When Engine Performance Problems Go Beyond Check Engine Light Diagnostic Equipment In Buford Ga

Engine diagnostics takes special tools, skill and diagnostic strategy. There is so much that can go wrong to cause car problems. Weather, rust, corrosion and even critters like rodents can cause a whole host of drive ability problems that no computer will detect. As temperatures are drop your car may be susceptible to  small rodents trying to stay warm – possibly in your engine compartment!

Your car’s engine can be an inviting place because of warmth, smells, and/or the colorful wiring. Small rodents like mice, squirrels, rats and raccoons are looking for a good nesting place! If they set up housekeeping, rodents will make a mess and can create havoc with your vehicle’s electrical system.

Cars that are not driven frequently or are parked outside can be a particular target, but even cars that are driven frequently can have problems. In particular, food or crumbs in the passenger compartment will attract mice. Be proactive… throw away trash, and vacuum up crumbs in your car. Also, be sure your dog or cat food and bird seed is kept in closed containers in your garage, so that you are not inviting rodents inside.

That’s when we have to rely on our many years of training and experience to diagnose the problem. Good old fashioned detective work is still a major part of how we perform many auto repairs.

Rodent Damage is very common in the Buford area, especially for vehicles that are left to sit for long periods of time without being moved. We’ve seen mice, squirrels, chipmunks and even ground hogs set up home in your engine of passenger compartment looking for a cozy place out of the weather and securely away from predators.

ELECTRICAL WIRING TASTES GOOD

One sure sign of a rodent or mouse infestation is missing or chewed insulation from the bottom of your hood. Rodents love nice soft material to build a nest with, and the insulation from under your hood and dashboard are prime bedding for them.

Another sign is finding seeds or nuts stored under the hood. They may look harmless at first, but left unchecked can turn into infestation of multiple families chewing on your valuable vehicle. Mice and chipmunks like to store food in safe areas to eat later and that means they plan on spending some time there

Rodents are busy and very destructive as they have to constantly chew on things to keep their teeth from getting too long. Your cars wiring and electrical system are prime targets for these vandals and can cause thousands of dollars of damage if left unchecked.

To deter rodents, you can also wedge moth balls or dryer softener sheets around the engine compartment. Or you could use one of the small ultrasonic devices that are available for keeping rodents at bay. One more option is a product called “Rodent Tape” that can be placed around various electrical harnesses in your engine bay and will repel the varmints with it’s “peppery” taste.

YOUR CAR CAN’T BREATHE

Another concern we have about rodent infestation in your vehicle is the fact that they love to build their nests in your air filter box that starve your engine of air, not allowing it to breathe. And we also find their nests in fresh air vents and cabin air filter boxes that feed you and your families air that you breathe. The problem with this is mice tend to use their nesting areas as their toilets, unknowingly exposing you to rodent feces and urine when you turn on your heater or air conditioner.

If you find any of these signs, address it quickly by bringing your vehicle in for a check up to make sure they haven’t caused you any damage. It’s always cheaper to ward off a problem than to have to diagnose and then repair one later. We can also advise you as to how you can prevent future rodent damage as well.

Trust our ASE Certified Mechanics with decades of experience to diagnoseor help you ward off these strange engine performance and check engine light problems in Buford GA.