they did this at my place in Michigan they would lick the salt off the tires and sometimes wind up with a belly of PSi from the tire when they bit thru the rubber . we would find a dead one every now and then in the garage . and what PMO the most is when they ate thru a tractor tire that was filled with chloride . neighbor told me a old way to prevent it was the hottest pepper sauce mixed with water sprayed on the looms . unless your dealing with speedy gonzales then the loom is doomed !
The ultimate critter vehicle damage occurs when you're parked at a remote trailhead with a tiny radiator hose leak. Antifreeze attracts marmots that will chew through the hose and leave you stranded. PS...you'll have a dead marmot under the car! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Here in Tucson, Az we have a problem with pack rats. They will eat all the insulation off the wires and then build a home with just about anything available. They can literally fill an engine bay full. Best way to prevent this is to put a small light under the engine on the ground. Apparently they don't like light. It works. The other alternative is to leave the hood open a few inches. It works but not as well as the light. I use a cfl (twisty bulb, fluorescent, etc), they don't die when splashed with water. Matt
I work with modern OT hondas (don't shoot me) and they have this problem bad. BUT the good news is there are products that stop it cold. There are two types, one mentioned above is a wrap on cover and the other is a paint on type. They both work with "capsaicin" the juice from HOT peppers. All they do is get put on and the critters can't stand the taste or smell of the capsaicin and leave the wires alone. You could probably buy some hot peppers and make your own but it wouldn't be fun.
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