Found lots of insulation(hood) on the ground this morning

[miata007]

Recently, my Y33 started to have an engine oil leak. So I have been checking underneath the car for oil leak regularly and found a lot of insulation material from the hood being chewed off by mice. I then opened the hood and found maybe 1 sq ft area of the insulation is gone. I took a quick look at the hoses and wires. They seem to be ok. My car is parked in my driveway in front of the house. I live near the levee(river) so there are lots of field mice around. Does anybody have a way to avoid this from happening?

007

[elwesso]

[Rex]

Recently, my Y33 started to have an engine oil leak. So I have been checking underneath the car for oil leak regularly and found a lot of insulation material from the hood being chewed off by mice. I then opened the hood and found maybe 1 sq ft area of the insulation is gone. I took a quick look at the hoses and wires. They seem to be ok. My car is parked in my driveway in front of the house. I live near the levee(river) so there are lots of field mice around. Does anybody have a way to avoid this from happening?

007

Well, I would suggest putting a cat under the hood ... but we've heard what happens when one gets under there .

See if the local hardware guy has any siuggestions for field mice in an area where cats/dogs could get at any poison/traps.

[goody90q45]

I haven't laughed this hard in a long time.

[squeefoo]

Leave the hood open.

[pdqwrx]

Use a good ol' mouse trap and cut his darn head off....

[jamesmost]

my friend got a brandnew motor from chipmonks nesting in his motor siezed up and insurance bought him a brand new 15K 3.0 ltr for his 2000 A6.Home Depot sells poison sticks for killingBut there is a better ptoduct (pro grade) they are little blue blocks of poison that are like "Big Mac's to rodents.

[nab911]

What if he doesn't like Big Macs? I dont....

[maxnix]

What if he doesn't like Big Macs? I dont....

He'll obviously live longer.

[jamesmost]

He'll obviously live longer.

i hate fast food , but every few monthes get that craving for a Big Mac or some other s**t like that.get one really tasty. then sick as hell.

[miata007]

Going to work this morning, I again check my car. This time more insulation on the ground and on top of that, 2 1-in long hoses labeled "left" and "right". I am not sure what kind of hoses they are. They are not the think rubbery kind used for oil or water that I know. I guess they must be hose for some electrical wires. Damn it! Two nights in a row.

Tonite, I am going to clean up my third garage space and put my Q in there. It's going to be alot of work. Or the Q can take the spot of my 92 Pathfinder instead depending on time and space.

007

[miata007]

By the way, Big Mac sounds good to me. I am going to stop by Walmart and get some of those green block Big Mac. Thanks for the help!

007

[Rex]

Going to work this morning, I again check my car. This time more insulation on the ground and on top of that, 2 1-in long hoses labeled "left" and "right". I am not sure what kind of hoses they are. They are not the think rubbery kind used for oil or water that I know. I guess they must be hose for some electrical wires. Damn it! Two nights in a row.

Tonite, I am going to clean up my third garage space and put my Q in there. It's going to be alot of work. Or the Q can take the spot of my 92 Pathfinder instead depending on time and space.

007

The hoses would have me concerned, I might not even drive it until I figured that on out .

[PoorManQ45]

Just put rat poison on the plenum. Don't worry about cats getting at it. If they do, then they deserve to die

[rasrx7]

maybe its possible to use those ultrasonic sound emitting things that are supposed to scare them away from like plants..maybe you can use that...or like the one for dogs and cats...that way you dont have to deal with poison all over the place...especially if kids are around alot...

[miata007]

Anyway, the problem has gotten worse. Couple days later after I started this thread, while I was entering the driveway of my house the car started shaking. The engine idle was going up/down (+/- 200 rpm). I started inspecting the the engine and removed the chewed off hood insulation materials. In the process, i found couple wires (1 to 2 inches long) broken on both ends on the engine. Then I found a cable chewed off on one end. The other end connects to a connector with four signals. The cable was wrapped with a bicycle tire tube matterial. I am not sure where that cable goes to since it's on the back of the engine underneath the plenum I think, someplace very hard to see. I am planning to take some pics and post it here to see if it helps.

While the engine is running in "PARK", I checked all the electronics/switches, displays, lights, and .... in the car and everything works. (?????) There is one assumption I have is the cable connector. It looks like all 4 signals are tie together it is probably a ground signals or a power. I tried measuring it with a DVM but the reading was zero. I will need a hand from someone(my brother) to make better measurement. I hope I don't have to take out the plenum to get access to it. If I do, I am thinking about checking/replacing the ks, injectors, spark plugs, coils, MAF, and TB.

007

[kimrober]

Damn..... your Q must be really tasty to mice's taste... good luck man..

[Rex]

Wow, I'm very sorry to hear about this. I would be rather concerned, not knowing what was damaged and knowing it would idle sans those wires .

I hope you can diagnose this and rid yourself of these pests.

[qsiguy]

doubt it's gonna help where you park, they are probably living in there now. Strategic placement of rat poison under the hood. Yummy

[Q451990]

Maybe some pictures would help?

Heath

[miata007]

Yup! I am going post some pics this weekend when I get a chance to take it and figure out how to post. At my work, one of my co-worker's dad has a car like mine (97). I will ask if his dad will let me remove the engine cover and let me trace where those wires go. Will keep you guys posted.

In addition, I am going to get one of does pdf format repair manual on ebay. I think it's about $10-$12 shipped. Hope it has the info.

007