• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Rodent ate my hood blanket

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ryuk
  • Start date Start date Mar 6, 2021
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

Ryuk

I love your drawers
5 Year Member
Apr 22, 2017
1,685
1,605
133
Mar 6, 2021
#1
  • Mar 6, 2021
  • #1
Sometime in the last 2 months some rodent decided my engine would be a great place for a nest. I had it outside so I could get my garage squared away. Now my original hood blanket is ruined. Just pisses me off.

 
Reactions: 2Blue2

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,255
17,939
224
Massachusetts
Mar 6, 2021
#2
  • Mar 6, 2021
  • #2
That sucks.

the part number for them is E7ZZ-16738-A


Ford only recently discontinued them so you can try searching and seeing if anyone has any remaining inventory.
 
Last edited: Mar 17, 2021

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Mar 6, 2021
#3
  • Mar 6, 2021
  • #3
I hope it left your wiring alone. And I hope the fiberglass gave it a stomach ache.
 
Reactions: Gs1987GT and 2Blue2

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 7, 2002
9,531
5,187
224
Mar 6, 2021
#4
  • Mar 6, 2021
  • #4
Ryuk said:
Sometime in the last 2 months some rodent decided my engine would be a great place for a nest. I had it outside so I could get my garage squared away. Now my original hood blanket is ruined. Just pisses me off.

Click to expand...

7991LXnSHO said:
I hope it left your wiring alone. And I hope the fiberglass gave it a stomach ache.
Click to expand...


This. Check the hell out of your wiring. The last thing you need is a rodent-induced short leaving you stranded or starting a fire.

View attachment 673118

I'm waiting on the customer's insurance company to approve this one, it'll be my fourth wiring harness replacement in the last two months due to rodent damage. One of the others got a hood blanket too, this one will be getting an EVAP line and headlight vents as well.

I can't emphasize enough how much you need to check the wiring over.
 
Reactions: Ryuk and 2Blue2

2Blue2

will be trying this sex one when I can find it
Mod Dude
Mar 5, 2019
4,430
2,893
163
Oahu
Mar 6, 2021
#5
  • Mar 6, 2021
  • #5
Rat Bastards!
 

Ryuk

I love your drawers
5 Year Member
Apr 22, 2017
1,685
1,605
133
Mar 6, 2021
#6
  • Mar 6, 2021
  • #6
MustangIIMatt said:
This. Check the hell out of your wiring. The last thing you need is a rodent-induced short leaving you stranded or starting a fire.

View attachment 673118

I'm waiting on the customer's insurance company to approve this one, it'll be my fourth wiring harness replacement in the last two months due to rodent damage. One of the others got a hood blanket too, this one will be getting an EVAP line and headlight vents as well.

I can't emphasize enough how much you need to check the wiring over.
Click to expand...
I looked over the wiring and didn't see anything awry. From the looks of it, the little rat bastard* either just got started or died before it got too far. We did discover a few rats in the yard when they started clearing the lot 2 doors down. I suspect that's when this happened. We killed six at the base of Sabal palm that I saw when mowing and put out bait that's gone untouched since then.

I used to have rat terriers. They would've never let this happen, but the stupid springer spaniel thinks lizards are out biggest concern.

* H/T @2Blue2
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Mar 6, 2021
#7
  • Mar 6, 2021
  • #7
Spaniels are bird dogs. There’s your problem. Do you have a nearby cat lady? Bribing a friendly cat to hang out here has helped.
 
Reactions: Gs1987GT, 2Blue2 and Ryuk

Ryuk

I love your drawers
5 Year Member
Apr 22, 2017
1,685
1,605
133
Mar 6, 2021
#8
  • Mar 6, 2021
  • #8
7991LXnSHO said:
Spaniels are bird dogs. There’s your problem. Do you have a nearby cat lady? Bribing a friendly cat to hang out here has helped.
Click to expand...
We've only seen a rat a couple of times over the years. We have neighbors with horses, pigs, and chickens, but sadly no cats.

I'm going to just make room in the garage. Hopefully I'll sell the 70 one of these days so I don't have to juggle space.
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Mar 6, 2021
#9
  • Mar 6, 2021
  • #9
MustangIIMatt said:
This. Check the hell out of your wiring. The last thing you need is a rodent-induced short leaving you stranded or starting a fire.

View attachment 673118

I'm waiting on the customer's insurance company to approve this one, it'll be my fourth wiring harness replacement in the last two months due to rodent damage. One of the others got a hood blanket too, this one will be getting an EVAP line and headlight vents as well.

