maple keys in air filter box

[Casper60]

I have a strange one. I am finding maple tree keys in my air filter box. There are enough keys to fill the air box. Must have some kind of animal getting in there at night and bringing his lunch with him. Anybody else have this problem. If so, How did you fix it? I put some fibreglass screening over the air inlet. Seems to have fixed it but I am concerned about the reduction of air into the air box and engine. Is there such a thing as 1/4" square chicken fencing? Thanks

[djkeev]

yes there is. you want hardware cloth which you can get in 1/8 & 1/4 inch openings. Home Depot should have it in the fencing aisle.Dave

[abyssvibeawd]

I had a mouse living in my Altima airbox, liked birdseed, didn't realize for awhile. Oil was black, changed and after a short time it would turn dark brown/black. Eventually the timing chain broke, destroyed engine, had to replace, I still blame the mice. I set and check traps in my garage, also frequently check airboxes in cars. I have also noticed mouse droppings on top of valve cover where they warm up, might want to check.

[Raven]

Here it's the chipmunks. They like to tear up the hood insulation for nesting. I found a pile of beech nuts on my intake manifold too. Rat traps and a diet of hot lead (.22 cal) should take care of them.

[NUBlackshirts]

A long, long time ago when I worked at Tire/Lube Express, we had a older pickup truck in for an oil change. We got it into the bay and I opened the hood. I thought I saw something move as soon as I got it open. Then the guy down in the pit started yelling about a couple of mice that jumped down on him from under the truck! Took us awhile to get both of the mice out of the pit.

[Casper60]

Thanks for the suggestion djkeev, Went to Home Depot and bought a roll of the vinyl type figuring it would bend easier. Then had an idea to go to Home Hardware and bought a foot of the metal 1/2" grid. Cut to shape and held it on with plastic ties. Thought maybe the squirrel or whatever can t chew through metal. Thanks again for you input. Every idea helps.

[Digger]

My fauther in law keeps moth balls in the box to keep them away