Skip To Content

Best Auto Repair, Houston

12510 Oxford Park Drive Houston, TX 77082

281-589-8984
Opening Hours
  • Mon 8:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Tue 8:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Wed 8:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Thu 8:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Fri 8:00AM - 6:00PM
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed
CONTACT US

DOG FOOD IN YOUR ENGINE (Keeping Rodents out of your Engine)

Posted October 2, 2022 7:22 AM

A technician was telling us the other day that he was servicing an engine and spotted something he'd never seen before: A collection of dry dog food siting on a horizontal metal ledge near the base of the engine.  It was neatly stashed and was in a spot where the food pellets couldn't have simply fallen down in there.

Even though it's the first time he'd seen dog food in an engine, he immediately knew what was going on.  Critters like mice or chipmunks had found the dog food somewhere nearby and had used the engine as a nice storage unit. 

Mice, squirrels, chipmunks—you name it—like the heat of the engine.  And they'll use that to store up supplies of food for use in cold weather when outside food supplies are scarce.  The problem is they'll also chew on engine components while they're there. And they can do a lot of damage if they start gnawing on the wires.  Depending on how much of your electrical system needs to be replaced, repairs can mount up to the thousands of dollars. 

Those electrical problems can be tricky to track down, too, because the rodents can get to spots technicians don't have easy access to.  Oh, the signs are there; they'll find mouse droppings, acorns… even full mouse nests in your engine.  Yikes.

OK, but even if you get your vehicle fixed, how do you keep the critters from simply setting up their personal pantry again? Here are some things to try:

  • Don't leave any food in your vehicle
  • Get rid of that sweet-smelling air freshener. The rodents can mistake the scent for food and head right for your vehicle.
  • If you have a garage, block all access points for rodents. This can be very hard since they can squeeze through the tiniest spaces you can imagine.
  • Some people keep mothballs under the hood; rodents don't love 'em.
  • Pop the hood every couple of weeks and look for signs of mice: nests, droppings or stored nuts, acorn shells and pet food.

The next time you bring your vehicle into Westside Automotive for maintenance or service, your technician will be on the lookout, too. Hey, the dog food belongs in the dog's dish, not supplying fast food for little critters with razor-sharp teeth that can create electrical system mayhem.

Westside Automotive
12510 Oxford Park Dr.
Houston, TX 77082
281-589-8984
http://www.houstonwestsideautomotive.com



Search



Archive

December 2019 (15)
January 2020 (5)
February 2020 (4)
March 2020 (5)
April 2020 (4)
May 2020 (5)
June 2020 (4)
July 2020 (4)
August 2020 (5)
September 2020 (4)
October 2020 (4)
November 2020 (5)
December 2020 (4)
January 2021 (6)
February 2021 (4)
March 2021 (4)
April 2021 (4)
May 2021 (5)
June 2021 (4)
July 2021 (4)
August 2021 (5)
September 2021 (4)
October 2021 (5)
November 2021 (4)
December 2021 (4)
January 2022 (6)
February 2022 (4)
March 2022 (4)
April 2022 (4)
May 2022 (5)
June 2022 (4)
July 2022 (5)
August 2022 (4)
September 2022 (4)
October 2022 (5)
November 2022 (4)
December 2022 (4)
January 2023 (5)
February 2023 (4)
March 2023 (4)
April 2023 (5)
May 2023 (4)
June 2023 (4)
July 2023 (5)
August 2023 (4)
September 2023 (4)
October 2023 (5)
November 2023 (4)
December 2023 (5)
January 2024 (5)
February 2024 (4)
March 2024 (4)

Categories

Air Conditioning (4)Alignment (4)Alternator (3)Auto Safety (3)Automotive News (5)Battery (8)Brakes (14)Cabin Air Filter (4)Check Engine Light (2)Cooling System (7)Customer Detective Work (1)Dashboard (1)Diagnostics (3)Diesel Maintenance (1)Differential Service (1)Drive Train (3)Exhaust (3)Fluids (5)Fuel Economy (6)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (1)Fuel System (21)Headlamps (2)Inspection (2)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (1)Maintenance (23)Oil Change (4)Older Vehicles (3)Parts (2)PCV Valve (1)Safe Driving (1)Safety (2)Serpentine Belt (2)Service Intervals (4)Service Standards (5)Shocks & Struts (3)Steering (7)Timing Belt (5)Tires (2)Tires and Wheels (24)TPMS (2)Transmission (6)Trip Inspection (2)What Customers Should Know (30)Windshield Wipers (3)Winter Prep (1)Winter Tires (1)
  • AAA (American Automobile Association)
  • ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
  • Jasper
  • ASE Master Technician
  • BG Products
  • Denso
  • Car Care Aware

Testimonials

, 03/11/2024
Efficient and excellent communication. Reasonable pricing. Will be returning!
view all reviews
TAP TO CALL NOW 281-589-8984 X