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Freeloading rat in the engine

Discussion in '360/430' started by 4EverRosso, Mar 13, 2011.

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  1. 4EverRosso

    4EverRosso Rookie

    Feb 15, 2010
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    Southern California
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    Erik
    #1 4EverRosso, Mar 13, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    No, I don’t have a picture of the actual culprit but he left his calling car. I’m wondering if anyone can help. This morning after starting the car and letting it warm up for a couple minutes in the driveway, I noticed a strange smell. After opening the rear lid and searching around I found a rat nest under the intake manifold in that cave like area between the manifold and the engine block. The creature had pulled a bunch of the fiberglass insulation lining the walls and made a hope for itself. You can see some of the remnants of the insulation (looks like hair) in the photos below. After extracting the nest I found that the rat had chewed threw a wire. I have no idea what the wire’s purpose was, which is why I’m posting these pics to see if anyone can help. Before you say “take it to a Ferrari tech”, don’t worry, that’s the plan. My fear is that I could do more damage driving it to the dealership if this wire served in some vital capacity. So I’m trying to decide if I should get it flat bedded in. One thing to mention is that it seemed to run same as always while it was warming up, but If anyone could help, I’d really appreciate it.

    Here’s the scoop, it’s an 02 360 Spider and the wire is only visible when looking under the intake manifold from the drivers side. The first photo is more of a wide angle shot so you can see where the wire resides. I have a metal wand with a light at the end of it pointing to the plug/wire. The rest of the photos are my best attempt to get the correct lighting and focus to make it visible. It’s hard to see the little guy but the break in the wire is about ½ inch past the electrical connector. The wire is the white stub as the black protective coating around it was eaten.

    Does anybody have any idea what this wire was for (besides rat food)? Thanks in advance.
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  2. F355F1 Berlinetta

    F355F1 Berlinetta Karting

    Mar 13, 2010
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    Norway
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    REV
    #2 F355F1 Berlinetta, Mar 13, 2011
  3. 4EverRosso

    4EverRosso Rookie

    Feb 15, 2010
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    Erik
    #3 4EverRosso, Mar 13, 2011
  4. Juri

    Juri Formula Junior
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    #4 Juri, Mar 13, 2011
    That is one VEEEEEERRRRY EXPENSIVE house for a rat nest... !!! :-D
    How many months was your car was sitting in the garage ???
     
  5. 4EverRosso

    4EverRosso Rookie

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    #5 4EverRosso, Mar 13, 2011
    I regularly drive the car so it wasn't sitting for more than 2 weeks.
     
  6. Juri

    Juri Formula Junior
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    #6 Juri, Mar 13, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2011
    WOW, that was one sophisticated rat... Ferrari columnated appartment, Ferrari wire for desert... probably was worth it even only for a couple days of "vacationing" there :-D

    On a serious note, can you please take a close-up picture of the wire in question, so that one could be more definitie in answering your question.

    Cheers. :)
     
  7. Ingpr

    Ingpr F1 Rookie

    Jun 30, 2009
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    #7 Ingpr, Mar 13, 2011
    Taking out that intake manifold is a pain on the as!
    All the euc's wiring are attached to the runways, the vacuum mechanisms hose for the inside trumpets, the knock sensors and some other stuff.

    That is very weird!!!
     
  8. Juri

    Juri Formula Junior
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    #8 Juri, Mar 13, 2011
    On the other hand, it maybe as simple as power washing (or blowing out with compressed air)... Will be interesting ot hear how this problem will be eventually resolved...
     
  9. 4EverRosso

    4EverRosso Rookie

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    #9 4EverRosso, Mar 13, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. 4EverRosso

    4EverRosso Rookie

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    #10 4EverRosso, Mar 13, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  11. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 TheMayor, Mar 13, 2011
    I would repair the insulation also. It's there for a reason.
     
  12. ttdang123

    ttdang123 Formula Junior

    Nov 28, 2009
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    Tung
    #12 ttdang123, Mar 13, 2011
    I would assume that your insurance would cover for the tow?
     
  13. crcs

    crcs Formula 3
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    #13 crcs, Mar 14, 2011
    Another reason not to let your car sit forever?
     
