Can anyone tell me the best way to access the ducting between the cabin and the outside air? It seems that I must have had an unwanted interloper get trapped in the ducting and is starting to decompose. Fortunately, when I shut off the outside air, the smell mostly goes away, which is why I believe it is somewhere between the air intake and the plenum. Thanks.

 

I believe it pulls air in from the cowl, through the firewall, and then into the HVAC assembly where the cabin filter and blower are.

I would pull the filter first to see if the critter ended up there. And then look at the cowl for chew marks and a hole. If it got past the filter then pull the blower motor. After that it'll be dash removal time to gain access.

Chip H.

 

Winner Winner. Hardest part was digging out my shop vac so I could vacuum out the filter housing.
Thanks Chip.

 

I have had good luck ordering cabin filters from Amazon. Look for p/n 87139-YZZ08 and it should be in the $20 range. Any cheaper will be a knockoff and they don't fit.

I change mine every year after pollen season is over.

Chip H.

 

I have an Amazon subscription for the Denso filters and fortunately had one on hand.