critters in the engine bay

[rh71]

So my dealer says this is somewhat a common occurence as the temperature changes colder. I had *something* rip up the sound insulation on the bottom of my hood and stuffed in various places in the engine bay. Easily fixed, but apparently it also chewed up a couple wires next to the O2 sensor all the way at the bottom (where it gets in). Anyone with a similar story to share? I'm just worried it will be a frequent/repeat occurence as we never found what it was. I don't have a garage here now.

[DBC]

Yes!! Mice chewd through windscreen washer pipe on drivers wheel arch and a nibble on a wire that was wraped with it. Had to take the wheel arch liner down to connect the new pipe. Also needed some new foam. £27 in total, self fixed, goodness knows what the dealer would have charged.

Poison now down for them!!!!!

[cravin]

In one of my old Jeeps, I had squirrels chew through my wiring harness. When the mechanic lifted out the engine, nuts and shells fell out like crazy. When the weather gets cold, they crawl into the engine for heat. My neighbor one time told me that the fuzzy rats hate mint, so I have mint extract that I spray on my driveway and haven't seen a squirrel in years.

[motordavid]

My CEO's former Honda CR-V had a pack of mice camped in the HVAC tubes. Got them out, pulled out some of the nesting material, but the smell would have gagged a maggot. Never got rid of that, though I masked it pretty well when we traded it in.

Common for mice to sneak into my cars, even when garaged, too, and in summer.

I put a few moth balls on a tray in the engine compartment and interior, in which ever car we leave for the season...seems to work. I also plug up the tail pipes.

We have mice up the wazoo at the Mtn joint; it just comes with the territory and all one can do in a non-suburban situ, is to hold them at bay.

They will chew through nearly anything except steel plate, in my experience...
GL, mD

[rh71]

well I just found out my fuel line is ruptured / leaking - they say it doesn't look like a bite mark, but still not covered under warranty. It will cost $1381 to repair and most of that is labor - they gotta drop the fuel tank to get to it. I know the dealer charges a higher rate, but if I go through insurance, I may as well have them do it, correct? Is there a reason I don't want to go through insurance (I can't find my deductible amount right now, but I'm pretty sure it's < $500)? I figure I have it for reasons like this. Not sure if my rate will go up next term. Is there any possibility something like this is a part fault? I know the line is rubber on the outside, but isn't it like a copper line?

[4.6is Ryder]

This should be a comprehensive claim just like a windshield......won't hurt your rate at all.......Phil

[rh71]

^ turns out my insurance won't cover animal activity... but after threatening to take my car back without fixing it there - I was going to bring it to an indy, the SA talked to their manager who agreed to do it under warranty. I took a look at the dmg and gas was squirting out of the line pretty good. Didn't seem like a chew mark, but a big pinhole. Not sure how it would otherwise be damaged by debris as it's protected by the underbody shield you have to unscrew. So faulty line or animal.