  14. ELP_JC

    ELP_JC Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2008
    1,264
    #14 ELP_JC, Mar 14, 2011
    Few comments. Any critical wire severed would immediately trigger a CEL, and/or prevent the engine from firing up (cam or crank position sensor, etc), so no worries there. The good news is the wire is not severed, or even exposed at all. The bad news is it has to be reinsulated, but doesn't look easy. The best case scenario would be to have enough room to work with the panel behind the seats removed. Otherwise the intake manifold would have to come out, like somebody else mentioned. Good luck.
     
  15. since-15

    since-15 Formula 3

    Nov 26, 2008
    1,142
    #15 since-15, Mar 14, 2011
    Damn! Some animals have no respect. If the mouse (or rat) is in your Ferrari, then what the hell is living in your house? I hope you call an exterminator before you fix this issue, for it WILL happen again. They are creatures of habit. So, before you get to fixin' you need to get to killin'. Good luck!
     
  16. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
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    #16 SrfCity, Mar 14, 2011
    UB 40 - Rat In Me Kitchen(Ferrari) lyrics

    There's a rat in me kitchen what am I gonna do?
    There's a rat in me kitchen what am I gonna go?
    I'm gonna fix that rat thats what I'm gonna do,
    I'm gonna fix that rat.

    When you open your mouth you don't talk, you shout
    And you give every body the blame,
    But when they catch you up,
    They will shut you up
    And you got no one to blame

    Chorus

    There's a rat in me kitchen ........ Etc

    When you out on the street,
    You practice lies and deceipt
    And you scandalize my name
    But when I catch you up
    I'm gonna pull you up
    I'm gonna check-out inside your brain

    Chorus

    There's a rat in me kitchen ....... Etc

    when yo deh pon the scene,
    You make everyone scream
    Because they know your so unjust
    But when they catch you up
    They will kick you up
    Because you someone they cannot trust

    Chorus

    There's a rat in me kitchen ....... Etc

    You invade my space
    Make me feel disgraced
    And you just don't give a damn
    If I had my way
    If I had my say
    I'd like to see you hang

    Chorus

    There's a rat in me kitchen ..... Etc

    Repeat chorus and fade
     
  17. rawg

    rawg Rookie

    Nov 14, 2010
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    #17 rawg, Mar 14, 2011
    This actually scared me more lol
     
  18. ELP_JC

    ELP_JC Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2008
    1,264
    #18 ELP_JC, Mar 14, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2011
    Two things about mice. First, they only nest with a FOOD SOURCE near by. The typical culprit is pet food in the garage or on a shed. The other is mice don't eat wires and such; as rodents, their teeth constantly grow, and they need to chew on stuff to keep them from growing too large (and die). Their 'trifecta' is an idle car (plenty of wires to chew), inside a garage (toasty and secure), with pet food there (no danger). Keep in mind that without food around, they'd NEVER choose your car :). But with mice infested areas, it'd wise to put a trap anyway, especially with non-DD cars. Good day.
     
  19. 4EverRosso

    4EverRosso Rookie

    Feb 15, 2010
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    Erik
    #19 4EverRosso, Mar 15, 2011
    Well I played it safe and had the car transported to the dealer. They found at least 2 wires that were chewed through. One was related to the O2 knock sensor and the other was part of the main wiring harness for the car. To get to the harness(s) they have to pull off the convertible top, the back section of the cabin and the intake manifold. Estimate is 23 hours just to get to the wires. I'm sure my insurance company is going to want to come set some rat traps in the garages themself after paying this bill.
     
  20. ttdang123

    ttdang123 Formula Junior

    Nov 28, 2009
    706
    North San Diego CA
    Full Name:
    Tung
    #20 ttdang123, Mar 15, 2011
    Wow. This is going to be an expensive fix. Just set a few traps for mine - just in case.

    Make sure you have your shop taking a lot of pics and save the evidence (just in case the ins comp wants to dispute later).

    Best of luck to you.
     
  21. cove26

    cove26 Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2007
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    Mike
    #21 cove26, Mar 15, 2011
    Thats pretty good if your insurance company covers that. Mine specifically says does not cover rodent damage.
     
  22. cove26

    cove26 Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2007
    1,135
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    Full Name:
    Mike
    #22 cove26, Mar 20, 2011
    I checked that same area on mine after reading this post and I noticed the same tube chewed through. One wire was a tab frayed and the other was fine, so luckily the wires weren't chewed through. I just mended it with some silicone and should be fine.
     

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