Rocks in engine bay

[bigb]

The last time I detailed an engine bay, which was just a few months ago on a TDI, I used this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002LBKCE?th=1

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[patc890]

Hello folks! Went to top off washer fluid and noticed a bunch of gravel all over the top of the engine. I was pretty surprised since I baby this truck and I do not go off-roading at all. It has rained a lot in the Bay Area and the right side of my driveway gets a little muddy (my driveway is narrow, so the right-side wheels dig up grass), so I added gravel to that side over the last week. I have a very short driveway, so I go slowly in and out.

My question is, could gravel get stuck to the tires when it was wet and then flick up into the engine when I turn the wheel driving off? It is the only thing I can think of. I will power wash this out tomorrow during the day but wanted to get the community's feedback.

Pictures below

I had squirrels do that under my hood at work years ago. They would build a nest using the insulation from the hood and ate wires and other parts all over. Chewed up my spark plug wires and ate through the ground wire on the battery. Cost over $1000(25 years ago). I was known at work as the guy who parked half a mile away and walked the rest. It was why I changed jobs. Check everything under there.

 

[Flak]

I had squirrels do that under my hood at work years ago. They would build a nest using the insulation from the hood and ate wires and other parts all over. Chewed up my spark plug wires and ate through the ground wire on the battery. Cost over $1000(25 years ago). I was known at work as the guy who parked half a mile away and walked the rest. It was why I changed jobs. Check everything under there.

Yea, rodents are bad news regardless of how cute their fur pattern is. I thankfully haven't had this issue (tons of friends/family have just luck of the draw with property/parking/etc.) but for example the anti-rust coating I get on my truck frames is peppermint scented to repel rodents so maybe it helps? I'm sure there have to be things you can do.

 

[patc890]

Yea, rodents are bad news regardless of how cute their fur pattern is. I thankfully haven't had this issue (tons of friends/family have just luck of the draw with property/parking/etc.) but for example the anti-rust coating I get on my truck frames is peppermint scented to repel rodents so maybe it helps? I'm sure there have to be things you can do.

I'm sure there are many things you can do. I just moved jobs and got rid of the truck. Nothing since.

 

[av8r]

Animals. Better stop that asap before they chomp up some wiring.

 

[CoastieN70]

Amazon.com: MouseBlocker 12V Ultrasonic Under Hood Mouse and Rodent Deterrent for Your Vehicle : Automotive

 

[patc890]

Amazon.com: MouseBlocker 12V Ultrasonic Under Hood Mouse and Rodent Deterrent for Your Vehicle : Automotive

I wonder if it really works?

 

[CoastieN70]

I wonder if it really works?

They have many success stories and have been around for a number of years...

 

[Flak]

It's amazon so buy it, if rocks reappear, return it (with the rocks so they know why)

 

[bigb]

Leaving the hood up works. They like that warm, dark cave on top of the engine, once you lift the roof off they have zero interest in setting up camp there.

 

[embedded rock]

Using this in the RR and the previous three vehicles. Box of two from Amazon for like $35.

 

[Aardvark]

I agree with Bruce - there is no chance I would go near the engine bay with a power-washer. Get the shopvac and follow up with a rag with some WD-40 on it or something. Water is never going to voluntarily get into my engine bay, certainly not power-washing...

 

[fordc51]

Critters, need to keep a ete under hood of my truck. J libe in the woods in Ga. A couple of years ago my old 93 f150 would barely run. My mechanic said a critter had got under the hood and chewed the coil wire, causing it to fowl the plugs. The coating on any original wiring Is in bac shape due to age.

 

[Epsilon Phui]

I bought some of this Honda anti-rodent tape when mice got under the seat of my ATV, built a nest and chewed up all the wiring. Wrapped all the wires of my Polaris Ranger too as soon as I saw some hay and a little bit of chewage.

Had them eat most of the fire wall insulation out of my 2005 Duramax over the 20 years of owning it too. It had a reputation of having an attractive odor.

Once I used this, never had an issue with chewing the wiring since. It has been in there for over 10 years now.

 

[MasterCylinder]

Hello folks! Went to top off washer fluid and noticed a bunch of gravel all over the top of the engine. I was pretty surprised since I baby this truck and I do not go off-roading at all. It has rained a lot in the Bay Area and the right side of my driveway gets a little muddy (my driveway is narrow, so the right-side wheels dig up grass), so I added gravel to that side over the last week. I have a very short driveway, so I go slowly in and out.

My question is, could gravel get stuck to the tires when it was wet and then flick up into the engine when I turn the wheel driving off? It is the only thing I can think of. I will power wash this out tomorrow during the day but wanted to get the community's feedback.

Pictures below

I'm not telling anyone what to do here but be forewarned from years of experience in electronics and auto repairs. Never power wash or pressure wash an engine bay area or you will induce problems down the road if you get away with it. Especially in today's electronically controlled everything under that hood. A de-greaser, brush for stubborn stuff and a gentle rise on shower mode from the garden hose is the trick. Like some have already suggested shop vac all the loose debris first, can even used some compressed air as log as its not cranked up to 200psi and clean her up. Leaf blower anyone? but not on turbo mode! Also never clean a hot engine (thermal shock) it should be at ambient temperature. Oh power washing will clean it up for sure but the risk far out weight the rewards!

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