Big bird nest in engine intake

[Trappfarmer]

I have the Beast (XL40E) parked in the driveway. Just cast a glance as I walked by the engine intake and found a huge nest just inside the louvers. I used my extra long hemostats to pick it apart. I still have to vacuum out the debris. I’m going to fashion a screen from rat wire.
Question:
Does this happen to all diesel pushers? Does this happen to many people. This is a very inviting hole.

The bottom of the generator 10kww has about a four inch hole where things like to crawl into. It’s now covered with rat wire held in place wit 4 self tapping screws.
Just sayin’ “keep critters out.”

[RKNOLA]

We use a magnetic sheet (bought from Lowes but Hobby Lobby also sells them). Painted it black to match the coach. Cut out corners where the screws are so it lays flat. Works great but DON'T forget to remove it when you start your engine..... (ask me how I know).

[Iwannacamp]

I have no MH.

I am in a major kitchen remodel.. 2-3 weeks ago I put an 8 FT step ladder on the porch as I had used it a couple of times. I noticed the other day a starting bird nest formation. Showed the DW and said... well I guess I can't move it for now. Short story is that it doesn't have to set forever to go "back to nature".

[ernest917]

Easy fix....

Go to Lowe’s and buy some gutter screen..... measure size of louvered opening..... cut screen to size.... paint screen black..... fashion a piece of wire with a small hook on one end..... slip screen into louvered opening and “hook” screen with piece of wire fashioned earlier and pull screen tightly up against inside of louvers and bend wire over outside edge of louver which will hold screen in place which will allow you to slip blk slip ties through louvers and through screen .... tighten zip ties around louvre and TA DA.... you now have a permanent fix for that issue....

Did mine 5 yrs ago.... simply change zip ties as they age..

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

I have no MH.

I am in a major kitchen remodel.. 2-3 weeks ago I put an 8 FT step ladder on the porch as I had used it a couple of times. I noticed the other day a starting bird nest formation. Showed the DW and said... well I guess I can't move it for now. Short story is that it doesn't have to set forever to go "back to nature".

In Florida, we keep our Jeep parked under the carport. The third year, a dove decided to set up housekeeping on the passenger side windshield wiper. Remove the twigs, dove comes back and starts building a nest on the same windshield wiper. It became a dual as to who would win. Finally, I put a cover over the area and, reluctantly, the dove moved on. In prior years, the dove built a nest in the neighbors rain gutter. It, too, ignored the eviction process.

[feedfold]

I pulled the grill and install 1/4" square hardware wire over the inside of grill. Removed the 4 screws on corners and with utility knife carefully cut the paint between the grill and body so I could pull out without damaging paint on body. Cut wire screen to fit back of grill and wrap/fold around the 4 sides also. Then I used sticky foil tape(HVAC Dept) to wrap smoothly around sides of grill to hold screen in place. Slide grill back in place after placing a 1/4" bead of putty on back side of grille flange.
P.S. check the plastic intake housing while you are at it because mine had some gaps between it and the body side wall that some water was getting down behind the inside wall.

[Trappfarmer]

This looks like it will work. Hate to cut like that though. The Clear coat finish from the factory is seamless. Couldn’t this have been done during production?
I don’t have aspirations of becoming an RV specialist. I just want to enjoy the fruits of my labors.

[formerFR]

I'm not sure why a screen is not part of these 'intakes' in the first place, almost makes no sense that a coach can be built without someone 'realizing' that this is just an invite for animals of all sorts, especially when the very reason for the intake is for fresh air...duhh!

[The2002Wanderer]

As a private pilot I learned to ALWAYS check the engine compartment before starting up. It is very inviting for birds to build a nest in this warm compartment and they can be incredibly fast doing this - not impossible to have a nest built "over night". In addition to the fire hazard the chance of serious overheating and engine damage makes the effort worthwhile.