4S-Rodents--WTF!!!$$$$

Took my ride into the dealer for the check engine light and was informed at 4:30pm that rodents have been eating away at several harness located in the engine compartment. WTF! Harness has to be made in Germany (2 months min) and shipped over to U.S) Engine has to be dropped...Service advisor said auto insurance should cover this, I hope. Anyone experience this. Feel so alone and about to hit a 12 pack....

No,... no rodents where I live can get inside my engine bay WTF? Besides wouldn't they burn by the engine case and wires etc?

You would think so. I heard it's better to have rat traps instead of the poison because once they eat the poison, they will search far and near for H20! Just a freak thing..It's not like we live in the woods or jungle. Condo complex.

Had that in my Touareg. I've heard of cars written off due to this as the repair costs were $15k plus. Cheers Aaron

What a nightmare. Does your car sit for long periods of time without being driven?

...insurance will cover it... The Germans should really work on producing unpalatable harnesses... _______________________ My BBS wheels are FS here: 18" BBS RS-GTs (600 miles from new)

Rodents look for warmth in the colder months. What better place than the engine bay of a just driven car? Got rats a plenty around here. Never park out in the open in the driveway. So far, so good.

Had this issue in my E36 M3. My mech found a used harness at a salvage yard. If my car sits for long periods of time I enclose my car in a Rhino pocket which are said to be rodent proof.... Jason

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Quote: The car is driven at least once a week. The longest it will sit is maybe 2 weeks. I might have to look into this Rhino pocket or something similar. How much do these run$ So far the dealer has quoted $13K but may go up once the engine is dropped. I don't think dealers can use a harness off a salvaged 911, part must be new. (2 month wait from Germany--To be made) For the insurance company to write it off wouldn't the cost have to exceed the blue book value?

Thanks for your responses and support! I thought I was alone until I read some of your post, and positive responses. Good support group!

I have the same problem in my Titan which is parked outside..damn rats made a nest next to the manifold...PITA...to remove the twigs & leaves...one got BBQ..sick

funny this was mentioned, a friend had this happen to his mercedes. Cost 10k for repair.

Am I obligated to this dealership to have them correct my current mess? Do most auto insurances want an authorized dealership to work on the cars, even with inflated $$$$$? Thanks again! If anyone has any suggestions or shops they can suggest I would be very appreciative. Thanks again..

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Quote: Do you have an aftermarket warranty? You should be able to take your car anywhere you want, predicated on the terms of your warranty. When I still had an aftermarket warranty, I had repairs done at a dealer AND at an independent shop...totally at my discretion. But if its under warranty, and you are only out your deductible, then why not have the dealer fix it? Unless I am missing something. Also, you should check out the following independent shops: Scientific Automotive in Pasadena (went there for years when I lived in the area but have not lived in the area since 1992), and Callas Rennsport in Torrance. Callas was good to me from 03 to 04, when I moved away. If I still lived in the south bay area, I would still be patronizing Callas Rennsport. Tony and Tom (at Callas) were not happy to deal with my warranty company, but they always did this for me.

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Quote: Yes I have an extended warranty, but unfortunately it doesn't cover rodents eating away at my harness. Most likely my auto insurance will pay for the fix.

If you haven't already, I would connect with your insurance company immediately and not count on your service advisor for advice regarding your personal auto coverage. I see some serious phone time with your insurance company in your near future and once you are clear on what they will cover then you can make a decision on who will repair your car. I would imagine you already have an estimate from the dealer for repair costs? I would submit that to your insurance company. If its a go, then I don't see why you wouldn't have them work on it. If the estimate for repairs is not approved by your insurance company, then it makes sense to go to an independent shop. Who normally works on your car? A dealership? The dealership where your car is now? I wouldn't have a biased service advisor act as the intermediary between you and your insurance company until after you have decided who is going to be doing the repair. I would maintain as much autonomy in this potentially complicated situation as possible.

Insurance adjuster is coming out this week. Hopefully the adjuster give the green light and the dealer can order the harness from Germany. Won't be until March til I get to drive my Pcar. Should I have the dealer perform any additional service on my engine since they have to drop it anyways? Any suggestions? As of now I have 33K miles. Hopefully 2011 will be a better year for my 911..Ordering the Rhino full car cover next month. Any other brands you can advice on? Thanks..And Rodent traps!!! The ones that snap the neck!~!!!

Update: Porsche dealer is working on my vehicle, but the wait for a new engine harness from Porsche (Germany) takes between 6-8 weeks to make and deliver harness. Dealer adjusted their initial estimate to match what my insurance company will pay. Almost 1/2 of the original estimate. Maybe this dealer is hurting for business, because I was ready to pickup my ride and find an independent shop. Now is the agony of waiting and waiting and waiting...

Until today I was really miffed that the cat from next door left foot prints on my car every day. I often catch the little bugger sleeping on my engine cover when the weather is cold and the engine is nice and toasty. It turn out - that's probably a good thing! I just wish he could jump on at the back instead of jumping on the hood and climbing up the windshield to get to the back...

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Quote: That little cat is probably the best defense against nite critters invading your car! I'd trade footprints to an eaten engine harness any day! Mechanic said he see's this a lot with people living in PV, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and mountain areas. Porsche must coat the harness with peanut butter or something.

Glad to hear everything worked out for you. The wait sux, but at least it's being covered.

good thing they didn't get inside the car too! i had a car a few years ago and during winter storage mice got inside the car and made a mess of the interior!

...After nearly 8 weeks without my ride, the dealer called and said the car is done! Can't wait to pick her up. Heading to Home depot first to pickup those Rodent traps to avoid this from happening again.(Going with both the traditional traps and electrical ones to fricken zap those *uckers!) Then it's testing out the Rhino full car cover!

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Quote: I had this problem with my daily commuting car which I park outside----until I sprinkled cayenne pepper on top of the engine manifold. the f-kers never showed up again. Every time I wash the car I sprinkle cayenne pepper on top of the manifold. Never had the problem again...

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Quote: Will do the same with the pepper! Sprinkle some on the engine and below on the garage floor.

9 weeks, $10K in damage and my car is back to normal! Nice to finally be able to drive and see my ride in the garage! As of now I'm going to triple protect my 911 with: RHino car cover, Electric Rodent Zapper, Moth ***** in pantyhose inserted into engine compartment, (mechanic suggested it) to fight against these things! I just have to remember to remove the moth ***** before speeding off. Now to treat my baby to a nice oil change and detail.