Rat damage to cars | Protection, solutions & advice

gopichinna · 26th July 2009, 23:28

Today when I took my Santro after a week's time, I noticed that my side indicator was not working properly. On further analysis, found that rat ate 2cm of wiring.

I had engine compartment lacquered last year for the same problem.. But clever rat seem have chewed the part of wire which was not lacquered properly.

Hyundai Service centre fellows didn't apply the spray properly (though got money for that promptly, as they usually do).

Can I get lacquer spray outside ? Does lacquer help keep rats away (I didn't anything related to lacquer in this post) ? Can a rat enter into cabin in Santro ?

Can snakes enter into cabin ? (i fear more for snakes)

gpa · 27th July 2009, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopichinna

Can I get lacquer spray outside? Does lacquer help keep rats away (I didn't anything related to lacquer in this post) ? Can a rat enter into cabin in Santro ?

Can snakes enter into cabin ? (i fear more for snakes)

I'm not too sure as to what is the "lacquer spray" that you are talking about. As far as I see it there is no way for a rat or even a snake to enter the cabin of the Santro if all the rubber grommets of the firewall are intact.

khan_sultan · 27th July 2009, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbo Head

This is really one of the most weird thread I have bumped in. ...

Yes, you are right. It looks weird and funny until one faces this issue personally in their own cars that they just love. Then it can take your sleep away

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopichinna

... Can snakes enter into cabin ? (i fear more for snakes)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpa

...As far as I see it there is no way for a rat or even a snake to enter the cabin of the Santro if all the rubber grommets of the firewall are intact.

I saw pictures where a '3-4 ft cobra was found in the A/C vent/duct pipe of 'a wagonR. I can share pictures if you want after taking them from the service center.

According to the service center it was a tough time they had to get rid of that snake. Also, it was discovered by accident when the owner asked the service center to clean the vent as he felt some hissing sound coming from it

lohithrao · 27th July 2009, 11:59

Thats scary! was the snake dead or alive?

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

According to the service center it was a tough time they had to get rid of that snake. Also, it was discovered by accident when the owner asked the service center to clean the vent as he felt some hissing sound coming from it

tsk1979 · 27th July 2009, 12:06

I do not think dead snakes hiss. I think due to cool air of AC, it must have been hibernating!
however I am sure that owner did not have any rat problem in the car!
Watch out for bollywood remake of hollywood. Car Me Saanp

shekharlele · 27th July 2009, 12:12

Ok, how about getting a resident cat for the car? You can keep cuddling him when you are stuck in traffic.

gopichinna · 27th July 2009, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpa

I'm not too sure as to what is the "lacquer spray" that you are talking about. As far as I see it there is no way for a rat or even a snake to enter the cabin of the Santro if all the rubber grommets of the firewall are intact.

I got the wire replaced in service station for ~135rs. Service station guy told me that it is a 3M lacquer which can be sprayed at service station. He didn't show me the product. Next time when I go there, I will get the details.

Can a rat chew grommets ? How to protect AC vent / duct with rat mesh ? (Probably some of us can write an article). It would be good to have these things written in a team bhp FAQ.

rajeev k · 27th July 2009, 12:39

I am facing the rat menace too often. The rats in my garage are fond of windshield washer water and they drink it through the washer tube forcing me to spend few hundred rupees. They get into the engine bay and the next day the car cabin stinks when the AC blower is switched on. I tried rat cakes but to no effect initially. Now I have learnt that you need to keep rat cakes daily for three to four days which helps to keep rats away for some weeks.

anupmathur · 27th July 2009, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I do not think dead snakes hiss. I think due to cool air of AC, it must have been hibernating!
however I am sure that owner did not have any rat problem in the car!

Dead snakes don't hiss but they can make the ducts hiss due to air gushing past the choked area!
There must have been a rat problem to begin with and the snake came in to eat the rats!
So there! We've got a solution to the rat problem now!!

Wwe now need to figure out a way to shoo away the snake!

gpa · 27th July 2009, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

I saw pictures where a '3-4 ft cobra was found in the A/C vent/duct pipe of 'a wagonR. I can share pictures if you want after taking them from the service center.

This is downright scary!!!

Would be great if you can share the pics.

Bijoy Nair · 3rd August 2009, 22:53

Ok, guess I've hit a home run! One piece of cake's been lying in the jeep for days now. Not eaten. Which means, no more rats. I've also done another thing. Sprayed Mortein Cockroach killer in the engine bay and within the jeep. Guess it works. Jeep's untouched. Also, got a 45 day refill of mosquito repellent FREE with the roach killer. Now I'm really sleeping well.

