Rodent Problem!

AwLegacyGT · 01-11-2008, 04:39 PM

I purchased my car about 2 months before I came home from Japan. While it sat I think a squirrel or mouse chewed up the heat shield on the underside of the hood.

Has anyone else had this problem? I took it to the dealership and was quoted 175 for parts. I'll take pictures in the morning if anyone cares to see.

stressdoc · 01-11-2008, 04:49 PM

This happens a lot. Mice make nests out of it. Problem is when they chew on more vital parts, or put their nest where it will start a fire. Mice like to make stashes of dog food in the warm engine compartment that they steal from my dog's bowls in the garage. I have to set a few traps every winter. The part is an easy DIY. Just get one from a discount parts dealer like Tischer.

OBI_agent · 01-11-2008, 04:58 PM

Sad...what to do, can't avoid nature

LODOSS · 01-11-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Railgun

.

Poor thing.. I hope you gave him a new home just as nice as the multiroom enginebay.

Either that or you rail gunned it.

Xeloj · 01-11-2008, 05:58 PM

Did that rodent store corn in your engine compartment?

BK · 01-11-2008, 08:05 PM

That second shot is the top of a front strut, right? The last time I was cleaning, I noticed a couple of acorns all broken apart up in that exact same location, and I was wondering how the heck it could have gotten there. It's not like it could have fallen in and broken all apart like that. I think I know the answer now. I'll have to keep an eye out for any chewing or nesting.

BMWDAD · 01-11-2008, 08:23 PM

On a former lease, I had to pay for a heat shield because it was half eaten.

cgpublic · 01-11-2008, 09:30 PM

...since you're dealing with either mice or squirrels. In NYC, rats are big issue for engine damage, street or garage. Just more good reason for making the move to the suburbs!

DANMACINSD · 01-11-2008, 09:36 PM

I had the same problem last winter with my wife's Honda Odyssey. I went to use the windshield washer and nothing came out, I filled it up and noticed the engine bay was all wet with washer fluid. Further inspection revealed a chewed washer fluid hose and a little bit of chewing on the heat shield. Dealer replaced for free and said it was common occurence in winter. SA said stuff a couple of bounty sheets in engine bay (in safe area) and it will deter them. I did, and haven't had a problem since.

E90ice · 01-11-2008, 09:39 PM

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 01-11-2008, 10:14 PM

OMG! Is that a freaking squirel under your hood still!?!

SantaClawz · 01-12-2008, 02:58 AM

TAssssssssty

jim328xi · 01-12-2008, 11:51 AM

chipmunk - black stripes

MTV · 01-12-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeloj

Did that rodent store corn in your engine compartment?

After a good hour of driving around, it'll be popcorn!

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 01-12-2008, 02:10 PM

^hahaha

cn555ic · 01-12-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Railgun

It was a mouse. And that's bird seed. LOTS of bird seed.

you had that in your car??? Thats crazy!!!

MTV · 01-12-2008, 03:15 PM

Those rodents are hard workers!

Intrinsic · 01-12-2008, 05:49 PM

I was filling my wiper fluid and there was the warm, fluffy nest, chipmunks and all. Both got a new home at the gas station.

I now check the engine compartment with every fill-up. I also don't park in our garage as much - place is infested with the little buggers, particularly during our cold winters in New England.

One thought of my wife's was to build them a perfect nest in the garage so they aren't tempted by the warm engine compartment, but so far they haven't returned. Perhaps the gas station treates them better.

Good luck.

AwLegacyGT · 01-12-2008, 07:18 PM

Well I guess I don't feel quiet so bad anymore. With all the junk boxes out there to live in, I guess I would choose a bimmer too if I was a chipmunk.

LEDZEP · 01-12-2008, 07:22 PM

Chewed up the heat sheild?? Oh no!! When you re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, that's going to be a problem!!

I would recommend a thorough inspection of the entire engine compartment to be sure no wires or hoses have been chewed. Any sign of damage and it shoud be replaced. A wire chewed "almost through" can be a fire someday....

