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Warning to all Tundra owners! Rodent infestation in engine bay

Discussion in '3rd Gen Tundras (2022+)' started by Dieseldiagnostics, Jan 25, 2023.

  1. Jan 25, 2023 at 9:58 PM
    #1
    Dieseldiagnostics

    Dieseldiagnostics [OP] New Member

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    Just wanted to send out a warning to all Tundra owners, especially 22 and newer!

    I opened my hood today to add some windshield washer fluid, and to also perform a general quick check of all fluid levels. I felt sick when I saw mouse/ rat feces and pee all over the engine cover and other areas of the engine.

    Once I noticed those ominous signs of rodent damage I started digging a little more. I checked visible wiring and insulation. They definitely nibbled slightly on some wire loom and other areas like rubber hoses, but didn’t see anything major. Then I removed both engine air filters…

    The little bastards got in BOTH engine air intakes/ filter housings and caused serious damage to the plastic baffle and padding/ insulation material under it. The damage is so bad that I am ordering two brand new lower intake housings. This was not a good day. Unfortunately there is no way to fit the truck in our garage or I would definitely be parking it indoors. It sits out in the driveway. I sprayed peppermint oil all over the engine bay after finding this out. Hopefully no other serious damage is present but I’m going to inspect it further tomorrow. I’m also going to install metal screens in both new intakes. There is zero mitigation build into these from factory!! Just wanted to warn everyone and vent about this. It made me sick finding this today. I’ll attach more pics tomorrow. Also should mention both lower housings looked like this with tons of white material sandwiched between air filter and lower housings.

    ECFA94B8-8CA2-43A4-B184-CC304C37FC54.jpg
     
  2. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:07 PM
    #2
    topdec

    topdec New Member

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    Sorry to hear about your predicament, but why so specific about 3rd Gen Tundras?
     
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  3. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:15 PM
    #3
    Dieseldiagnostics

    Dieseldiagnostics [OP] New Member

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    Because there is zero mitigation of loose debris making it into the intakes past the air filter and down to the turbos/ intercooler. These twin turbo motors are definitely more susceptible to damage from debris entry. Some older models have screens built in. Also, 3rd gens have two separate filter housings and both of mine were destroyed. This makes it more expensive to repair.
     
    Ohannon7 likes this.
  4. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:17 PM
    #4
    RickyBobbysTundra

    RickyBobbysTundra New Member

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    This happened to me last summer. Heavy monsoon rains pushed the field mice into the engine bay of my poor 392 Challenger did around $1300 worth of damages, but insurance covered it. Sold it to Carvana shortly after.

    mavodq12iol91.jpg
     
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  5. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:23 PM
    #5
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    Really sorry to hear of this, but older models don't have screens to prevent any of this. Have you checked your cabin air filter to see if they breached that?
     
  6. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:29 PM
    #6
    Dieseldiagnostics

    Dieseldiagnostics [OP] New Member

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    2nd gen trucks have a secondary screen/ filter ABOVE the actual air filter. On 3rd gen trucks there is nothing after the air filter to prevent debris intrusion. This is a pic of a second gen intake and the screen above the filter is visible

    42F0C330-FDBB-4C1D-885D-3CA911C539C5.jpg
     
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  7. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:31 PM
    #7
    Dieseldiagnostics

    Dieseldiagnostics [OP] New Member

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    Wow, that is just insane!
     
  8. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:36 PM
    #8
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    That's just a charcoal element to reduce emissions and has nothing to do with anything you describe. The critters got in below that from the air intakes, not the top.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2023
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  9. Jan 25, 2023 at 10:50 PM
    #9
    Dieseldiagnostics

    Dieseldiagnostics [OP] New Member

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    I understand. I was just saying it’s at least some sort of barrier after the air filter that would prevent large debris from entering all the way into the engine if the filter were to become compromised
     
  10. Jan 25, 2023 at 11:04 PM
    #10
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    We have had big problems with rodent intrusion into the air box and our cabin filters for ages, seems like the next Gen isn't exempt. I see a custom screen(s) in your future. Good luck and let us all know how you make out.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2023
    Wallygator likes this.
  11. Jan 25, 2023 at 11:29 PM
    #11
    ArticTundra

    ArticTundra New Member

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    Unfortunately this can happen to really any vehicle, regardless of what it is. Them little critters are good at ruining days. Some things that worked for me: Rat poison (IF SAFE ie no dogs, children, etc around) on a location or two in or around the engine area. Then let it sit for a couple days. Sticky boards are also very effective as well.

    After they all die, leave your hood up when you're not using the truck for a while. The extra light tends to keep them away.

    Ultrasonic devices can sometimes work....

    I've been in your shoes and it SUCKS. Trust me, you got off lucky...for now. Wait till you can't get the smell of urine out from the cab and have to rip out ALL the interior, only to discover they got under the carpets and into the channels to use them as a bathroom....
     
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  12. Jan 26, 2023 at 12:20 AM
    #12
    bigjuice

    bigjuice Researching and collecting parts…

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    Had it on my 2015 ($750 worth of damage) so I try to do preventative methods on the 22.

