MB Chassis, Melbourne Class C

TOS · 03-22-2020, 07:21 PM

Only had this Melbourne 24L since Sept. 2019 and discovered something new today.
Two times in about 30 min. today, a small bird flew away from the left side of the front grill. First time I thought, when I get a chance, need to check for blocking critters from getting behind the grill. Second time, I looked closer and found several slots (3-4) across grill large enough for a small bird, but too small for my hand to fit thru.
So, on the left side of front grill about headlight level is a large opening behind the grill (about 4 in. diameter) that you can't access from back of grill and to get your hand in there you'd have to remove the grill. Looking more closely, I discovered this is the air intake for the diesel engine. Now this could cause a problem when you hit the road, not knowing a birds nest is in the intake. She made a really good nest with about 3-4 cups of leaves and straw/grass in there.
I plan to remove the grill when I have time and place some 1/4 in. hardware cloth (wire) over the engine air intake opening.
Only bad news related to this was the 4 bird eggs that hit the concrete while cleaning out the nest.

Pfflyer · 03-22-2020, 10:01 PM

Before I built the garage I had the same issue. I was able to pull out what I thought was all of it before a trip but about 60 miles down the interstate the rest got sucked in to the filter lighting up the dash with a few warning lights. I got the rest out on the side of I75 by taking the air filter cover off. I think the nest was in the intake tube close to the top. I was able to get enough from the bottom of the tube to think I got it all.

TOS · 03-28-2020, 09:56 PM

My fix for the open air intake behind the grill, to prevent entry of critters, bird nest, etc.
Sorry, the pix flipped with the download...maybe you can figure out the view.

mt1314 · 03-31-2020, 03:50 PM

thanks for this info we found a nest started in our mercedes, did as this site said and fixed the problem. called a friend who had just purchased a mecredes and warned him.

TOS · 03-31-2020, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mt1314

thanks for this info we found a nest started in our mercedes, did as this site said and fixed the problem. called a friend who had just purchased a mecredes and warned him.

You're welcome, good you found it before hitting the road.
I hope this info will help others too.

You may also like: