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bajaleo 
Samba Member
Joined: March 21, 2009
Posts: 211
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
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 Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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I think my plan going forward is to fill that whole area with stainless steel scrubbies, as in cram as many in there as I can. Now's the time since my fridge is out.
Or what about this. Do I really need those holes? Is there any reason I can't fill them with body caulk? Maybe leave one open.
| Sodo wrote: |
| bajaleo wrote: |
| there is access |
If you can't block the rust-access holes then block those drain holes.
Kinda looks like peices of stainless-steel-scrubbie would stay in those holes. |
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Leo in San Juan Capistrano
1984 Wolfie Westy, Subaru EJ22 powered. |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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blackglasspirate
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Joined: June 24, 2006
Posts: 1612
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| Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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I just had my dash out to replace the heater core and blower motor and noticed two factory (?) holes that I didn't know existed. They are pretty small (1/2in in diameter), but maybe a small mouse could squeeze through? Even if they can't, it's a place for bugs to get in.
The holes are located directly above the radiator and lead into the ducting of the fresh air intake. I used a metal hole plug to close both of them.
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Steve M.
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Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6832
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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A mouse only needs a 1/4" opening to gain access. They probably will not fit out the same hole after they eat all your food!
A rust hole in the Fresh Air Intake.
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Sodo
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Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9609
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2021 11:11 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
| A mouse only needs a 1/4" opening to gain access. |
Its “a 1/4” wide slot” not 1/4” diameter hole.
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Steve M.
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Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6832
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 5:38 am Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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| Sodo wrote: |
| Steve M. wrote: |
| A mouse only needs a 1/4" opening to gain access. |
Its “a 1/4” wide slot” not 1/4” diameter hole. |
Doesn't make a difference to me. It is blocked.
According to "Dr. Bobby Corrigan, noted rodentologist and award-winning pest management consultant, states that if you can put a #2 pencil into a hole, a mouse would be able to get through it as well. "
A "rodentologist" ? Never heard that one before. What award was he given, a lump of cheese?
I don't quite believe a #2 pencil, but I guess if you had a baby mouse it's a possibility, but it's against the union rules to test them so young.
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blackglasspirate
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Joined: June 24, 2006
Posts: 1612
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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Well the two holes I just mentioned are a good bit larger than a #2 pencil, so if that rodentologist can be trusted then its a legitimate concern. I've never heard of anyone mentioning those holes before so just another spot to check if you've got some young mice running around your van.
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'87 Vanagon GL Westfalia
IG: @holidayatsee
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Steve M.
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Joined: July 30, 2013
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Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 3:54 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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| blackglasspirate wrote: |
| Well the two holes I just mentioned are a good bit larger than a #2 pencil, so if that rodentologist can be trusted then its a legitimate concern. I've never heard of anyone mentioning those holes before so just another spot to check if you've got some young mice running around your van. |
Looking at your picture of it there are signs of a washer being in place at the hole. The darker circle around the hole says to me it was used for something at one time, but what?
I just looked at the pictures from when I rebuilt my heater box and I have the same holes, but no tell tail sign that there was a washer in place. (sorry for the mouse pun!)
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brickster
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Joined: January 05, 2004
Posts: 512
Location: CO, USA
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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| Could it just be a drain? |
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Abscate
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Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22665
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2021 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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| Sodo wrote: |
| Steve M. wrote: |
| A mouse only needs a 1/4" opening to gain access. |
Its “a 1/4” wide slot” not 1/4” diameter hole. |
A Norway rat will wait for a 6mm hole
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blackglasspirate
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Joined: June 24, 2006
Posts: 1612
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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| brickster wrote: |
| Could it just be a drain? |
You're probably right. That seems like the most logical explanation. As mentioned, it does look like there may have been something there at one point but what? My dash had never been disassembled before by the looks of it so if there had been something there then it would have been removed from the outside.
Either way, it's plugged now, but if they were there for draining then I guess I'll have a soggy dash next thunderstorm I drive through.
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Sodo
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Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9609
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:24 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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| blackglasspirate wrote: |
| brickster wrote: |
| Could it just be a drain? |
You're probably right. That seems like the most logical explanation. Either way, it's plugged now, but if they were there for draining then I guess I'll have a soggy dash next thunderstorm I drive through. |
I wouldn’t seal it.....
Can plug it such that baby mice can’t get in but water or humid air can get out.
A screw & washers & nut.
