RAT? Chewed thru EVAP can vent tube 90deg silicone rubber elbow coupling and Dealer Invoiced $154.50 for part!

[ATestBishop]

Interesting day today, so was working under the truck and noticed the EVAP canister vent tube elbow fitting was truly chewed up, almost in half and multiple holes thru, surprised there was anything left of it... So I go to the dealer asking about Ford warranty support and they hemmed and hawed and everything else with a song and dance routine and wouldn't even reach out on my behalf to Ford... They wanted $154.50 for the silicone rubber 90deg elbow! I didn't dare ask how much they would charge to "professionally" install it, but probably between $250-400 labor.. I took care of it myself the right way with a reputable aftermarket 3rd party PCV elbow tube and worm clamps needless to say... but wow that was a real eye opener at that dealership. I can really see myself choosing aftermarket OEM style parts when they become available because there is no way a rubber elbow should cost $154.50 just to get my new Ranger back to OEM. Photos included are in chronological order. IF the rat chew was after I took delivery which I'm not sure of, I'll decide how to resolve it potentially happening again. Thankfully under inspection the engine bay and undercarriage look un-chewed elsewhere

Sponsored

 

[Gary Brantley]

Wow, that's the suck. Rat's can really cost you. A rat(s?) got ujnder the control panel of my Kubota tractor and ate the wiring right up to the computer. Replacing the entire wiring harness and fuel sending unit (damaged as well) ended up around $3400. It had been parked in a semi-open shed and now it's left out in the open. And, I now have two rodent repellers wired to the battery that have worked to keep them away. I feel your pain, brother.

 

[ATestBishop]

Appreciate that, yeah I'm setting traps, maybe setting poison and looking to a electronic repellent device along with liquid ammonia possibly. I still need to look even more closely to make sure the damage is accounted for...

 

[tvaccaro599]

Wow, that's the suck. Rat's can really cost you. A rat(s?) got ujnder the control panel of my Kubota tractor and ate the wiring right up to the computer. Replacing the entire wiring harness and fuel sending unit (damaged as well) ended up around $3400. It had been parked in a semi-open shed and now it's left out in the open. And, I now have two rodent repellers wired to the battery that have worked to keep them away. I feel your pain, brother.

Could you provide details on the rodent repeller? I literally just finished cleaning a mouse nest out of my cabin filter, blower motor with debris throughout the vents on my other car (not the ranger.)

 

[Gary Brantley]

Could you provide details on the rodent repeller? I literally just finished cleaning a mouse nest out of my cabin filter, blower motor with debris throughout the vents on my other car (not the ranger.)

Sure can. I bought two in October of '23 and they're still soldiering on. They will drain the battery if it's not started periodically, though. With two of them wired up, I also have installed a small solar-powered trickle-charger on the tractor and that helps offset the repeller drain. Still, I try to not go more than two weeks between using the tractor. I've recently installed another one on my Yamaha Wolverine ATV because rats got into it too. Here's what I'm using:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D118ZRJ?ref_=pe_125775000_1044873430_t_fed_asin_title

 

[ATestBishop]

Thank you, I've had the base NOCO battery tender for years and I now connect it to my truck to keep battery charged over time

 

[gmpetrie]

I used these for a couple years now and I park outside and rats are endemic where I live. I haven’t had any evidence of rodent activity once I installed these.

These also will turn off automatically if the battery charge drops.

Under Hood Animal Car Repeller... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LCKBGY8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[Gary Brantley]

I used these for a couple years now and I park outside and rats are endemic where I live. I haven’t had any evidence of rodent activity once I installed these.

These also will turn off automatically if the battery charge drops.

Under Hood Animal Car Repeller... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LCKBGY8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Those sound like a good idea; bad link, though. ?

 

[ATestBishop]

Yeah I checked the link but didn't work for me, appreciate it though

 

[gmpetrie]

second try. Hope this link works:

https://a.co/d/hRWWy9T

 

[ATestBishop]

Yes! Thanks, I'm setting more poison bait out but I'm considering the electronics because this was a bad situation. One Ford employee said to spray high concentration ammonia all around but that might eat into materials...

 

[CoryB]

I’ve had good luck with, believe it or not, Irish Spring soap. I bought some sachet bags from Amazon and put a slice of soap in each one. There are three to four hung in various places under the hood. I haven’t seen any rodent evidence since then.

 

[ATestBishop]

Thanks! I remember I heard about that for deer. That I may try out

Sponsored