Dog food in the Air Filter?

Question

I just previously bought a car not too long ago. (As is Car lot) Anyway, the car doesn't seem to have good horsepower, So I was checking things like the spark plugs, and the Air Filter. When I opened the Air filter, at the bottom near the openings was a huge pile of dog food right under the filter. I dug it all out, but I do not know if it could really harm the car. Anything it really can damage even though It is not in there anymore? Maybe take it to a car repair shop? Or think I am fine?

Answer 1

as long as it didn't get into the throttle body your ok. WHO put it there?

Answer 2

One word--MICE-- The little rodents have been using your air cleaner to store their food. i would check all your wiring out and make sure nothing has been chewed. The little mice can fit in really tight spaces so the reason the vehicle has a running problem could be mice related. If the check engine light is on it should be a clue where they have been munching on your wiring. Hope this helps and good luck

Answer 3

as long as it didnt get past the air filter into the engine it wouldnt hurt anything. probably got there by rats or other rodents.

Answer 4

yea it is just mice no big it happens if i came across it i would probally pull off the carb/tbi (4-6 bolts some disconnecting hoses about 10 min) and carefully with a shop vac the intake plate(the flat part right below the carb) you will be surprised how long stuff will sit in there and you may still have some food that is resting that should be removed.

If the food is in the air box(on a cfi engine) you got lucky they cant touch your engine due to the throttle body(cfi) staying closed while the engine is off.

Remove the box and  clean out the food and look for any damage to the box and hose and run it.

oh yea if you have food in the air cleaner go ahead and look down by the passenger side fresh air vent area and or the spare tire

goodluck

Answer 5

Its organic, not metallic, so if any did pass into your engine it would just burn up. Don't waste your money, the engine will be fine. Chipmunks and squirrels like that area for storage.

Answer 6

Nope, that's rodents.  I see stuff like that all the time in my shop, especially if the car sat for a while unused.  The worst was the mouse that fell into the washer fluid reservoir and whose rotting carcass was sucked into the washer motor.  When we blew compressed air into the lines to clear them out tufts of fur blew out of the washer nozzles on the hood.

Ew.

Answer 7

what you have is evidence of mice. they love to forage for food then hide it in the strangest places. if you get it all out, and find the hole that they used to get in, and patch it if they chewed their way in. you should be ok. mice do like to chew on wires on occasion. take a quick look around the engine for any signs of damage like chewed insulation. if you can find any, you might think about getting to a shop to have it repaired. if you dont see any thing, it is a roll of the dice, you could be ok, or you could get stuck in traffic with a car that will not start or a car that ignites by itself in the same manner, or all by itself with no one around.  

Answer 8

if you got it all out and the car is running you will be fine, apparently some mice found a home at one time or another.