Advice for finding/removing dead critter

scnewman1 · 09-12-2020, 10:52 AM

Good Afternoon,

I have a 1982 911SC Targa with a critter problem! We took the car out for a drive last week and shortly after reaching temperature started to smell something burning. Having previously experienced an engine fire (another story for another time), I knew this was different--there is clearly a critter somewhere that gets really hot in the car.

We took the car home and, when I pulled into the garage, I popped open the engine bay. When I did, I saw smoke coming up from the left front "corner" of the engine compartment (closest to the drivers side firewall).

This week I got the floor jack and jack stands out. I jacked the car up, looked everywhere I could think, removed what I felt comfortable removing, and found nothing. After a fruitless two-hour search, I decided to fire her up and see what happens when I got her back up to temperature--the same thing, the smell of burning critter and smoke from the left front corner of the engine bay.

I suspect there is something in the heat exchanger. Any thoughts on addressing this issue?

Thanks for any advice.

john walker's workshop · 09-12-2020, 11:40 AM

Remove the exchanger maybe? Could be on top also. Remove the fan assembly to have a look.

creaturecat · 09-12-2020, 12:42 PM

big shop vac?
on the tailpipe?

LIRS6 · LIRS6's Garage

Same thing happened to me, it was mice that had nested in my heat exchangers. Went for a drive, smelled what seemed like bad cooking - stopped at my local wrencher, he enlightened me. Flushed out the HE’s with air but it did not eradicate the smell - but new SSI’s did! 😀

As I live in NE and tuck my car away each winter, I make sure to stuff my exhaust, close the heater boxes, and put plenty of offensive soap or mothballs in the area.

Jason

scnewman1 · 09-12-2020, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIRS6

Same thing happened to me, it was mice that had nested in my heat exchangers. Went for a drive, smelled what seemed like bad cooking - stopped at my local wrencher, he enlightened me. Flushed out the HE’s with air but it did not eradicate the smell - but new SSI’s did! 😀

As I live in NE and tuck my car away each winter, I make sure to stuff my exhaust, close the heater boxes, and put plenty of offensive soap or mothballs in the area.

Jason

Thanks Jason, I kind of thought that may be the ultimate solution.

scnewman1 · 09-12-2020, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Remove the exchanger maybe? Could be on top also. Remove the fan assembly to have a look.

I checked on top, both visually and with my hands, no joy. Looks like the exchanger will need to come down.

creaturecat · 09-12-2020, 03:45 PM

shop vac didn't work?
it musta' got in there somehow. there must be a pathway.

keith28 · keith28's Garage

Under the fan shroud seems to be a favorite nesting location.On top of cylinders.Provides for good drainage of urine(which is very corrosive) so they don’t need to go far from their cozy nest.
Try removing a piece of duct to the right of the fan and look inside.If it’s not obvious keep looking.

bdisco · 09-13-2020, 05:56 AM

http://https://www.amazon.com/customerpicks/Explore-borescopes-for-iPhones/377551e14a92f79ca1fc

For looking in hard to get spots ^

http://www.carbag.com

For winter storage ^

scnewman1 · 09-14-2020, 03:43 PM

Well following the advice from those on this thread, I did a few things. I've looked under the shroud with no results. But I also purchased a small bore scope as recommended. I found his/her nest:

The nest is in the far right corner of the engine compartment (passenger side). I also scoped the air vents and hoses. I smell a strong odor out of one of the air/breather hoses, the one that crosses over the top of the fan, connecting to the right bottom of the engine compartment. I scoped it but can't see anything.

More to follow as the adventure continues!

Mike Andrew · 09-15-2020, 05:57 AM

Good luck finding any more of these intrusive vermin and preventing future incursions. Certainly a frustrating experience. Maybe get a half dozen feral cats?
I've found 2 - both in the A/C system. One was mummified in the bottom of the smuggler's box and the other in the opening to the passenger footwell from the smuggler's box. My supposition is that they are able to climb up the drain hose from below. I now plug it every Fall when I store the car.
I hate mice.