jdcuster

I can't imagine there is anything you can do. The filter box is just big enough to fit the filter. This video will show you how tight it is. I would say use an inspection mirror and pickup tool to fish anything out before turning the fan back on.

After I took my mouse infested filter out I turned the fan on and it sounded like a jet engine. I put an inspection mirror in there with a flashlight and found the issue. A-hole mouse #2 fell down into it when I was cleaning the first mouse and all the debris out. It must have been banging its head on every vane of the fan as it spun around. I used a flexible pickup tool to go in there and pull it out. All is well now. I'd love to figure out how exactly they're able to get into the cabin filter area from the engine compartment.

I haven't been able to find any insulation damage in the engine compartment yet - but I did find damage to items in my garage. I have traps set all over the garage, but this little bastard outsmarted them all apparently.

I pulled my cabin filter today to see I could find the nasty smell I was getting. Here is the filter and the little a-hole that caused the problem...

Yep. my truck is doing it too. Started at about 1,500 miles.