Rodent Damage - any advice

[66tim99]

Good to hear, and good for you.
Frustrating that VW HQ give different service to different people. My NoX sensor was munched by vermin, according to the dealer. Despite their technician writing in an email to me that the new soy based material was delicious to critters, HQ refused to admit fault and I was charged £700, with no rodent deterrent offered.
Eagerly waiting for the Ombudsman to report...

It’s happened again! The fox nudged my fence away, got under there and munched the NoX sensor. It must be really DELICIOUS!
Took it to an independent - VW Green Garage (NW6 2DS) this time, as VW deny there’s any issue. Danny was very helpful, explaining he sees this often on modern Transporters. He repaired the undercarriage and then wrapped it in rodent tape, then rodent mesh secured with metal cable ties.he also fitted an ultrasonic repeller sourced from VW. Annoying that VW couldn’t be arsed to recommend one last time.
I recommend Green Garage.
Not sure what more I can do. £1400 this time, £700 last time… these foxes certainly eat more expensive food than me.
(STILL waiting for a decision from the Motor Ombudsman…I’ve added this incident to the case).

 

[Kayleigh]

It’s happened again! The fox nudged my fence away, got under there and munched the NoX sensor. It must be really DELICIOUS!
Took it to an independent - VW Green Garage (NW6 2DS) this time, as VW deny there’s any issue. Danny was very helpful, explaining he sees this often on modern Transporters. He repaired the undercarriage and then wrapped it in rodent tape, then rodent mesh secured with metal cable ties.he also fitted an ultrasonic repeller sourced from VW. Annoying that VW couldn’t be arsed to recommend one last time.
I recommend Green Garage.
Not sure what more I can do. £1400 this time, £700 last time… these foxes certainly eat more expensive food than me.
(STILL waiting for a decision from the Motor Ombudsman…I’ve added this incident to the case).
View attachment 132471

Sorry to hear that. My Adblue sensor cable has been eaten twice. I’m pretty sure it’s when I park on a certain road that I now avoid. Foxes set off the dashcam so I get a nice view of them before they go to work!
Judging by your photo, I would say it doesn’t very tasty anymore.

 

[Ghostbuster]

I’ve been looking at some Big cheese spray laquer on Amazon. Interesting that on their product page it shows a photo of it being sprayed on a VW

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I regularly sprayed this on my Cali’ wiring and In 4 years I never had any rodent damage. Maybe I wouldn’t have anyway but it’s a low cost precaution and worth doing IMO.

 

[Perfectos]

Lidl have Anti Marten spray in store ATM , never used and cannot recommend, but obviously a German Thang !

 

[66tim99]

I’ve been looking at some Big cheese spray laquer on Amazon. Interesting that on their product page it shows a photo of it being sprayed on a VW

Definitely worth doing, but it doesn’t last long. Who can be arsed to get under their van every month, then fingers crossed.
If you’re concerned, I’d wrap the consumables in rodent tape and then vermin mesh for not much money. Hopefully fit and forget…

 

[acer]

I’ve bought some of that Anti-Marten spray. The plan is to put the van up on ramps and spray it about just before we go on holiday (we seem to be ok where we live).

But (and it’s a giant wobbling but ), where exactly do I spray it? And, am I going to damage my preciousness if I spray the wrong thing?

 

[Corradobrit]

I liberally applied Jenolite undercarriage protective wax sealant, which I hope at least provides some deterrent for vermin. I certaintly wouldn't want to eat it.

Amazon.de

 

[acer]

I liberally applied Jenolite undercarriage protective wax sealant, which I hope at least provides some deterrent for vermin. I certaintly wouldn't want to eat it.

Amazon.de

At least your rats will be rustproof

 

[vbk1975]

I would avoid spraying any of the electrical connectors inc. the wires close to the connectors. The connectors outside the vehicle are sealed and the seals can have a reaction to certain chemicals, they are robust to standard fluids a vehicle would expect. This stuff states is it safe for cables / gaskets etc, but if it does effect the seals then it will be an incredibly challenging repair (which undoubtedly means costly) .

 

[acer]

I would avoid spraying any of the electrical connectors inc. the wires close to the connectors. The connectors outside the vehicle are sealed and the seals can have a reaction to certain chemicals, they are robust to standard fluids a vehicle would expect. This stuff states is it safe for cables / gaskets etc, but if it does effect the seals then it will be an incredibly challenging repair (which undoubtedly means costly) .

Oh! There definitely seems to be a case for doing something on this issue, given the size of the repair bills and extreme lengths some people have had to go to to protect their vans.

However, I don’t want to do the vermin’s job for them. I don’t know what goes on under the bonnet, or under the van and feel that I could easily slip up here.

 

[66tim99]

Oh! There definitely seems to be a case for doing something on this issue, given the size of the repair bills and extreme lengths some people have had to go to to protect their vans.

However, I don’t want to do the vermin’s job for them. I don’t know what goes on under the bonnet, or under the van and feel that I could easily slip up here.

Next time you have some work done, I recommend you ask the garage to wrap the plastic pipework (esp around the NoX sensor) with rodent steel wool secured with metal cable ties.

 

[acer]

Next time you have some work done, I recommend you ask the garage to wrap the plastic pipework (esp around the NoX sensor) with rodent steel wool secured with metal cable ties.

Yes, I think it makes sense for someone who know what they’re doing to sort this out, rather than me spray stuff about.
I’m still in warranty, so I expect it’s safest to do this through VW? Does anyone have a view on that?