AwLegacyGT · 01-12-2008, 07:28 PM

The dealership told me they did a thorough inspection, but I guess I should go ahead and take a looksie myself.

Who do I need to PM here to see about getting a heat-shield? 175 seems a bit inflated, but I would not be surprised.

Steven335xi · 02-27-2008, 11:21 AM

This happened to me this morning. I popped the hood to add some windshield washer fluid, only to find a big pile of foam on top of the air box.

WTF...

I took the shop vac and cleaned up the mess, only to find the little SOB pissed all over the cover too.

I found a replacement part on realoem, for $39. What a PITA

01-11-2008, 04:39 PM	#1
AwLegacyGT Private First Class 7 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Sedan Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Yarmouth, Maine iTrader: (0)	Rodent Problem! I purchased my car about 2 months before I came home from Japan. While it sat I think a squirrel or mouse chewed up the heat shield on the underside of the hood. Has anyone else had this problem? I took it to the dealership and was quoted 175 for parts. I'll take pictures in the morning if anyone cares to see. __________________ 07 E90 328xi 6MT Sparkling Graphite/Sport/Xenon/KW V3/Blacklines
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01-11-2008, 04:49 PM	#2
stressdoc Moderator 618 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	This happens a lot. Mice make nests out of it. Problem is when they chew on more vital parts, or put their nest where it will start a fire. Mice like to make stashes of dog food in the warm engine compartment that they steal from my dog's bowls in the garage. I have to set a few traps every winter. The part is an easy DIY. Just get one from a discount parts dealer like Tischer. __________________ My recent ED photos: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1026808 my not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279
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01-11-2008, 04:58 PM	#3
OBI_agent D to the X to the B! 345 Rep 2,106 Posts Drives: ABS,American bargain supercar Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dubai iTrader: (0)	Sad...what to do, can't avoid nature
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01-11-2008, 05:58 PM	#5
Xeloj Banned 22 Rep 593 Posts Drives: 2008 E90, 2006 E60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Orange, California - Orange County aka The OC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 525i [0.00] 2008 328i [0.00]	Did that rodent store corn in your engine compartment?
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01-11-2008, 08:05 PM	#6
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	That second shot is the top of a front strut, right? The last time I was cleaning, I noticed a couple of acorns all broken apart up in that exact same location, and I was wondering how the heck it could have gotten there. It's not like it could have fallen in and broken all apart like that. I think I know the answer now. I'll have to keep an eye out for any chewing or nesting. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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01-11-2008, 08:23 PM	#7
BMWDAD Captain 96 Rep 755 Posts Drives: 2017 Porsche Macan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Richmond, Va. iTrader: (0)	On a former lease, I had to pay for a heat shield because it was half eaten.
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01-11-2008, 09:30 PM	#8
cgpublic Lieutenant 22 Rep 508 Posts Drives: 2015 A3 2.0T Quattro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brooklyn to Bronxville iTrader: (0)	Rest easy... ...since you're dealing with either mice or squirrels. In NYC, rats are big issue for engine damage, street or garage. Just more good reason for making the move to the suburbs! __________________ Present: 2015 Audi A3 2.0T Quattro \| Scuba Blue \| Sport Past: 2011 E90 335 xDrive (March Build) \| Deep Sea Blue \| Saddle Brown \| Brushed Aluminum Packages & Options: Premium \| Sport \| Cold Weather \| BMW Apps, iDrive & iPod Past: 2008 E90 328xi \| Montego Blue \| Dakota Black \| Brushed Aluminum Packages & Options: Premium \| Sport \| Xenon \| CA \| Heated Seats \| iPod
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01-11-2008, 09:36 PM	#9
DANMACINSD First Lieutenant 46 Rep 324 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 535i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SAN DIEGO iTrader: (1)	I had the same problem last winter with my wife's Honda Odyssey. I went to use the windshield washer and nothing came out, I filled it up and noticed the engine bay was all wet with washer fluid. Further inspection revealed a chewed washer fluid hose and a little bit of chewing on the heat shield. Dealer replaced for free and said it was common occurence in winter. SA said stuff a couple of bounty sheets in engine bay (in safe area) and it will deter them. I did, and haven't had a problem since. __________________ 13 535i Msport
