Rat damage to cars | Protection, solutions & advice

zerocritical · 23rd February 2009, 07:53

Hmm.. But I am even worried to drive the car now..

Would it be ok if I change the coolent pipe and drive it down to the service station? Or should I call the service guy to my place and get it inspected before driving it down?

goldsun · 23rd February 2009, 08:55

Was the car remained parked for a long time?

It did happened to my Alto few years back, but the damage was not this much. I had to replace the complete wiring. In my Apartment, where cars are parked on the ground floor, I see a lots of rats running across here and there as I go for a morning walk in the early mornings. I am worried that this could happen to me again. Is there a way out for this rat menace?

1self · 23rd February 2009, 08:58

Get the car checked from a GOOD car electrician...then take it to a good A.S.S. & get the insulation done. Do you eat or have dropped eatables in the car? If so STOP. Also, put some tobacco in a pouch under the hood (safe place where it won't scatter every time you drive your car). that should prevent the rodent coming in again. There are other threads also addressing this. Look those up.

kreddy · 23rd February 2009, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldsun

Was the car remained parked for a long time?

It did happened to my Alto few years back, but the damage was not this much. I had to replace the complete wiring. In my Apartment, where cars are parked on the ground floor, I see a lots of rats running across here and there as I go for a morning walk in the early mornings. I am worried that this could happen to me again. Is there a way out for this rat menace?

This happened in my Xeta earlier. They gnawed some wires and windshield water spray pipe. Not much damage, was changed free during service.

Buy some loose tobacco available for Rs.2 a packet. Whenever you park your car overnight leave 2 or 3 open pouches on the engine, battery or wherever .

Never leave any food items especially sweets in the car. If they enter into cabin you will suffer much more damage.

rranjith_kum · 23rd February 2009, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1self

\Also, put some tobacco in a pouch under the hood (safe place where it won't scatter every time you drive your car).

I never knew tobacco could stop rats !! I used Mortein Rat killer cakes some time ago

VJ_MAVRICK · 23rd February 2009, 09:51

Ofcourse Tobacco Pouches do stop the rat menace and I can vouch for it too as the little fellas did quite some damage to the wiring under my Alto's hood. The pouches work absolutely fine as they ward the little fellas and it works.

Check the thread below

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...-car-rats.html

sukiwa · 23rd February 2009, 09:52

With so many exposed wires, it looks like rat was at play for long time or there were too many of them.
Better to replace entire wiring harness instead of replacing damaged wires.
And, first take steps to prevent further damage by rodents before replacing wires in the car. Was any other car similarly damaged in parking slots closer to yours?

goandude · 23rd February 2009, 10:25

THats one heck of a lot of damage for just a few days. Probbly gnawing away for long. Did have the same trouble with plastic tubes of my omni (in mumbai) and Matiz (in Bangy) but for no reason they stopped after causing a little damage. But yes it can be very critical at times. Can cause a short circuit and Fire. You must get it checked by the MAruti ***. ASAP. probably hurt the pocket too. pl keep us posted.

shabahmad · 23rd February 2009, 10:37

The very same thing happened with me also; by looking at the pics it seems that the damage is very less. They have bitten the rubber and insulation only.

In WagonR they have completely broken the wiring near fuses and AC went kaput, also washer and also it bitten wire near the spark plug completely breaking one wire. Car refused to start.

Taken to MASS and they had taken full half day to rewire and tape it. Then i have asked them to tape the complete wire set in the engine. Cost 350 Rs for rewiring. Complete replacement of wiring is not recommended to me. Then also Rat has spoiled A/C wiring once more.

Only Solution: Put rat kill inside the hood Rs 5, It consist of 5 tablets put 2 tabs at one side near the battery and similarly near washer pipe. Keep the rat kill daily till rat die. Also get the metal brush from hardware shop and keep it near the battery. That is the place where rats enjoy the luxury of sauna in car.

Tobacco doesnt worked in scaring rats away but it has left its smell in A/C went, and that troubled me while switching AC.

Also change position of my parking daily.

tsk1979 · 23rd February 2009, 11:06

Note from mod: Threads merged, please use search function before starting new threads

zerocritical · 23rd February 2009, 12:06

Thanks for the suggestions. All the electricals are working fine except the back light of speedo. Still will get everything checked.

I went to A.S.S. today but they do not have the stock of the radiator to coolent tank hose. He told me the only place I can get that is from JC road near urvashi theater. Will go there in evening and try my luck.

The nearest MASS near my place is BIMAL and after reading about BIMAL on the forum I dont want to take it to them. Any suggestions as to where can i take my car to. I stay in whitefield area. I'd not prefer to go far as i am not sure about the damages caused and I dont want to drive it for long without getting it fixed.

frankmehta · 23rd February 2009, 13:18

i'd suggest a good electrician + maruti a.s.s inspection + a good rodent pesticide sprayed in the boot. there must be some way to prevent those pesky animals from entering. i'd say, get them out totally, and try shutting the most obvious points of their entry with a mesh grille. by most obvious i mean, those that CAN be sealed. do not worry man, the wiring can be replaced. you should be happy there was no short circuit. besides that, id recommend disconnecting the battery while the car is not being used.

lohithrao · 23rd February 2009, 17:32

Mortein Rat Kill is the solution, i makesure i keep couple of small pieces on a regular basis. inside the hood and that has worked.

I did try tobbaco a month back, quiet surprisingly have not found any rats foot prints or bits under the hood so far...

zerocritical · 23rd February 2009, 20:29

Had gone to MASS today.. was shocked to see the damage done.
As I guessed earlier, they gave me all sorts of reason to get the complete wiring changed.

