I have a question on the air intake of my 2004 Dakota 3.7l.
I have been going up to my lake property for the last 3 weekends and today I went for an oil change to my surprise when they checked my air filter, a red squirrel had built a nest in the cavity area below the air filter. He had chewed a bit of the bottom of the air filter only about 1/4 of the way through. No material was able to pass through the filter and the squirrel was nowhere to be seen.
What I have done now is taken the air intake off and fastened a 1/2" screen over the complete air intake and reinstalled it.
My question is will this have any effect on the air intake? I was planning on putting window screen over it but I thought it might plug with frost etc. in the winter.
You know I kind of thought I was getting better gas mileage on the last round trip ( 500 km ) . Maybe I should have left all the grass etc that the squirrel has put in ther.
Any comments on the screen causing a problem down the road that I should be aware of ?

 

Nope...If you used the galv welded hardware cloth, its very common in farm country. Keeps the critters out...mostly.

 

Thanks for you reply, yes that is what I used. It may not keep a mouse out but sure will keep the squirrels out

 

Try a Moth ball or two in the air cleaner box below thw filter......Rodents dont like them, and at very worst, they will only rattle around without doing any harm.