I can't emphasize enough how much you need to check the wiring over.
Click to expand...
Hopefully the car is parked in an enclosed, dry storage place. If that is the case, here's a fix for your rodent problem.
It's time to go down to the Humane Society and adopt the biggest, meanest looking cat you can find.
Have it nurtured or fixed so that it doesn't roam off or have a bunch of kittens. Put the cat's food and water bowl near the car. The cat will lean to hang around the car to catch whatever varmints gather around to eat the cat's food and drink the water.

I have 4 cats and there are no chipmunks, mice, moles or stupid birds (lots of smart one though) in my yard. There are no snakes longer that 12" . All these varmints are food or play toys for the cats. I have a gray and white boy cat who is a Georgia bobtail cat, a species unique to Middle Georgia where I live. There is a pet door for the cats and my wife's small dog by the kitchen table. Every once in a while, I'll see a gray and white flash streak through the pet door and head for the bathroom. He will have captured, a bird, a, lizard, a chipmunk or some other small critter that I must liberate before he has partially devoured it and left a mess in the bathtub.
 
Last edited: Mar 6, 2021
Reactions: Gs1987GT, Ryuk and General karthief

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 7, 2002
9,531
5,187
224
Mar 6, 2021
#10
  • Mar 6, 2021
  • #10
jrichker said:
Hopefully the car is parked in an enclosed, dry storage place. If that is the case, here's a fix for your rodent problem.
It's time to go down to the Humane Society and adopt the biggest, meanest looking cat you can find.
Have it nurtured or fixed so that it doesn't roam off or have a bunch of kittens. Put the cat's food and water bowl near the car. The cat will lean to hang around the car to catch whatever varmints gather around to eat the cat's food and drink the water.

I have 4 cats and there are no chipmunks, mice, moles or stupid birds (lots of smart one though) in my yard. There are no snakes longer that 12" . All these varmints are food or play toys for the cats. I have a gray and white boy cat who is a Georgia bobtail cat, a species unique to Middle Georgia where I live. There is a pet door for the cats and my wife's small dog by the kitchen table. Every once in a while, I'll see a gray and white flash streak through the pet door and head for the bathroom. He will have captured, a bird, a, lizard, a chipmunk or some other small critter that I must liberate before he has partially devoured it and left a mess in the bathtub.
Click to expand...
I just fix the customer's cars, I don't control where they park them.
 
Reactions: General karthief

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Mar 7, 2021
#11
  • Mar 7, 2021
  • #11
@jrichker and if one likes friendly animals, this is a good way to have a shop assistant and no inside litter box. The one time my plan failed was when it was so cold last month and the neighbor kept her outdoor cats inside.
Edit: we already decided with the neighbor that if she neighbor moves (into a care facility or in with her son), this cat stays.
@MustangIIMatt have you heard anything lately about the pepper spray some oem’s were suggesting for their wiring?
 

Attachments

  • 3430FE05-BDB3-4FB0-A2DE-58C82093E38E.webp
    681.9 KB · Views: 180
Last edited: Mar 7, 2021
Reactions: Gs1987GT and 2Blue2
B

Bird76Mojo

5 Year Member
Jul 12, 2018
66
38
28
Central Illinois
Mar 13, 2021
#12
  • Mar 13, 2021
  • #12
Glue traps my dude.. Glue traps. I don't care how cruel anyone thinks they are. They work! I buy the thin posterboard variety and leave them flat instead of folding them into a square tube. Couple them with a little peanut butter and you can have an area mouse-free in a couple days. If you're seeing evidence of one mouse then you've got at least 2 or 3 normally. Also, 5 gallon bucket mouse traps work wonders.. The key is to keep at it for long enough that you take out the breeding age adults. Then you can cut down on the amount of traps you have around.

You learn this stuff quickly living on a farm. That is, if you want to have anything stay nice and stay functioning correctly. The way I see it is it's them or me, and I WILL WIN.

The bad thing about your car now is that even if you catch the rodent that did it, IF it was a mouse, it's left a microscopic urine trail that other mice will be compelled to follow for generations. They'll ALL follow that trail and chew in the same areas, and it takes a loooong time for that urine trail to disappear. Even washing it thoroughly doesn't completely get rid of it.

The damage in your case is large enough that I'd bet it was a ground squirrel or possibly a regular squirrel. Maybe even a rat. Regular deer/field/house mice don't normally do that much damage, but squirrels do.
 
