How to remove a rodent from the air system?
 

It definitely smells like something has died in my air system. I've done a lot of poking around and I just can't figure out how I might be able to get into the air system in order to see what is in there and do some cleaning.

Any walk throughs that can help me understand how to get into the air system without pulling too much a part?

I would take a look at the PET diagrams to figure out where to start looking.
You might be able to narrow it down to heat / ac / fresh vents using your nose.
It is a lot easier on the earlier cars!

The air system is a closed system. How would a rodent get in? Do you see droppings in the car? Car air systems usually get bacterial growth that is the source of the smell. They make an AC Disinfectant that sprays in to kill the bacteria. Look it up. People think it's a dead animal, but it's just bacteria growth.

You could have a drain that is either plugged or disconnected , once the condensate pools it can grow contaminants and smell pretty nasty !
Check from beneath car near fuel pump door and behind gas tank near bottom of fuse box..
Bert

I came back to mention a clogged ac drain but I see Bert is on the case . Lol.

I think Bert is on to something here!

Have you had problems with water leaks along the front windscreen? Hard to get to sound insulation can get soaked and even after drying give of a nasty smell.

I'll give the AC disinfectant a try, that seems pretty easy and definitely worth a shot before digging into anything further.

I just had the motor out for a rebuild, so everything should be pretty well cared for in the back of the car though I'll poke around a little to see what I can find. Great suggestion on the AC drain.

No leaks that I am aware of, and the car was a SoCal car before I brought it up to the Pacific Northwest (and haven't driven it in the rain).