    I’ve got some high scented Irish Spring duct taped in 2 places in the engine bay.
    I have a couple high scented dryer sheets in the glovebox
    I have high scented peppermint/rodent spry I generously apply to the engine back every couple of weeks also

    Good luck
     
    gj953 and RookieEP like this.
  13. Jan 26, 2023 at 2:40 AM
    #13
    TopTierToyo

    TopTierToyo New Member

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    Makes me wonder about the exposed wiring everywere on my 2022. I've never seen such poor shielding on even the cheapest cars.
     
  14. Jan 26, 2023 at 3:49 AM
    #14
    Fatone

    Fatone New Member

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    Been happening since the Model T I imagine and ever since. There is no vehicle immune to it.
     
  15. Jan 26, 2023 at 4:02 AM
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    blanchard7684

    blanchard7684 New Member

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    I helped rescue or more like resurrect a 1992 chevy HD flat bed truck abandoned in a field for years. This was about a year ago. Truck sat in field for many years.

    Mice all over it. I mean like a city of mice. Not one single wire or other item was chewed on other than the seat.

    My father in law has multiple vehicles and farm implements that spend their entire life in a field. All of them are manufactured prior to 1995.

    Somewhere along the line oem's started making things with materials that are highly attractive to rodents.
     
  16. Jan 26, 2023 at 4:05 AM
    #16
    Fatone

    Fatone New Member

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    They moved from petroleum to soybean or other more natural material for wiring insulation. I guess in the 80s? The wires themselves are now more vulnerable in all cars. But rodent damage was a thing before the wire change as well. The eating of the wiring does increase the bill for the damage a ton so that part is worse.
     
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  17. Jan 26, 2023 at 4:34 AM
    #17
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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  18. Jan 26, 2023 at 4:36 AM
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    Efreet6669

    Efreet6669 New Member

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    I travel for work a lot, if I’m gone for more than 2 weeks I spray mint oil around the engine compartment. Repels rodents.
     
  19. Jan 26, 2023 at 5:12 AM
    #19
    joescho

    joescho New Member

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    You would think the manufacturers would figure this out and come up with a better material so this doesn't happen. I'm surprised the insurance companies haven't bitched.
     
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  20. Jan 26, 2023 at 5:25 AM
    #20
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    A 2.5 gen owner nearly died not too far back because he didn't know they were living in his truck HVAC system. Dude was deathly ill in the hospital and basically had parasites consuming him. Don't take it lightly folks. The story is here somewhere and titled something like-my Tundra and the rodents who nearly killed me. Search it up, good reading material!
     
  21. Jan 26, 2023 at 5:33 AM
    #21
    nodak67

    nodak67 New Member

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    up here in ND, we just have to wait 6 months and the rodent problem is solved by mother nature with -25F outside temps (the tundra sits outside)
     
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  22. Jan 26, 2023 at 5:49 AM
    #22
    AWDDude

    AWDDude New Member

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    To be fair, the filter is the mitigation against debris getting into the engine. Even if there was a secondary screen/filter, they would have chewed that up too. Also the intercooler would have blocked the big stuff .
     
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  23. Jan 26, 2023 at 5:55 AM
    #23
    Jriedy85

    Jriedy85 New Member

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    I had a 4 wheeler the little bastards got into and chewed the wire harness up. Cost me $400 to fix. So then I built a $35,000 pole barn and had it spray foam sealed up. No more mice. lol.
     
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  24. Jan 26, 2023 at 6:02 AM
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    Double DC

    Double DC New Member

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    Perhaps I have been lucky with my Gen 1 as I've never had a rodent issue in almost 18 years of owning the truck. But it only took the bastards about 6 months to chew through the cabin filter in my '21 and enter the cab. No damage other than the cabin filter...from what I've found. Installed wire mesh to hopefully eliminate the cab entry points.
     
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  25. Jan 26, 2023 at 7:29 AM
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    Dieseldiagnostics

    Dieseldiagnostics [OP] New Member

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    I sprayed peppermint essential oil all over the engine bay. Now I can only hope that it helps keep them away from the tiny soy based insulated wires that run everywhere
     
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  26. Jan 26, 2023 at 7:39 AM
    #26
    eddiefromcali

    eddiefromcali New Member

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    Sounds more like a location problem. No issues for me in my part of California. Rodents are illegal here
     
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  27. May 4, 2023 at 5:01 PM
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    6thyota

    6thyota New Member

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    Thanks for the heads up . I will likely build a rodent proof screen ASAP
     
  28. May 4, 2023 at 5:22 PM
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    ARES35

    ARES35 New member for life

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    Squirrel made a soup kitchen in my airbox. Bastard even chewed the filter. Luckily no other signs outside the airbox. I've seen the little SOB before under vehicles I've got my eye on him lol

    IMG_20230418_155843.jpg
     
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  29. May 4, 2023 at 7:34 PM
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    Tom976

    Tom976 New Member

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    How long are the trucks sitting?? I mean you use it daily? Once a week?
     
  30. May 4, 2023 at 7:49 PM
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    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Best repellent to date. Seen both my cats eating mice today. One had a second helping. Yesterday my dog snagged a pocket gofer.

    IMG_8558.jpg
     
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