Thad E Ginathom · 13th September 2009, 16:11

Rat damage to my washing machine in my post --> here.

zerocritical · 13th September 2009, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bijoy Nair

Ok, guess I've hit a home run! One piece of cake's been lying in the jeep for days now. Not eaten. Which means, no more rats. I've also done another thing. Sprayed Mortein Cockroach killer in the engine bay and within the jeep. Guess it works. Jeep's untouched. Also, got a 45 day refill of mosquito repellent FREE with the roach killer. Now I'm really sleeping well.

Be careful.. those sprays are highly inflammable.. dont spray when the engine is hot...

pgsagar · 21st October 2009, 10:58

I always found this thread hilarious but not anymore when i faced the fury of rats two days back. I took the Lancer out in eve and noticed one of the four headlight did not come on ( i have angel-eyes with double HID ). The mech inspection revealed cleanly snipped wires to one bulb. The cut was so close to bulb-base that the mech had a tough time soldering the wires back on. Now whether this soldering withstands the heat is to be seen. I resorted to this as new Vision X bulb was quoted at Rs.3500/-. Cutout connecting wires were chewed too but not severed. Lucky for me that it being a diesel car, there is lesser wiring to worry about than in a petrol car. And to all those guys who find this thread hilarious, wait till they get you and trust me, it will wipe smile off your face. As for me, I am keeping rat poison , loose tobacco and camphor balls ( yes, all three as I do not want to take any chances ) under the car and hoping it would not re-occcur.

Raccoon · 21st October 2009, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by zerocritical

Be careful.. those sprays are highly inflammable.. dont spray when the engine is hot...

Also, I wouldn't be too sure how it reacts with the metal/plastic/rubber in the engine bay...

26th July 2009, 23:28	#376
gopichinna Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8 Thanked: 0 Times	Today when I took my Santro after a week's time, I noticed that my side indicator was not working properly. On further analysis, found that rat ate 2cm of wiring. I had engine compartment lacquered last year for the same problem.. But clever rat seem have chewed the part of wire which was not lacquered properly. Hyundai Service centre fellows didn't apply the spray properly (though got money for that promptly, as they usually do). Can I get lacquer spray outside ? Does lacquer help keep rats away (I didn't anything related to lacquer in this post) ? Can a rat enter into cabin in Santro ? Can snakes enter into cabin ? (i fear more for snakes)
	() Thanks

27th July 2009, 12:06	#380
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,731 Thanked: 23,409 Times View My Garage	I do not think dead snakes hiss. I think due to cool air of AC, it must have been hibernating! however I am sure that owner did not have any rat problem in the car! Watch out for bollywood remake of hollywood. Car Me Saanp
	() Thanks

27th July 2009, 12:12	#381
shekharlele BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 100 Thanked: 5 Times	Ok, how about getting a resident cat for the car? You can keep cuddling him when you are stuck in traffic.
	() Thanks

27th July 2009, 12:39	#383
rajeev k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Emerging Metro Posts: 3,352 Thanked: 1,953 Times	I am facing the rat menace too often. The rats in my garage are fond of windshield washer water and they drink it through the washer tube forcing me to spend few hundred rupees. They get into the engine bay and the next day the car cabin stinks when the AC blower is switched on. I tried rat cakes but to no effect initially. Now I have learnt that you need to keep rat cakes daily for three to four days which helps to keep rats away for some weeks.
	() Thanks

3rd August 2009, 22:53	#386
Bijoy Nair Newbie Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 12 Thanked: 0 Times	Gone! Ok, guess I've hit a home run! One piece of cake's been lying in the jeep for days now. Not eaten. Which means, no more rats. I've also done another thing. Sprayed Mortein Cockroach killer in the engine bay and within the jeep. Guess it works. Jeep's untouched. Also, got a 45 day refill of mosquito repellent FREE with the roach killer. Now I'm really sleeping well.
	() Thanks

13th September 2009, 16:11	#387
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,359 Thanked: 29,456 Times	Rat damage to my washing machine in my post --> here.
	() Thanks

21st October 2009, 10:58	#389
pgsagar BANNED Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vizag Posts: 2,638 Thanked: 3,639 Times View My Garage	Rat attack on my Lancer D. I always found this thread hilarious but not anymore when i faced the fury of rats two days back. I took the Lancer out in eve and noticed one of the four headlight did not come on ( i have angel-eyes with double HID ). The mech inspection revealed cleanly snipped wires to one bulb. The cut was so close to bulb-base that the mech had a tough time soldering the wires back on. Now whether this soldering withstands the heat is to be seen. I resorted to this as new Vision X bulb was quoted at Rs.3500/-. Cutout connecting wires were chewed too but not severed. Lucky for me that it being a diesel car, there is lesser wiring to worry about than in a petrol car. And to all those guys who find this thread hilarious, wait till they get you and trust me, it will wipe smile off your face. As for me, I am keeping rat poison , loose tobacco and camphor balls ( yes, all three as I do not want to take any chances ) under the car and hoping it would not re-occcur.
	() Thanks

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