Last edited: Mar 13, 2021

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 7, 2002
9,531
5,187
224
Mar 13, 2021
#13
  • Mar 13, 2021
  • #13
Bird76Mojo said:
Glue traps my dude.. Glue traps. I don't care how cruel anyone thinks they are. They work! I buy the thin posterboard variety and leave them flat instead of folding them into a square tube. Couple them with a little peanut butter and you can have an area mouse-free in a couple days. If you're seeing evidence of one mouse then you've got at least 2 or 3 normally. Also, 5 gallon bucket mouse traps work wonders.. The key is to keep at it for long enough that you take out the breeding age adults. Then you can cut down on the amount of traps you have around.

You learn this stuff quickly living on a farm. That is, if you want to have anything stay nice and stay functioning correctly. The way I see it is it's them or me, and I WILL WIN.

The bad thing about your car now is that even if you catch the rodent that did it, IF it was a mouse, it's left a microscopic urine trail that other mice will be compelled to follow for generations. They'll ALL follow that trail and chew in the same areas, and it takes a loooong time for that urine trail to disappear. Even washing it thoroughly doesn't completely get rid of it.

The damage in your case is large enough that I'd bet it was a ground squirrel or possibly a regular squirrel. Maybe even a rat. Regular deer/field/house mice don't normally do that much damage, but squirrels do.
Click to expand...
A pressure washer and some Purple Power works wonders for the urine trail (which can be seen using a blacklight). That's what I follow up with at the dealership after I repair the damage.
 
Reactions: Gs1987GT, General karthief and 7991LXnSHO
B

Bird76Mojo

5 Year Member
Jul 12, 2018
66
38
28
Central Illinois
Mar 13, 2021
#14
  • Mar 13, 2021
  • #14
MustangIIMatt said:
A pressure washer and some Purple Power works wonders for the urine trail (which can be seen using a blacklight). That's what I follow up with at the dealership after I repair the damage.
Click to expand...
The trail you can see...
 

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 7, 2002
9,531
5,187
224
Mar 13, 2021
#15
  • Mar 13, 2021
  • #15
Bird76Mojo said:
The trail you can see...
Click to expand...
That's what the blacklight is for. Rodent urine glows like you wouldn't believe under a UV light.
 
B

Bird76Mojo

5 Year Member
Jul 12, 2018
66
38
28
Central Illinois
Mar 13, 2021
#16
  • Mar 13, 2021
  • #16
MustangIIMatt said:
That's what the blacklight is for. Rodent urine glows like you wouldn't believe under a UV light.
Click to expand...
I meant that there's places they go throughout a vehicle where a light won't shine, and it's difficult or nearly impossible to wash.
 

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 7, 2002
9,531
5,187
224
Mar 13, 2021
#17
  • Mar 13, 2021
  • #17
Bird76Mojo said:
I meant that there's places they go throughout a vehicle where a light won't shine, and it's difficult or nearly impossible to wash.
Click to expand...
This is true, but I find getting most of it is good prevention against repeat issues.
 

Ryuk

I love your drawers
5 Year Member
Apr 22, 2017
1,685
1,605
133
Mar 14, 2021
#18
  • Mar 14, 2021
  • #18
We have squirrels all over the yard. That was my first thought, but those few rats got me thinking.

I might have found a source for OEM hood pads. I ordered a couple, so we'll see.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,925
10,572
203
polk county florida
Mar 14, 2021
#19
  • Mar 14, 2021
  • #19
Is your source a secret?
 

Ryuk

I love your drawers
5 Year Member
Apr 22, 2017
1,685
1,605
133
Mar 15, 2021
#20
  • Mar 15, 2021
  • #20
General karthief said:
Is your source a secret?
Click to expand...
I'm waiting to find out if it's valid. It's supposed to be delivered on Wednesday. Once they actually deliver and I verify it's a Ford OEM, I'll post a link.
 
Reactions: 2Blue2 and General karthief
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Fox '87 GT can't get to stay running
  • spilly
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
27
Views
819
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
spilly
S
89 LX Electrical Troubles
  • fun331
  • Oct 25, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
353
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 27, 2025
fun331
Progress Thread 93 LX father son project
  • ZAM93LX
  • Oct 26, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 3, 2025
Scrapla347
B
Electrical Why does my fox body keep frying eecs
  • brandyn200
  • Jun 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
254
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 25, 2026
AeroCoupe
Z
Progress Thread zeth194 - New Guy on the Block
  • zeth194
  • Mar 19, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
10
Views
567
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 26, 2026
LILCBRA
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?