Estimate?
A WHOOPING 25-30k. Just for the wiring. this estimate can increase if some more parts are found to be damaged.

For time being, replaced 3 Pipes, so called 2 heater hoses and break pressure hose. Coolent hose was not in stock.

Thad E Ginathom · 23rd February 2009, 21:52

Quote:

A WHOOPING 25-30k. Just for the wiring.

Oh good grief! Insurance? Are you going to claim?

23rd February 2009, 07:53	#196
zerocritical BANNED Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 302 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Hmm.. But I am even worried to drive the car now.. Would it be ok if I change the coolent pipe and drive it down to the service station? Or should I call the service guy to my place and get it inspected before driving it down?
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 08:55	#197
goldsun BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 230 Thanked: 48 Times	Was the car remained parked for a long time? It did happened to my Alto few years back, but the damage was not this much. I had to replace the complete wiring. In my Apartment, where cars are parked on the ground floor, I see a lots of rats running across here and there as I go for a morning walk in the early mornings. I am worried that this could happen to me again. Is there a way out for this rat menace?
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 08:58	#198
1self BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 629 Thanked: 330 Times View My Garage	Get the car checked from a GOOD car electrician...then take it to a good A.S.S. & get the insulation done. Do you eat or have dropped eatables in the car? If so STOP. Also, put some tobacco in a pouch under the hood (safe place where it won't scatter every time you drive your car). that should prevent the rodent coming in again. There are other threads also addressing this. Look those up.
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 09:51	#201
VJ_MAVRICK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,239 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Ofcourse Tobacco Pouches do stop the rat menace and I can vouch for it too as the little fellas did quite some damage to the wiring under my Alto's hood. The pouches work absolutely fine as they ward the little fellas and it works. Check the thread below http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...-car-rats.html
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 09:52	#202
sukiwa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: pune Posts: 2,378 Thanked: 2,562 Times	With so many exposed wires, it looks like rat was at play for long time or there were too many of them. Better to replace entire wiring harness instead of replacing damaged wires. And, first take steps to prevent further damage by rodents before replacing wires in the car. Was any other car similarly damaged in parking slots closer to yours?
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 10:25	#203
goandude Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mysuru Posts: 1,763 Thanked: 1,283 Times	THats one heck of a lot of damage for just a few days. Probbly gnawing away for long. Did have the same trouble with plastic tubes of my omni (in mumbai) and Matiz (in Bangy) but for no reason they stopped after causing a little damage. But yes it can be very critical at times. Can cause a short circuit and Fire. You must get it checked by the MAruti ***. ASAP. probably hurt the pocket too. pl keep us posted.
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 10:37	#204
shabahmad BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 270 Thanked: 21 Times	Same Pinch The very same thing happened with me also; by looking at the pics it seems that the damage is very less. They have bitten the rubber and insulation only. In WagonR they have completely broken the wiring near fuses and AC went kaput, also washer and also it bitten wire near the spark plug completely breaking one wire. Car refused to start. Taken to MASS and they had taken full half day to rewire and tape it. Then i have asked them to tape the complete wire set in the engine. Cost 350 Rs for rewiring. Complete replacement of wiring is not recommended to me. Then also Rat has spoiled A/C wiring once more. Only Solution: Put rat kill inside the hood Rs 5, It consist of 5 tablets put 2 tabs at one side near the battery and similarly near washer pipe. Keep the rat kill daily till rat die. Also get the metal brush from hardware shop and keep it near the battery. That is the place where rats enjoy the luxury of sauna in car. Tobacco doesnt worked in scaring rats away but it has left its smell in A/C went, and that troubled me while switching AC. Also change position of my parking daily.
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 11:06	#205
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Note from mod: Threads merged, please use search function before starting new threads
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 12:06	#206
zerocritical BANNED Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 302 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Thanks for the suggestions. All the electricals are working fine except the back light of speedo. Still will get everything checked. I went to A.S.S. today but they do not have the stock of the radiator to coolent tank hose. He told me the only place I can get that is from JC road near urvashi theater. Will go there in evening and try my luck. The nearest MASS near my place is BIMAL and after reading about BIMAL on the forum I dont want to take it to them. Any suggestions as to where can i take my car to. I stay in whitefield area. I'd not prefer to go far as i am not sure about the damages caused and I dont want to drive it for long without getting it fixed.
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 13:18	#207
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,000 Thanked: 3,577 Times View My Garage	i'd suggest a good electrician + maruti a.s.s inspection + a good rodent pesticide sprayed in the boot. there must be some way to prevent those pesky animals from entering. i'd say, get them out totally, and try shutting the most obvious points of their entry with a mesh grille. by most obvious i mean, those that CAN be sealed. do not worry man, the wiring can be replaced. you should be happy there was no short circuit. besides that, id recommend disconnecting the battery while the car is not being used.
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 17:32	#208
lohithrao Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kudla/Mangaluru Posts: 3,204 Thanked: 225 Times View My Garage	Mortein Rat Kill is the solution, i makesure i keep couple of small pieces on a regular basis. inside the hood and that has worked. I did try tobbaco a month back, quiet surprisingly have not found any rats foot prints or bits under the hood so far...
	() Thanks

23rd February 2009, 20:29	#209
zerocritical BANNED Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 302 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Had gone to MASS today.. was shocked to see the damage done. As I guessed earlier, they gave me all sorts of reason to get the complete wiring changed. Estimate? A WHOOPING 25-30k. Just for the wiring. this estimate can increase if some more parts are found to be damaged. For time being, replaced 3 Pipes, so called 2 heater hoses and break pressure hose. Coolent hose was not in stock.
	() Thanks