Rats!

[monkey6]

So last week my wife's Jeep had an error pop up saying to service the auto stop start system. It seemed to have much less power when driving it. The check engine light came on, have a code for the turbo bypass valve and one for the evap system. I found a chewed wire and foam piece in the engine bay. Pulled the engine cover and found a small rat nest as well as more chewed up wires.

So I filed a comprehensive claim with the insurance company. Not sure if they'll replace the whole wiring harness or not, but at least I'll only have to pay $250 and she'll have a rental while it's getting fixed.

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[00Sebby]

Wow! How long was it parked? The reason I ask is I now live in the city and park in our parking garage. I have seen some rats (or small dogs with long naked tails) running around near the river behind the garage.

 

[Mikeoso]

We had problems with rodents doing in the wiring on my wife's Mountaineer, as well as clogging the heat intakes. We put in the repellant bags, mostly mint, and that pretty well got rid of the issue.

 

[Loki Kai]

Happened to me several years ago with a brand new Dodge 1500 the FIRST night we owned it. Wouldn't start the next morning. Dealer picked it up and replaced the wiring harness NO CHARGE! Was a different time.

 

[monkey6]

Wow! How long was it parked? The reason I ask is I now live in the city and park in our parking garage. I have seen some rats (or small dogs with long naked tails) running around near the river behind the garage.

It was never parked without moving for more than a weekend in our driveway.

 

[melendez69]

Maybe they were just playing hide-and.....squeak?

I'll go away now.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Looks more like squirrels to me. You sure it was rats?

 

[OilBurnerHoldOut]

Looks more like squirrels to me. You sure it was rats?

Squirrels are just rats with fluffy tails, and better PR.

 

[HoundDude]

We had problems with rodents doing in the wiring on my wife's Mountaineer, as well as clogging the heat intakes. We put in the repellant bags, mostly mint, and that pretty well got rid of the issue.

do you remember what kind of repellant bag you used... was it something like one of these? I have a 4Runner that was displaced from my garage when I bought a JLU and there are a lot of squirrels around here, thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Grandpa-Guss...t+for+car+engines+mint&qid=1574607092&sr=8-13

https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Cab-Bo...nt+for+car+engines+mint&qid=1574606934&sr=8-6

 

[Mikeoso]

do you remember what kind of repellant bag you used... was it something like one of these? I have a 4Runner that was displaced from my garage when I bought a JLU and there are a lot of squirrels around here, thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Grandpa-Guss...t+for+car+engines+mint&qid=1574607092&sr=8-13

https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Cab-Bo...nt+for+car+engines+mint&qid=1574606934&sr=8-6

The one I used was the Victor Scent-Away.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Squirrels are just rats with fluffy tails, and better PR.

Lol. I’ve eaten both. Trust me, there’s a difference. (Nutria, not garden variety rat).

 

[Dkretden]

OP.......

HOLY MOLY! I have heard of this before but never seen it..... wow!

 

[OilBurnerHoldOut]

I've had pet rats. Nutria, I've never seen in person.
The meat will be different because their diet is different.

 

[Jmonroe]

Those little suckers can be quite destructive. Had one chew through the airlines in our motorhome, I had been remiss in renewing my repellants.

I've been putting vehicles into long term storage for decades. If I need protection somewhere where the smell could be detected by passengers I'll use the Fresh Cab, otherwise a cup of mothballs tied into a nylon "footy". 20 years of storing the Camaro 6 months of the year, no damage problems to date.

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