Or Stainless steer scrubbie.
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61Scout
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Steve M.
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Joined: July 30, 2013
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Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 8:34 am Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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I use ultrasonic units when I store my Syncro. minimum of 4, front rear and both sides.
1 aimed up at the engine bay.
The guy next to my unit is pulling out mice traps every other day and I haven't seen a mouse in my workshop at all. I think I chased them all over to his place! 😁
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AndyBees
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Joined: January 31, 2008
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Location: Southeast Kentucky
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2021 8:53 am Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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Chiming in my experience with mice in my Tin-top Vanagons with no rust issues.
And, I did not read all the posts in this Thread.
Just my experience and we do have a lot of mice because our house is basically in the forest.
Two places I found they were getting in.
1. Up front behind the top grill into the fresh air system
2. In back at scoop vents. Mice can enter thru the top of the hole.
Once I plugged those two areas, I've had no mice in either of my Vans (84 & 89). Thorough cleaning, including removing the dash, eliminated the mouse pee odor. I keep mouse traps baited with cheese and/or peanut butter in both Vans. I have not caught a mouse since plugging those holes several years ago.
Now, someone tell me how those pesky critters get in my 95 Blazer and 2011 VW Tiguan ..........
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WillSharp
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 10:37 am Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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rubber boot around the steering column if bumped out of place creates a pretty big opening.
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?Waldo?
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Joined: February 22, 2006
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 11:31 am Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
| "Dr. Bobby Corrigan, noted rodentologist and award-winning pest management consultant, states that if you can put a #2 pencil into a hole, a mouse would be able to get through it as well." |
'#2' is a description of the hardness of the 'lead' not an indication of the size of the pencil. A #2 pencil can be any size. Just get one of these pencils, and then you only need to be concerned about really large holes. |
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bobbyblack
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Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4351
Location: United States, Iowa
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 2:36 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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Heheh, too funny!!
Also "a mouse" ... uhhhh, what kind of mouse? I've seen some really small mice that are full grown as well as really big ones. I am pretty sure there are different species of rodents that are classified as mice that might be as small as a shrew, or as large as a rat. I like shrews, they eat centipedes! I just don't think I have any centipedes in my buses.
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Sodo
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Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9609
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 10:52 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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| ?Waldo? wrote: |
| Steve M. wrote: |
| "Dr. Bobby Corrigan, noted rodentologist and award-winning pest management consultant, states that if you can put a #2 pencil into a hole, a mouse would be able to get through it as well." |
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Agreed the statement has a scent of sloppiness that I would not expect from a genuine Dr..
Hmmmm mouse stuffs his head thru.
Then one arm, then shoulder.
Then other arm & shoulder.
Doesn’t sound feasible.
Perhaps a baby mouse.
Maybe it refers to pushing the mouse thru with hydraulic pressure (like toothpaste).
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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E1
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Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6553
Location: Westfalia, Earth
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| Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2023 1:29 pm Post subject: Re: PLUGGING THE HOLES to keep mice out of a Vanagon (mouse) |
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Thanks for the focused thread, Sodo, and to all contributors, it came up #1 on Google for “mouse entry points Vanagon.”
We’ve gotten a couple mice again, and think Merian!s comment of “mice jumping in” may well be responsible for most invasions — despite our “Keep Out” signs. 
BUT... in rechecking all my barriers, I came across one, to me, MAJOR entry point!
1. Remove upper radiator grille
2. Remove the four screws holding the driver’s side headlamp in, holding the lamp in when removing fourth screw
3. Pull headlamp a few inches out, unplug connector, notate reassembly orientation and set headlamp aside. This is a great time to clean the connections as neither headlamp will work if corroded
4. Unscrew the assembly holding the antenna atop the body, but leave it attached by a rotation or two
5. Note BIG ENOUGH lower antenna hole that is just above and to the right of where headlamp sits!
6. All our van’s rubber and grommets are in great shape, so I do not know if a grommet should be there
7. With antenna nut still mostly loosened, clean area if necessary and liberally apply silicone all around the lower antenna hole and especially around the backside. Push sealer beyond the hole and apply more
8. Tighten antenna nut fully
9. After silicone is tack-free, apply more all around to ensure sealing and longevity, plug in and screw down headlamps, put on grille
10. Lie around in the complete belief you’ll never have another mouse. Or not.
EDIT:
Adding that there were several droppings below this entry point — on a van having nearly none anywhere else
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