Dang squirrels chewed through wires!

[Deleted member 5597]

Apparently, squirrels like my Ford Maverick hybrid and my wife’s Ford Escape hybrid. My wife’s Escape “check engine” light came on about three weeks ago and on FordPass, said it was the knock sensor. I took it to have Ford repair center look at it, and all they did was reset the knock sensor warning, which came back on two miles down the road. I called them back, and they were backed up three weeks just to have them diagnose it, so the car sat in the driveway until yesterday, when I got an appointment at the Lincoln dealer across the street from them. Upon a visual inspection under the hood, they discovered acorns in several spots and rodent turds. They said the damage so far is $1200 and advised me to call my insurance company. The squirrels chewed through wires. From what I searched on the internet. Squirrels are looking for nesting places in the winter. I need to get rodent spray to hopefully keep them away.

So since her Escape has been deadlined and now at the Lincoln repair shop, she’s been driving my Maverick. When she got home yesterday, I looked under the hood and found rodent turds, but no acorns.

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[pndwind]

Soy wires don’t help.

 

[Fitzovich]

I had this problem with my wife's 2018 Nissan Rogue to the tune of $4K in damage to the wiring, hoses, windshield washer tank and they even chewed on some metal in the engine compartment. each January 1st through the end of March I leave the hood up on the vehicle, put cayenne pepper around (cheap at dollar store) and bags with cotton balls soaked in ammonia. You have to make it as unpleasant as possible for them so that they don't build a nest. Check this link for ideas....https://www.wildlifehotline.com/

 

[GA Hot Pepper]

I Feel for those that park outside. I built an additional 2 1/2 car garage, so all four vehicles are protected. Try one of the ultrasonic rodent devices.

 

[HotRod]

Yup, soy in the insulation. Squirrels, chipmunks and mice love it. Buddy of mine used to leave the hood popped but not up all the way in his garage. No problems after that. His main problem was mice not squirrels and chipmunks though.

 

[CSmith]

I'm kinda worried about squirrels and my Maverick. Plenty of squirrels but they have nests in trees so not worrying about them nesting. Those suckers did chew up the exhaust gas canister in my Ford Fiesta. With the soy wires on my Maverick I am sure it will be just a matter of time before they come for it.

I'm getting some of those squirrel repellent "pouches" to try and stave off the inevitable. Hope I can stand the smell!

Pest Control Pouches

 

[grumpyguy]

I've had good luck placing mothballs in the engine compartment. Kept the mice out for sure.

 

[HIGHvoltage22]

Consider investing in a MouseBlocker ($60). It's a low power unit that you install in your engine bay (or anywhere on your car's exterior, really). 3 wire install. When the ignition is off, the Mouse blocker generates a high-frequency pitch that it hard for people to hear (those with sensitive ears may hear it), but it drives rodents away. It's basically an electronic dog whistle.

I put one in the engine bay of my car that sits outside in a carport and is not my daily driver. It's been installed for years and I've never had an issue with mice/squirrels. They also make models that you can put in your garage, but I've only used the original one.

https://mouseblocker.com/product/mouse-blocker-classic/

 

[Shakesbear]

Apparently, squirrels like my Ford Maverick hybrid and my wife’s Ford Escape hybrid. My wife’s Escape “check engine” light came on about three weeks ago and on FordPass, said it was the knock sensor. I took it to have Ford repair center look at it, and all they did was reset the knock sensor warning, which came back on two miles down the road. I called them back, and they were backed up three weeks just to have them diagnose it, so the car sat in the driveway until yesterday, when I got an appointment at the Lincoln dealer across the street from them. Upon a visual inspection under the hood, they discovered acorns in several spots and rodent turds. They said the damage so far is $1200 and advised me to call my insurance company. The squirrels chewed through wires. From what I searched on the internet. Squirrels are looking for nesting places in the winter. I need to get rodent spray to hopefully keep them away.

So since her Escape has been deadlined and now at the Lincoln repair shop, she’s been driving my Maverick. When she got home yesterday, I looked under the hood and found rodent turds, but no acorns.

You need a good 'ol barn cat my friend

 

[Chris_G]

You need a good 'ol barn cat my friend

Rental available?

 

[MaxMav]

For years we've been deterring rodents in our vehicles engine compartments with mothballs. I take a 6" section of 1" dia AL tubing and drill 3/16" holes all around. I fill them with mothballs and tape the ends shut with aluminum duct tape. Then I find a suitable spot in the engine compartment and I attach them with velcro. I use 2 in each, usually I can find a spot on either side next to engine. They usually need refilling at about 6 months.

I started doing this after discovering nesting material under an engine cover. We haven't had any issues since and we do have mice, chipmunks and squirrels around here.

I'll be moving them from our trade-in to our Mav when we pick it up in about a week.

 

[Shakesbear]

Rental available?

You can pick up a good mean one down at the pound. I found this one, and he's a bad ass

 

[Chris_G]

You can pick up a good mean one down at the pound. I found this one, and he's a bad ass

Damn, that's Kung Fu kitty.

 

[Mikeetch]

I thought they quit using soy/veggie based plastic for this reason exactly. You could always purchase wolf urine crystal for under the hood.

 

[Mymaverick2021]

Apparently, squirrels like my Ford Maverick hybrid and my wife’s Ford Escape hybrid. My wife’s Escape “check engine” light came on about three weeks ago and on FordPass, said it was the knock sensor. I took it to have Ford repair center look at it, and all they did was reset the knock sensor warning, which came back on two miles down the road. I called them back, and they were backed up three weeks just to have them diagnose it, so the car sat in the driveway until yesterday, when I got an appointment at the Lincoln dealer across the street from them. Upon a visual inspection under the hood, they discovered acorns in several spots and rodent turds. They said the damage so far is $1200 and advised me to call my insurance company. The squirrels chewed through wires. From what I searched on the internet. Squirrels are looking for nesting places in the winter. I need to get rodent spray to hopefully keep them away.

So since her Escape has been deadlined and now at the Lincoln repair shop, she’s been driving my Maverick. When she got home yesterday, I looked under the hood and found rodent turds, but no acorns.

It's the soy based wiring, and apparently Squirrels like it as much as the Rats do

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