Mice under the hood?
09-09-08, 11:52 AM
#1
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Mice under the hood?
Yesterday I popped the hood to pour in some window washer fluid, since my rear washer was not getting any juice, when I noticed that 2 of the engine covers (plastic insulated ones) looked chewed on. I lifted the cover over the power steering fluid reservoir on the passenger side and discovered a whole bunch of leaves, twigs and shredded newspaper! After cleaning it all out, I noticed that several wires and the rear washer hose looked gnawed on!
Not knowing what the wires were for and being concerned, I took the GX into service this AM. They confirmed that the wires & hose were chewed on by some type of rodent, which probably made a nest in there. I couldn't believe it since the GX is garaged, I don't park near any woods and not for any duration longer than 1 day. I also park in the middle of my employer's lot 5 days a week! The tech also stated that he's seen this before and that the plastic engine covers contain some sort of milk product in the materials used to make them. Strange.
The cost to repair was $300! So fellow GX'ers beware, please check under your hoods (or get a cat)!
Not knowing what the wires were for and being concerned, I took the GX into service this AM. They confirmed that the wires & hose were chewed on by some type of rodent, which probably made a nest in there. I couldn't believe it since the GX is garaged, I don't park near any woods and not for any duration longer than 1 day. I also park in the middle of my employer's lot 5 days a week! The tech also stated that he's seen this before and that the plastic engine covers contain some sort of milk product in the materials used to make them. Strange.
The cost to repair was $300! So fellow GX'ers beware, please check under your hoods (or get a cat)!
09-09-08, 03:06 PM
#2
Lead Lap
sorry to hear about your misfortune 
but be glad it was only $300. Not sure why they chose your car since it's driven so much but unless you can ask them.... Anyhow, this is normally only an issue w/ cars that are stored. I store my summer toy all winter as do many others and have heard horror stories of mice chewing the main wiring harness to the tune of $10K for replacement 
but be glad it was only $300. Not sure why they chose your car since it's driven so much but unless you can ask them.... Anyhow, this is normally only an issue w/ cars that are stored. I store my summer toy all winter as do many others and have heard horror stories of mice chewing the main wiring harness to the tune of $10K for replacement
09-10-08, 11:40 AM
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Luckily for me, the mice only chewed a section of the wiring that could be replaced. Otherwise, you're right, it could've been much more expensive.
I'm going to make it a point to check under my hood at least 1x per month.
I'm going to make it a point to check under my hood at least 1x per month.
09-10-08, 05:25 PM
#5
I've experienced this problem before on other cars - thankfully not my GX!
Mice can easily set up housekeeping overnight - the longer it goes before you find them, the more they chew up. So checking once a month is way to long between checks (just my opinion).
Come to think of it, I'd better go check my GX......
When I lived in Wyoming and didn't have a garage, a rabbit set up housekeeping in the engine compartment of the car I had then - would crawl up and sleep on top of the starter motor, to get the warmth from the engine block overnight. Rabbits have really big teeth and can chew the insulation off a battery cable in no time at all.....
Mice can easily set up housekeeping overnight - the longer it goes before you find them, the more they chew up. So checking once a month is way to long between checks (just my opinion).
Come to think of it, I'd better go check my GX......
When I lived in Wyoming and didn't have a garage, a rabbit set up housekeeping in the engine compartment of the car I had then - would crawl up and sleep on top of the starter motor, to get the warmth from the engine block overnight. Rabbits have really big teeth and can chew the insulation off a battery cable in no time at all.....
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