other cars.

I would imagine you're going to be able to get to the air inlet. However, it will be covered (and likely elevated) to prevent water ingress. I don't know if the cover is removable. Hopefully there is enough room for you to be able to get something in the duct to clean it out - maybe a small tube that you can attach to the end of a shop vac hose.

You might be able to get most/all of it out from the inside. Similarly, you can use a tube on end of shop vac hose to reach up into that area and vacuum it out. You'll probably want to put a piece of cardboard on top of the fan's impeller so that junk falling down won't get into the fan and past it into ducts.

 

[Ang]

I don't know the exact location, etc on the Accord. This is something I've worked on in other cars.

I would imagine you're going to be able to get to the air inlet. However, it will be covered (and likely elevated) to prevent water ingress. I don't know if the cover is removable. Hopefully there is enough room for you to be able to get something in the duct to clean it out - maybe a small tube that you can attach to the end of a shop vac hose.

You might be able to get most/all of it out from the inside. Similarly, you can use a tube on end of shop vac hose to reach up into that area and vacuum it out. You'll probably want to put a piece of cardboard on top of the fan's impeller so that junk falling down won't get into the fan and past it into ducts.

Yes, that's exactly what I did. I put some cardboard there to protect it and I use the vacuum to remove a thick layer. There appears to be more on top of that thick layer that I removed so I'm going to have to try to get that out and get a camera in there to see if I need to do anything else. Not only did they pull a ton of insulation from who knows where, but they also chew on a lot of the black I assume sound deadening foam that's inside of there.

 

[mtts60]

So if I remove the cowl behind the wipers, is this something that I can fully get to without dash removal?

Yes, I think so.

Look for openings in the cowl of 3/4" or bigger- that's probably where they're getting in.

1/4" hardware cloth will keep them out.

 

[kdxyardsale]

Once you get it all cleaned out, I have fought this with ground squirrels in the country, put a few mothballs in a ziploc bag, poke a few small holes in it and hang it on a bolt on the firewall in the engine compartment. The smell keeps them from living there. I have not tried these type of products but some people swear by them. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/bonide-mouse-magic-scent-packs-12-pack-866

 

[WiiMaster]

Quite common. I have seen people insert some kind of mesh at the cowl opening to prevent it.

 

[jackpine]

In the 9th and 10th gen Accords, when you remove the cowl cover, you'll see several holes in the metal compartment underneath. These are drain holes so water doesn't build up, but each of them is an entry point for mice., and they go from there to the compartment above the cabin filter. I installed Hardware Cloth (1/4" wire screen) over each of the holes and held it in place with silicone caulk. This allows water to drain, but prevents mouse entry. I suspect the 8th gen cars use this design too.

- Jack

 

[Ang]

Yes, I think so.

Look for openings in the cowl of 3/4" or bigger- that's probably where they're getting in.

1/4" hardware cloth will keep them out.

Honda designing everything amazing as they do, I was able to clean it from the inside out, but at the same time its very easy for mice to get in. the opening from the inside goes up to the cowl, across to the other side of the car and then there's mesh where air gets sucked in. so mice are somehow getting around the cowl and then walking right in and damaging everything. luckily they didn't try to go through the filter.

Quite common. I have seen people insert some kind of mesh at the cowl opening to prevent it.

the opening is a 1/4" plastic mesh

 

[jackpine]

The holes in the metal floor in the compartment UNDER the cowl mesh are big enough for mice to climb in from underneath. You have to block those with hardware cloth. You have to take the plastic cowl off to see and get to them.

- Jack

 

[Ang]

The holes in the metal floor in the compartment UNDER the cowl mesh are big enough for mice to climb in from underneath. You have to block those with hardware cloth. You have to take the plastic cowl off to see and get to them.

- Jack

Where are these located? They got into the HVAC from outside and were stopped by the air filter from getting into the interior. Honda designs it where the system goes straight out to under the wipers.

 

[jackpine]

Where are these located? They got into the HVAC from outside and were stopped by the air filter from getting into the interior. Honda designs it where the system goes straight out to under the wipers.

Ang - I told you where they were in that post! You have a black plastic cowl cover (that's vented to let air in) right in front of the windshield and wipers. That has to come off, and it's easy to do this. UNDER that cover is a compartment that leads directly into the upper part of the air filter. Since the top of that compartment is open to the elements, Honda allowed water to drain from the compartment by leaving holes at the bottom of the compartment. There are several of these holes and they are ALL big enough for mice to get through, from underneath the car.

You have to block these holes, but in a way that still allows water to drain. Use hardware cloth and 1/4" will keep mice out, but allow water to drain. You can also place hardware cloth over the opening from that compartment into the cabin air filter which I did too. But, to keep mice out of the compartment, you MUST block the drain holes!

- Jack

 

[dave1957!]

is the cowl easy to remove? is there a video somewhere?

 

[jackpine]

Yes, the cowl is VERY easy to remove. I think it is held on by 4 plastic trim fasteners. You don't need a video - just look at it!

- Jack

 

[Ang]

is the cowl easy to remove? is there a video somewhere?

I'm sure it's just a bunch of clips or screws, I haven't removed it.