Pest Infestation In My Engine Bay!

[Ingen]

Just put a remote start on there

3 or 4 midnight cranks should either help them get the picture or get lost, one way or the other You'll have to pressure wash anyway so why not! haha.

I can't believe I feel like I oughta say this, but I'm totally kidding. Don't grind up rats with your serpentine belt, it'll probably screw up your engine.

[verywisegnome]

I've had some rodent chew completely through my corvette's spark plug wires before. Thankfully nothing else was damaged and it was an easy fix.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by DaJoian

Normally in the garage; but just for the past 3 days have I parked outside since the garage needed some work...

you think rodents got in because you parked outside?

[Blue86]

that's fucked! I feel bad for you. I thought the bit of tree sap or bird shit I clean off mine every now and then was bad!

[Jayde]

Damn......


Now I need to check mine tomorrow!!!

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by ayau

you think rodents got in because you parked outside?

It is very likely, as my brother's MR2 (parked outside on the driveway) also has some sh1t in his engine bay as well.

We'll just have to wait until tomorrow to see if there is another pile of crap under my hood...

[roddy]

Keep the car inside if you can. You're lucky that you only have to do a bit of clean-up.

My rodent problem nearly ended with my car burning up. A few days after bringing The FR-S home, I went out to start the car, and stood beside it having a smoke while waiting for it to warm up. Half way through my smoke, I caught a strong whiff of gas. When I looked down, I was standing in a big puddle of gasoline. Long story short...a rodent had been chewing on a couple of the rubber fuel lines feeding the HPFP and it chose that moment to pop. What a mess! The paint on the intake cover was ruined, electrical tape peeling everywhere, hood blanket ruined, gas on the paint on the bumper cover and fenders...I just about had a tear. I had to cut out the bad sections, and bend up some 5/16" steel line replacements just to get it to the dealer. They replaced the lines under warranty, stating that it probably happened while the car was sitting in port for a couple of weeks during the rail strike.

Moth balls...vermin don't like the smell of 'em (we don't either, but they smell better that hot rat waste).

[cwb48]

Make sure to check the airbox. I've had several small rodents of some kind make nests inside of the airbox on both cars and motorcycles. You'll find a small pile of straw and grass in the corner. You should probably replace the filter after you find one of these nests.
I just evicted a large spider from my engine compartment yesterday.

[DaJo]

Our rat trap caught a rat outside the size of a standard cordless phone. This morning, before I went to work I popped the hood to check for rodent droppings again. Nothing! so it's safe to say the garage is okay for now... We setted up a trap inside the garage last night too, but got nothing this morning... Which should be a good sign.

It's nice out today so I will be checking the intake filter and pressure washing the engine bay.

Does anyone know if it's safe to use car wash soap in there?

[2manysubies]

Darn, somehow I lost my quick reply.. Recap: Other than going Mid-evil AKA Caddyshack on them, I store my cars with a product called "One Bite", get it from my son who works at a stable, it's commercial, I'm unsure if you can get it where you are. Place 2 2" blocks in trunk(protect material), 2 on floor mat and 2 on engine, works good, no carcasses, they die elsewhere. Spring time comes, remove blocks(partially chewed) good to go. This stuff doesn't attract them, you don't want to ring the dinner bell, but they're opportunistic feeders(Once, LOL). Hope that helps. Tis the season in the cold parts of the world!

R/Mac

[Rampage]

As odd as it sounds, some of the guys over on Spyderchat put mothballs or urinal cakes in or around their Mr2 Spyders when they store them for the winter. They say that mice, rats, squirrels and chipmunks hate the smell of them and will stay out of the cars when they are put around or in it. I typically drive my car every few weeks when the weather warms up and the roads are free of salt so I have yet to store the car long enough to have to try this method. I know you are not storing but maybe putting some of these in the garage will deter the little vermin.

[zaptorque]

This must be a northerner's thing, because never in my life have I had to worry about pests getting into my car.

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by Rampage

As odd as it sounds, some of the guys over on Spyderchat put mothballs or urinal cakes in or around their Mr2 Spyders when they store them for the winter. They say that mice, rats, squirrels and chipmunks hate the smell of them and will stay out of the cars when they are put around or in it. I typically drive my car every few weeks when the weather warms up and the roads are free of salt so I have yet to store the car long enough to have to try this method. I know you are not storing but maybe putting some of these in the garage will deter the little vermin.

I've heard about that. Maybe I should 3M tape some mothballs in the engine bay area to deter future infestations...

[jmaryt]

ohh my god! they shat on your engine!
must be obama mice!