I noticed that my windshield washers didn't work the last time I went to use them. When I looked under the hood tonight, I discovered that some critter had chewed through the hose that connects the washer nozzles on the hood to the body on my 4Runner. It looks like it started to chew on the hood liner in a couple of spots too. There was also a sizeable chunk of a dried weed and some lichen up near the valve assembly for the anti-lock brakes on the driver side fender where I can't believe it would get just driving down the road. (which happens to be right where the washer hose would be when the hood is closed) I'm wondering if something started to build a nest.

I keep my 4Runner in the garage at home. I spent 3 nights camping out in the last month - all 3 of them in different spots - so it wasn't like I parked it in one spot and just left it there.

I used to do a lot of hiking and climbing and don't remember a case where anything chewed on something under the hood in any vehicles. Some of these trips were a week long too.

I'm curious, has anyone else had something like this happen? Are Toyota rubber hoses particularly tasty to critters out in the woods? It could have been a real pain in the posterior or worse if whatever it was had chewed on something more important.

Alan

 

I never had this happen to me, but when we used to go out on Westpacks (6+ Month Tours) while I was in the Navy, a bunch of guys always used to put chicken wire under their cars just because of what you mentioned.

It seemed that rabbits love to chew on hoses and what not under the car, and consequently ruined quite a few rides.:alien:

 

Pepper spray
That ought to keep them at bay.
Spray under the hood. I wonder if it's safe for the hoses?

 

You have to remember on cold nights, they want to stay warm too, so they go under there. I would maybe go out and get some rat poison in pellets and put some of that in a small cup in the engine compartment. They will go after that first if it is there. Maybe put it there before you go to bed or something and take it out in the morning. I am sure that this will help with the problem. Just don't forget to take it out. :fireman:

P.S. Critters chew anything!