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01-11-2008, 09:39 PM	#10
E90ice Banned 205 Rep 2,002 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	__________________
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01-11-2008, 10:14 PM	#11
PaulBailey@ltbmw General 663 Rep 26,878 Posts Drives: 2-325 330 2-335 2-Z4 2-135 X5d Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (34) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E90 [7.00] 2011 BMW 335i E92 [7.96]	OMG! Is that a freaking squirel under your hood still!?!
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01-12-2008, 02:58 AM	#12
SantaClawz First Lieutenant 18 Rep 300 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ventura iTrader: (2)	TAssssssssty __________________ ROLLING STOCK
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01-12-2008, 11:51 AM	#13
jim328xi New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2008 328xi Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	chipmunk - black stripes
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01-12-2008, 02:10 PM	#15
PaulBailey@ltbmw General 663 Rep 26,878 Posts Drives: 2-325 330 2-335 2-Z4 2-135 X5d Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (34) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E90 [7.00] 2011 BMW 335i E92 [7.96]	^hahaha
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01-12-2008, 03:15 PM	#17
MTV Banned 241 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: E60 M5, Volvo S60R Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1)	Those rodents are hard workers!
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01-12-2008, 05:49 PM	#18
Intrinsic New Member 1 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Same problem - blame the winter I was filling my wiper fluid and there was the warm, fluffy nest, chipmunks and all. Both got a new home at the gas station. I now check the engine compartment with every fill-up. I also don't park in our garage as much - place is infested with the little buggers, particularly during our cold winters in New England. One thought of my wife's was to build them a perfect nest in the garage so they aren't tempted by the warm engine compartment, but so far they haven't returned. Perhaps the gas station treates them better. Good luck.
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01-12-2008, 07:18 PM	#19
AwLegacyGT Private First Class 7 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Sedan Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Yarmouth, Maine iTrader: (0)	Well I guess I don't feel quiet so bad anymore. With all the junk boxes out there to live in, I guess I would choose a bimmer too if I was a chipmunk. __________________ 07 E90 328xi 6MT Sparkling Graphite/Sport/Xenon/KW V3/Blacklines
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01-12-2008, 07:22 PM	#20
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Chewed up the heat sheild?? Oh no!! When you re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, that's going to be a problem!! I would recommend a thorough inspection of the entire engine compartment to be sure no wires or hoses have been chewed. Any sign of damage and it shoud be replaced. A wire chewed "almost through" can be a fire someday.... __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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01-12-2008, 07:28 PM	#21
AwLegacyGT Private First Class 7 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Sedan Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Yarmouth, Maine iTrader: (0)	The dealership told me they did a thorough inspection, but I guess I should go ahead and take a looksie myself. Who do I need to PM here to see about getting a heat-shield? 175 seems a bit inflated, but I would not be surprised. __________________ 07 E90 328xi 6MT Sparkling Graphite/Sport/Xenon/KW V3/Blacklines
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02-27-2008, 11:21 AM	#22
Steven335xi New Member 0 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335xi Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Omaha, NE iTrader: (1)	This happened to me this morning. I popped the hood to add some windshield washer fluid, only to find a big pile of foam on top of the air box. WTF... I took the shop vac and cleaned up the mess, only to find the little SOB pissed all over the cover too. I found a replacement part on realoem, for $39. What a PITA Attached Images __________________ 2008 E92 335xi Jet Black/Black Dakota/Cold Weather/Premium/Sport/Steptronic w/paddles/Comfort Access Mods: Dual Exhaust, Rear Fogs, GP Thunder 7500k Cornering & Halo Last edited by Steven335xi; 02-27-2008 at 06:00 PM..
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