I store my ATV in the shed. Mice decided to make a home inside the ATV air box. Went to pop the seat off yesterday and I found a mouse staring back at me, droppings all over the place. Inspected the air box and sure enough, a big ball of string and some broken acorns on the bottom of the box. I checked the drain plug on the drive belt cover housing and I found droppings in there too. Also noticed funky smell once the ATV heated up. I suspect there is probably a nest too inside the drive belt housing and thats where the smell is coming from. Has anyone ever had this happen before and what's the best way to prevent it from happening again? I was thinking about putting some type of mesh screens over the air intakes, but not sure if this is a good idea.

It looks like there are three intakes - one for the air box, one for the belt housing and another one that looks like it goes down into the rear of the engine. I am concerned about the last one, because I am not quite sure where it leads to and if there is a nest/debris in there, how do I get it out and could any damage have been done if anything got sucked in. As I said, it looks like it goes into the rear of the engine, but I am not sure, as I am new to the ATV scene (almost 1 year).

What's the best way to go about accessing/removing the belt cover housing? Looks like I need to undo the screws going into the floor board and then remove the plastic floor boards, in order to be able to gain access to the screws on the belt housing. How do I get rid of that awful smell, will it go away once I clean up the belt housing?

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks

 

the snorkle tube that looks like it leads to the bottom of the motor is your clutch cover air intake tube.It brings air in to the cover behind the drive clutch. Remove srews in bottom of floor board and the push pins that hold it on to the fenders and remove floor board.That will gain you acess to bolts in clutch cover.also check your belt to see if they chewed on it and make sure your out let tube from the clutch cover isnt plugged up.

 

You should watch this video on the Polaris ATV belt air circulation system, YouTube - Polaris ATV Maintenance & Repair Tips : Polaris ATV Belt Drive Maintenance Tips

 

And go to the SPCA and get some cats, and train them to live in the barn. Mice hate cats!.

 

Unfortunately if you go to many dog/cat pounds nowadays and tell them you want a cat for the barn they won't give or sell you one. If they do they're going to make you sign "adoption" papers which gives the place the right to come get the animal whenever they wish, trespass on your proper to see how you're keeping it etc. it's best to avoid animal shelters like the plague. If you want a cat get it from the classified ads, craiglslist, the bulletin board at the local grocery store laundromat etc.

If you don't want to go the cat route this stuff works extremely well and a bucket will last you for ages:

JT Eaton Bait Blocks - Peanut Butter Flavor - FarmTek

 

Put a 5 gallon bucket with some cheese nips in it out in the shed with access to get to it from the top. They'll jump in for them and can't get out. For a little added fun fill it about 1/3 with water and put the food on a small pice of styrofoam. Then they'll go for a nice swim(and realize they can't-blub, blub, blub). If you don't have pets or other critters to harm Tomkat bait works great too. Comes on a nail and you can attach them around the outside of your shed. They'll nibble on that, go to sleep, and never wake up to terrorize your ride!

 

So the belt housing cover has both an air intake snorkel as well as an exhaust snorkel? If so, that would explain the third snorkel tube that I see tucked up next to the gas tank area.

 

Use the atv more if it's used daily the mice won't have time to set up there residence , it's when they sit for long periods that one has problems .

 

I have always used Bounce dryer sheets in my Travel trailer and Snowmobile and have had pretty good success.

 

I used a 5-gallon bucket before with a pop can(or beer can will work too) across the top with a electrical wire or rope through the center of it so it is across the top of the pail and can roll.........Then put peanut butter on the can with a stick up the side of the pail so the mice can reach the can...........They will roll off into the water ..........This trap helps if your away from the home of garage for long periods of time....(keeps working)...........Caper....