Rat in the engine compartment...lots of damage $$$

[silvercruiser]

My 2009 Tacoma overheated on the way to work today. There was a large coolant leak. I was planning on brining it in for service because the lights in my center console went out the other day. I checked all the fuses and couldn't locate the problem.

Now the problem has been located. A rat has been enjoying my electrical harness and coolant line. Problem is none of this will covered under warranty....agggghhhhhh.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any advice on dealing with the dealer?

thanks in advance,
David...

 

[Hazzard]

Have you checked to see if it is covered under your car insurance?

 

[Regcabguy]

Comprehensive.

Contact your insurance co. It should be covered under comprehensive. Lots of diesel owners who've gotten bad diesel have successfully been reimbursed by their insurers under the comprehensive section. Your issue should be covered.

 

[silvercruiser]

Insurance is on it

Thanks everyone. Insurance is on it. Right now dealer told me expect the bill to be over $1500.

As someone else suggested now it's time to get a cat...good preventitive maintenace.

 

[mcm4090]

I work in a dealer and I see this all the time. At least once a month.
Most of the owners that have rodent damage keep there car in a garage and the also keep there pets food in the garage.

 

[flywgn]

In the absence of a garage or a killer-cat, try leaving your hood open a bit. Naturally, you'll want to prevent any strong wind from sending your bonnet back into your windscreen, but having the open space prevents our Snake River Plain packrats from making nests in the engine compartment. This practice also seems to keep the rats from making a smorgasbord out of your wiring.

Allen R

 

[Rallyroo]

Not too long ago, my neighbor's Mercedes was attacked by rats. The rats must of chewed up a lot of wires and hoses. My neighbor was unwilling to disclose the cost of damage, but did disclose that the repair bill was in the four digits. Well, that doesn't help....that could be $1000-9999. In any case, the damage to his Mercedes was soooo bad that he took the loss, traded what's left of his Mercedes, and got a brand new one. :Wow1:

 

[silvercruiser]

I work in a dealer and I see this all the time. At least once a month.
Most of the owners that have rodent damage keep there car in a garage and the also keep there pets food in the garage.

Now that I've had this happen I hear about all the other people that have had this same issue. Never knew it was so common (kinda like when I got crabs but that's a different story)

FYI, I keep the Tacoma parked outside and drive it daily. I wonder how long a rat can hang out in there? Has it been commuting with me to work or can it pull off that much damage in 1 night? Must have been a hungry lil bastard.

cheers,
David...

 

[NorCalBorn]

*WEAR GLOVES AND A HAZ-MAT MASK!! Hanta-virus happens!!


Pine-Sol wash every so often, or securely place a piece of cheese cloth with moth balls in it somewhere in the edge of the fender and side apron. They hate the smell. :victory:

Also replace your air cabin filter.

 

[Overland Hadley]

In the absence of a garage or a killer-cat, try leaving your hood open a bit. Naturally, you'll want to prevent any strong wind from sending your bonnet back into your windscreen, but having the open space prevents our Snake River Plain packrats from making nests in the engine compartment. This practice also seems to keep the rats from making a smorgasbord out of your wiring.

Allen R

Good idea.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I keep a Loaded Rat Trap in my garage.

The meal of the day is Skippy's chunky peanut butter! ...Yum!



.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Pine-Sol wash every so often, or securely place a piece of cheese cloth with moth balls in it somewhere in the edge of the fender and side apron. They hate the smell.

Does Pine-Sol keep mice away? I hate the smell of moth balls.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I just remembered that one of my Toyota mechanics told me that some of his clients use dryer sheets to keep the rats out. He saw I used a dryer sheet as a filter over my front diff extended breather hose, and he said Perfect!

So I just searched it.

http://www.hagerty.com/lifestyle/hobby_article.aspx?id=61110

Several other tips at that site.




.

 

[Skim]

David,

What is it with you and overheated engines ?

Yes, the dry sheets trick works.

I bet the rat has been riding with you to and from work, better make sure the rat is out before the new harness goes in. I've seen them living in fenders, up in dashes, and inside cowls. The rats are attracted to the plastic materials in the wire harness insulation for some reason. Also the warmth of the engine compartment makes a nice home.

 

[silvercruiser]

David,

What is it with you and overheated engines ?

I bet the rat has been riding with you to and from work, better make sure the rat is out before the new harness goes in. I've seen them living in fenders, up in dashes, and inside cowls. The rats are attracted to the plastic materials in the wire harness insulation for some reason. Also the warmth of the engine compartment makes a nice home.

Seriously....I'm freaking cursed. Tacoma only has 10k miles on it...agghhhhhh

I'm hoping the steam from the motor cooked the lil bastard. I'll double check the truck. Maybe drive a long washboard road out in the desert this weekend and shake him out.