Inside hood tear???
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
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Inside hood tear???
So I took my Corvette out of winter storage today. I had the hood down, but not closed in order to allow the battery tender's wires through. I open the hood, and below is what I found (see pic 2). Now I'm not saying that this is because of the Winter Storage...I guess it could have been there for awhile and I haven't noticed it...but any of you had something like this before? Could it have been animals biting the clothes?
In addition, at the risk of sounding like a complete moron, I found what looks like dirt on that metal piece of machinery (see third pic). So my question is, what is that, and is it supposed to be that dirty? If not, how can I effectively clean it? I'm not a mechanic...sorry if this is a noob question.
Appreciate all your expert's help!
In addition, at the risk of sounding like a complete moron, I found what looks like dirt on that metal piece of machinery (see third pic). So my question is, what is that, and is it supposed to be that dirty? If not, how can I effectively clean it? I'm not a mechanic...sorry if this is a noob question.
Appreciate all your expert's help!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
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Damn...really? Any idea on how I can prevent this from happening again? I followed all the ways to winter store by putting laundry softener sheets in my muffler and etc.
Also, any good way to clean it besides soap and water...or is that good enough?
So should I leave the hood up and open for next winter?
Also, any good way to clean it besides soap and water...or is that good enough?
So should I leave the hood up and open for next winter?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2010
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I wrapped my plug wires and put downy sheets under the hood also. I also put dcon and mouse traps in garage. I would look carefully for where that chewed up liner went. If it was a mouse they used it to build a nest.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Without a doubt mice were/are making a nest in your car! You really need to make sure you got them out of there! Lets hope they haven't already chewed up wiring. I had a pickup catch on fire from the little bastards... so it's serious business. If all they got was your hood liner consider yourself VERY lucky....
I have mouse traps everywhere in the garage I store the vette for the winter... Have about 15 traps using peanut butter which seems to be the best bait I've found.
If you suddenly have electrical issues you'll know why.... Good luck...
BTW my insurance covered the damage they did to my truck!
I have mouse traps everywhere in the garage I store the vette for the winter... Have about 15 traps using peanut butter which seems to be the best bait I've found.
If you suddenly have electrical issues you'll know why.... Good luck...
BTW my insurance covered the damage they did to my truck!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 198
From: Southington CT
Yea, mice. I have that problem with my DD that I leave outside in my driveway. Really do not know what to do to keep them out. Guess next winter, you can place mouse traps all around your car and keep checking them daily.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
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Thanks for all your help...I'll make sure to buy some mouse traps. I've never see any mice around...so it's hard to believe...maybe chipmunks? I'll also put dryer sheets in my hood.
Oh, should I also leave my hood up for the winter? And how about a replacement hood liner? Anybody know where to buy and how much they cost?
Thanks
Oh, should I also leave my hood up for the winter? And how about a replacement hood liner? Anybody know where to buy and how much they cost?
Thanks
Last edited by c6wantedNOW; May 22, 2011 at 05:52 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 76
From: Marshall, Missouri
Thanks for all your help...I'll make sure to buy some mouse traps. I've never see any mice around...so it's hard to believe...maybe chipmunks? I'll also put dryer sheets in my hood.
Oh, should I also leave my hood up for the winter? And how about a replacement hood liner? Anybody know where to buy and how much they cost?
Thanks
Oh, should I also leave my hood up for the winter? And how about a replacement hood liner? Anybody know where to buy and how much they cost?
Thanks
Bye the way, I would check your cabin air filter just to see if your mouse guests built a nest in there - it's been known to happen.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 53
From: Tucson Arizona
Put some moth ***** in a net bag under the hood and they will stay clear. We have a lot of problems with pack rats nesting in cars around here and the moth ***** work great when the car sits for a while.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 11
From: Valdosta Georgia
mice built two nests in my engine bay during the summer last year. I was very cautious this past winter to make sure they did not come back.
so far this product as worked perfectly. I just taped a packet to the top of my battery. No more mice for almost 8 months.
so far this product as worked perfectly. I just taped a packet to the top of my battery. No more mice for almost 8 months.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,191
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From: Tucson Arizona
"Why Pack Rats Are Attracted To Vehicles
Pack rats are attracted to any area that provides opportunities for safe harborage. An ideal harborage is accessible to the pack rat, but not to its many predators including bobcats, owls, snakes and coyotes.
A vehicle engine compartment is close to perfect. Additionally, the sound proofing insulation under the hood provides excellent nest-making material and engine wires are just right for the chewing necessary to maintain sharp teeth."
Everything you could want to know about pack rats and what they can do:
http://www.mrpackrat.net/Packrats.htm
Last edited by RJRSW; May 22, 2011 at 08:33 PM.
Race Director
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Everything you could want to know about pack rats and what they can do:
http://www.mrpackrat.net/Packrats.htm
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
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All very helpful, thanks! I'll try the moth ***** or that Mouse Magic instead of traps first. I'm afraid the peanut butter will attract more critters. I'll also check the cabin filter as well.
As for a replacement, $80 I can deal with, but $80 shipping does sound too much...maybe I can check my local chevy dealer and see what they charge. $80 is a lot for hood insulation, but it looks like crap like this
As for a replacement, $80 I can deal with, but $80 shipping does sound too much...maybe I can check my local chevy dealer and see what they charge. $80 is a lot for hood insulation, but it looks like crap like this
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 53
From: Tucson Arizona
I lived in the Minneapolis and surrounding areas for almost 40 years and there are plenty of their relatives up there. Had the same problems up there with cars that were not driven a lot. Also used the moth ***** to keep them out of where you do not want them. Peanut butter just attracts them like a magnet and very quickly if you want to trap them.
A Pack Rat is basically just a large mouse or a small rat. Looks just like them and does exactly the same thing.
A Pack Rat is basically just a large mouse or a small rat. Looks just like them and does exactly the same thing.