[gwiths]

Team - what is this vent flap for and why on earth would you cut out a section of it?!

Just bought this LCI F31, had to get the battery changed and found all of this - maybe a rodent issue? (In the UK so probably mice maybe?)

But why would you gut out this section of the vent and do I need to replace it?

[toxik]

that’s definitely a rat that made a home there. most cars have that vent in rear bumper, without it you risk blowing out your glass when you close the trunk from pressure build up.

[gwiths]

Why would you cut out a section of the vent flap?? It looks like it has been cut with a Dremel or similar.

Do I need to replace the flap? The plastic cover on the outside has been cut off too!!
Would it let water... and rats in then?!

[toxik]

Originally Posted by gwiths

Why would you cut out a section of the vent flap?? It looks like it has been cut with a Dremel or similar.

Do I need to replace the flap? The plastic cover on the outside has been cut off too!!
Would it let water... and rats in then?!

your guess is as good as mine, maybe they knew there was a rodent in there but couldn’t find it so they tried to cut a hole for him to get out… who knows really. water is unlikely to get in but i wouldn’t hesitate for a second to replace that part and clean up the nest that was made. put some peppermint scents or sprays there just to make sure there’s no rodent living there anymore.

are you sure it was done by a dremel or a human even? the bottom of that hole looks very chewed to me. rats can chew through almost anything.

[gwiths]

Thank you, I will pop a mouse trap in there after I replace the flap!!

Gives a new meaning to hearing squeaking from the car...!!

[Aussiefalcon]

Those vents also allow through flow of air from cabin and prevent exhaust gasses coming back in. Hunt down that rear end squeak!

[Shirazkhan]

You can see on the foam thats the job of a rat.Check that they did not chew any wires there.Change the flap or else more rats will find the rat hotel.

[gwiths]

Anyone know the part number for this?
It's a RHD LCI F31, this is the right hand side of the car?

Many thanks!!

[Tommo3]

Just put your VIN number in realoem.com and you will find the part number.

[Runner340]

When my wife bought her new Subaru in 2010 a mouse entered in that same vent within 3 months of ownership. My wife said her car smelled of death which lead to my investigation. A mouse made a home in the spare tire well and had a liter with a few babies still in the nest. I removed the nest but the smell lingered. I took out all the upholstery from the trunk and back seats searching for the source only to find a few of the baby mice died into a gelatinous mess in the lower back seat cushion foam. To say the least that new car smell was short lived. Took a year to flush out the smells of death and deodorizers. Because at the time we didn't have a garage and living in the sticks I put metal wire mesh over those entry points on both sides which arrested the issue.

[gwiths]

That is probably the most horrifying story I have ever heard...
Will be extra paranoid now!!

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Runner340

… I put metal wire mesh over those entry points on both sides which arrested the issue.

Ditto this…while reading thru the thread…I was going to suggest modifying the vent with wire…instead of replacing. If you replace it with another vent made of plastic…the mouse/rat/varmint may return and redo the chew-thru work again. If you modify it by using metal-mesh…you don’t interrupt the air flow that allows the doors/windows/trunk to close without bouncing open…as well as prevent the little critter from gaining entrance.

Good luck. Here’s a link to what an X3 owner did with the same problem: https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/f...vents.1446642/

[gwiths]

Thanks people, off to the hardware store and will get peppermint and moth balls!!