Rats on my Hemi!!

[MAGNUM8R]

My Magnum R/T is at the Dealer for Spark Plug replacement at 34K miles.
They just called to inform me that one of the plug wires is chewed trough by a rat!! They found some droppings in there also. Probably why my horn no longer works also!! The wire is to one of the secondary (exhaust) plugs so it will run OK when I wait for the replacment wire ($22.00 for 1 wire!!)

Turns out my nieghbor finally cleaned his rat infested garage and the displaced rodents made it over to my garage!!

Anyone know if fabric softner sheets are actually effective in keeping rats out of confined spaces. My Great Dane has killed one of the little varmints, I may have to get a new cat, we lost our big boy about 6 months ago to old age, he was a master hunter!!

RATS!! Man, I'm bummed!!

[vvv90]

POISON and lots of it!!! Just keep any animals you have out of the garage.

[MoparStore]

Use a piece of slim jim on a rat trap.

If the trap doesnt kill them, the slim jim will..

[Mad Magnum]

I have used fabric softener in my motorhome effectively but moth balls with naptha work like nothing else. I would rather keep the critters away instead of killing them where I can't easily reach them.

Dave
'05 RT

[SoCal_Magnum]

ok, that is disgusting...I would have to go over and "have a talk" with your neighbor man

[Hemi31]

I use the fabric sheets inside the car,I don't know about under the hood though.

[northeastern08]

Thankfully Ive never had to deal with this...not many rats here on Long Island...or at least where I live on the island

In Boston there are plenty, but Im on the 13th floor there, so not much of a problem

[bipto]

Can't blame the rats though - must be nice & warm on the Hemi...

[DawsonMagnum]

It's all fun and games until someone turns over the ignition while the big wharf rat is still sitting on top of the radiator fan.

This happened to my dad's old dodge back in the mid 70's. The engine bay was soaked with blood and there were lots of little rat chunks on the ground underneath the car. I'm sure a few chunks were wedged into some not-so-easy-to-reach places.

[bipto]

...I'm sure a few chunks were wedged into some not-so-easy-to-reach places.

LOL - and undoubtedly remained there baking for the life of the car!

As my daughter so eloquently puts it - EEEeeeewwww!!! :lol:

[MAGNUM8R]

Got some rat advice from my pest control Co. I am on a rat patrol when I get home from work!!
Meantime, picked up the Magnum R/T at the Dealer, actually quite happy with the service.
Rio Rancho Dodge Pomona, CA. Service Advisor: Jason Bauman
Detail of work performed:
Replaced 16 Spark Plugs, checked timing, idle

R/R all 4 wheels for a brake inspection per my request. Result is 6/32" pad on fronts and 7/32" pad on rears remaining.

Enabled DRL's

Performed software reflash/reprogram controller with latest software.

Discovered the rat chewed sparkplug wire and ordered a new one. (cost $21.95) Secondary plug (exhaust side) Car runs fine for now.

Ordered new horn (Warranty)

Lubricated all busings in the suspension Front and rear.

Discovered cause of noise when making a hard left turn: Gibson header bolt hitting frame. I hope to have this corrected when Gibson install the cat back as early as next week and replace the development headers with a production set.
Total cost parts/ Labor: $325.33
The original quote was $305 for just the plugs (Tune Up)

Needless to say, I am pleased with the work and feel I got a decent deal for the work performed OH,they washed her up pretty nice too!!

[boggart]

$300 to replace plugs???? Are they in some magical hard to reach spot requiring pulling the engine or something?

[iRock]

Is there any dog food handy? Don't let this happen to you.

[Magne300Csium]

I had a rat problem as well. Ate through part of a wiring harness and triggered a CEL.

[COLORADOMAGNUM]

I run the parts department at a Denver area import dealer and we get about 3-4 cars per year with rodent damage. Usually when the weather starts getting cold. Friggin' vermin chew through wires and can build a nest inside the heater box. We've seen more than one car come in with problems like IRock linked to in her post. It's friggin' disgusting.