Rodents/Squirrels ate through fuel line. Advice on preventing in the future?

[soupcansam]

Hi everyone, a few weeks ago, a strange fuel smell started coming from my bronco. I took it in this past Friday, Oct. 20th, for a diagnostic at one of the local Ford dealer's.

They told me that it looks like rodents (I assume squirrels since they're all over my apartment complex) got into my engine bay and chewed into the fuel line that I circled in the picture below to the point that fuel was being sprayed directly onto the motor while driving. The engine bay also had other signs of damage such as the red piece on the fuse box red positive terminal cover on the battery that I've circled below.

The total cost to fix is going to be roughly $1000 dollars parts and labors, not covered by warranty. I'm checking now to see if my insurance will cover it, they said that it would but wouldn't give me a direct answer on whether or not it would raise my premiums, but that's besides the point.

I've seen the following advice on some other forum posts (this one, this one, and this one):

1. Rodent Repellent Spray or Sacks or home-made peppermint oil-based sprays
2. Ultrasonic Devices (like this, this, and this)
3. Shielding tape (not sure about this one and any potential warranty concerns)
4. Bounce dryer sheets and/or Moth Balls
5. Parking in a garage (not feasible for me as I live in an apartment complex)

I was also thinking about the JCR or IAG Engine Covers, since these covers will at least shield the specific part of mine that got torn up. The Ford one doesn't seem to provide much coverage, unfortunately.

My questions:

1. Do any of these solutions sound like a better idea than others, assuming I'm correct in thinking it was squirrels that did this to my bronco?
2. For the engine covers, will they cause overheating problems (especially the JCR metal one)? I'm concerned that Ford left the engine cover off for a reason.
3. Would adding full-body skid plates help by making it harder for squirrels to get in from underneath? If so, what brand would you recommend?
4. Are there any ideas I'm forgetting?

I appreciate all your help!

Sponsored

 

[PWillette]

The engine covers and skids will not deter the rodents. I've had pretty good luck w/ moth balls (if you can put up with the smell) and believe it or not Irish Spring bar soap works pretty darn good.

 

[flip]

Mighty Mint rodent repellent spray? Little bastards have been all over my bronco and wife's vehicle but seem to be put off by the spray. Probably not the best but it's what I'm trying right now before going to the moth balls.

 

[BigFootie]

My solution is a live trap and a 5 gallon bucket of water.

PS: I'm not a very good rodent swimming instructor so you can figure out the rest of the story!

 

[BlueBronco]

$1k to replace a fuel line??? Thats nuts. I doubt that is a $100 line and wouldn't think it would book for more than 2 hours of labor.

And that red cover is for the battery positive terminal, not the fuse box.

Edit. I stand corrected, apparently it is a real pita to replace this particular fuel line.

 

[Imonamoose]

A .22 with some rat shot should take care of that.

 

[HBTFD]

Get an outdoor cat.

 

[soupcansam]

The engine covers and skids will not deter the rodents. I've had pretty good luck w/ moth balls (if you can put up with the smell) and believe it or not Irish Spring bar soap works pretty darn good.

Yea my thinking with the cover at least was just to make it harder to get to the wires since both JCR and IAG cover the specific wire that got damaged. I figured it would be harder for a rodent to get between the cover and that fuel line.

But, I'll definitely try the moth balls and soap you recommended. Thanks!

 

[soupcansam]

$1k to replace a fuel line??? Thats nuts. I doubt that is a $100 line and wouldn't think it would book for more than 2 hours of labor.

And that red cover is for the battery positive terminal, not the fuse box.

Yea, its $300 for the part and quoted $700 for labor. Super expensive to me.

And, my bad. I corrected the original post about the red cover. Thanks!

 

[soupcansam]

Mighty Mint rodent repellent spray? Little bastards have been all over my bronco and wife's vehicle but seem to be put off by the spray. Probably not the best but it's what I'm trying right now before going to the moth balls.

Thanks! Yea, I saw that one and its currently in my amazon cart. I'll make sure to try it out. How often do you apply it - daily, weekly, or just at random?

 

[Mkass]

most likely rats, its not worth claiming on your Insurance. my 2 cents

 

[soupcansam]

most likely rats, its not worth claiming on your Insurance. my 2 cents

My dad advised me the same. With a $500 dollar deductible and possibly both raising my premium and having it occur again, doesn't seem worth it. Might as well pay out of pocket. Thanks!

 

[flip]

Thanks! Yea, I saw that one and its currently in my amazon cart. I'll make sure to try it out. How often do you apply it - daily, weekly, or just at random?

Just hosed it down around the wheel wells and suspension where I saw it going in and coming out of. Only applied once and don't know how long it's effective for. I saw it jump up in on the driver side and pop out on the passenger side 5 minutes later. Didn't see any chewing but hosed it down anyway. We feed the tree rats and it seems like they start messing with the vehicles when the feeders are empty. Spoiled rodents.

 

[Rednek]

maybe after the repair put some stainless braided covers on the hoses.

 

[Dmorty217]

A .22 with some rat shot should take care of that.

This if he didn’t live in a apartment complex. There’s always a Karen in the bunch

Sponsored