Rodents Ate My Injector Wires

[zzdocxx]

4Runner sounded like it was missing on at least one cylinder, before I got the diagnosis I was wondering, fouled plug ? Timing belt issue ? (This was at idle.)

It was so bad I didn't want to drive it and risk messing it up even more, so I had it towed to the nearest dealer.

Later that day, I got the call -- rodents chewed threw some of my fuel injector wires. I had been staying in a hotel while working out of town and I don't know if rats are living in the palm trees and bushes or if it is because of all the agriculture around there.

It was a $650 repair job, OUCH !

Here's the question

There are many different proposed remedies (dryer sheets, peppermint and other sprays, electric ultrasonic thingies, mothballs, hot chili tape, etc.) out there on the internet. As many or more opinions saying that various remedies don't work.

I'm leaning towrad this tape with capsaicin (from hot chili peppers) in it that is supposed to stop the chewing.

Or maybe this, it looks like wire mesh, right ?

My brother said he solved rodents in the car by putting packets of rat poison various places in the car.

I know this has been discussed before but am wondering what the current thinking is on this ? ? ?

 

[zzdocxx]

I googled this early last week when it happened. It seems like most of the hits I got had to do with these exact fuel injector wires.

I just wonder when you start taping wires where do you quit ? Because there are probably lots and lots of other wires in there. It sounds like a lot of work. You are supposed to wear gloves when using the hot chili tape by the way.

Please advise !

 

[foamo]

4Runner sounded like it was missing on at least one cylinder, before I got the diagnosis I was wondering, fouled plug ? Timing belt issue ? (This was at idle.)

It was so bad I didn't want to drive it and risk messing it up even more, so I had it towed to the nearest dealer.

Later that day, I got the call -- rodents chewed threw some of my fuel injector wires. I had been staying in a hotel while working out of town and I don't know if rats are living in the palm trees and bushes or if it is because of all the agriculture around there.

It was a $650 repair job, OUCH !

Here's the question

There are many different proposed remedies (dryer sheets, peppermint and other sprays, electric ultrasonic thingies, mothballs, hot chili tape, etc.) out there on the internet. As many or more opinions saying that various remedies don't work.

I'm leaning towrad this tape with capsaicin (from hot chili peppers) in it that is supposed to stop the chewing.

Or maybe this, it looks like wire mesh, right ?

My brother said he solved rodents in the car by putting packets of rat poison various places in the car.

I know this has been discussed before but am wondering what the current thinking is on this ? ? ?

Been battling the rats (and wining for 12 months).
Noticed evidence early on and expelled them.
Vigilance is key.
Thought about the tape, but would rather keep rodents out of engine bay altogether. I see rats all over our property. No evidence in the engine bay after 12 months of doing what I detail in the video.
Check out my video below that details my thoughts on preventing rodents, and what I am doing.

p.s. The rodents keep hitting my neighbor's car, so the rodents leaving me alone is not just coincidence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDta1SfJKY8&feature=youtu.be

 

[zzdocxx]

Here is one that I like, I'll post the link, image, and some text from there webpage. No I don't work for the Flexo Company ! ! !

Keep Your Wires & Cables Safe From Hungry Rodents

Flexo Rodent Resistant (RRN) is the latest solution from Techflex for fighting the harmful effects ofunprotected wires which are exposed to rodents. Muskrats, Mice, Rats, and other rodents have never ending time to find and destroy wiring and hose systems. Techflex has once again combined our knowledge pf technical filaments and braided protection sleeves to create an amazing rodent resistant sleeving.

Our new flexible wire and hose braided conduit makes a very repulsive meal for any critter. In our own in-house testing, rodents completely avoided our new Flexo RRN even when stuffed with food. Make your wires and hoses an unappealing midnight snack with new Flexo Rodent Resistant.

Material can cause irritation if it comes in contact with skin, eyes, etc. Handle with care.

Flexo® Rodent Resistant
Flexo® Rodent Resistant - 1/2" - Dark Brown
(RRN0.50DB)
Choose a size:
1/4"
3/8"
1/2"
5/8"
3/4"
1"
1 1/4"
1 1/2"
1 3/4"
2"
2 1/2"
Change units to Metric
Choose a style:
RRN

I need to figure out which size I need. The fuel injector wires are actually quite thin. I wonder if this stuff is split so it can be installed easily ? ? Otherwise, it would have to be threaded on from one end, keeping in mind the wires all have connectors on them.

Ehh, the more pics I see of this the more convinced I am that it is not split. Further, a "hot knife" cutter is recommended to cut lengths. I guess this for not really for retail user.

Ooop, found one pic that may indicate the contrary.

What do you guys think ?

 

[swampdodo]

FYI...

Soy-Based Wiring - How to Help Keep Mice Out | NH Oil Undercoating


Or...do you like cats?

 

[ElectroBoy]

Here is one that I like, I'll post the link, image, and some text from there webpage. No I don't work for the Flexo Company ! ! !


Ooop, found one pic that may indicate the contrary.

What do you guys think ?

I’ve been interested in something like this also.

I have used regular Techflex braided cable sleeving in 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch diameters for inside the cabin wiring, purchased from Amazon. I wanted to sheath my wiring for neatness and to resist abrasion from vibration. The braiding is polyethylene terephthalate (PET, polyester), made from 0.008 inch filaments. It works well but is not split, you have to compress it lengthwise to expand it and feed the wires through. A little bit of a pain if the wire bundle is thick, but if the sheath is wide enough diameter you can expand it over some connectors.

The Techflex website claims that Flexo Rodent Resistant cable sheathing is unappealing to rodents but doesn’t say how it works. As far as I can tell, it’s the same material as their other cable products, PET. And it’s not split. The only difference I see is that it’s colored brown instead of black. And it’s woven from a slightly thicker fiber, 0.010 inch. Maybe the thicker wall is a deterrent once the rodent starts chewing. They don’t claim to add any chemical treatment to it, like hot pepper capsaicin, but they say take caution when handling, may cause skin or eye irritation.

Kind of confusing. It bugs me when product specs don’t give you enough information. Maybe an email or chat could clear it up. If you find out any more info please post an update.

https://cdn.techflex.com/assets/pdfs/specification-sheets/rrn.pdf