# Can anyone tell what this is under the hood? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** c-class, mercedes-benz\ **Created:** [January 18, 2022, 9:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955 "2022-01-18T09:31:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![masa\_deguchi\_179132](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9dc877/32.png) [@masa\_deguchi\_179132](https://community.cartalk.com/u/masa_deguchi_179132)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 9:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/1 "2022-01-18T09:31:10Z")
I opened the hood of my 2021 Mercedes Benz C43 and found this yellowish puffy stuff. All I know is it shouldn’t be there, but I have no idea what it is. Can anyone tell what that is? Thanks! ![C43Fluff](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/3/73dc344c08f08a3e631a4b06500493592732ab8c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 10:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/2 "2022-01-18T10:01:24Z")
Looks like critters trying to start a nest. Get some gloves and remove it before they move in. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 10:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/3 "2022-01-18T10:18:53Z")
Looks like some of the insulation from the hood has been torn off and fell into that area. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 1:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/4 "2022-01-18T13:09:41Z")
Why would a Mercedes’ owner open their hood? ---
**Author:** ![sstreky\_177112](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@sstreky\_177112](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sstreky_177112)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 2:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/5 "2022-01-18T14:20:06Z")
What the hell is that a toupee? ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/6 "2022-01-18T16:03:18Z")
I agree it looks like something is making a nest. remove it and keep an eye under the hood it will probably try again. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 6:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/7 "2022-01-18T18:28:37Z")
Do you have a nearby source of fiberglass batting that this critter is putting there? Get rid of the source, if possible. ---
**Author:** ![masa\_deguchi\_179132](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9dc877/32.png) [@masa\_deguchi\_179132](https://community.cartalk.com/u/masa_deguchi_179132)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 7:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/8 "2022-01-18T19:13:47Z")
Thanks for your responses. I forwarded the picture to the local dealer. They think that it’s rodent nesting. I put (humane) traps in the garage, and I will have my car inspected next week to make sure there’s no damage. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/9 "2022-01-18T19:28:28Z")
We use this in a pole barn where all kinds of vehicles are stored. [https://www.menards.com/main/outdoors/insect-pest-control/animal-traps-repellents/messinas-reg-rodent-stopper-reg-ready-to-use-repellent-spray-32-oz/rs-u-016/p-1444439512206.htm](https://www.menards.com/main/outdoors/insect-pest-control/animal-traps-repellents/messinas-reg-rodent-stopper-reg-ready-to-use-repellent-spray-32-oz/rs-u-016/p-1444439512206.htm) Haven’t seen hide nor hair of any critters. Tester ---
**Author:** ![masa\_deguchi\_179132](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9dc877/32.png) [@masa\_deguchi\_179132](https://community.cartalk.com/u/masa_deguchi_179132)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/10 "2022-01-18T19:36:43Z")
I appreciate the information! I have to do what it takes to get those critters out of my garage! ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/11 "2022-01-18T19:45:03Z")
> [@masa\_deguchi\_179132](#): > > I put (humane) traps in the garage, Humane?? For heavens sake why? So they can procreate and have more critters to infest places where they don’t belong? ---
**Author:** ![masa\_deguchi\_179132](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9dc877/32.png) [@masa\_deguchi\_179132](https://community.cartalk.com/u/masa_deguchi_179132)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 7:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/12 "2022-01-18T19:51:22Z")
I meant a safe-for-human option. ---
**Author:** ![LoudThunder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loudthunder/32/27769_2.png) [@LoudThunder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LoudThunder)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/13 "2022-01-18T19:54:14Z")
Here is an old posting from the past (and we know there’s nothing better than “A blast from the past…” > [@Squirrel chewed an injector wire in Clearwater Florida friend's 2015 Mustang](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squirrel-chewed-an-injector-wire-in-clearwater-florida-friends-2015-mustang/177801/11): > > I live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, in a suburban area, my home is on 1/2 acre lot, I have many trees, and most of my neighbor’s properties are similar. Last fall, I found nut/acorn/etc debris on top of the engines of both my 2019 Toyota and 2020 Honda. Some of the wire harness wrap was chewed on but no other damage. The “Scat” (rodent droppings) was larger than a mouse and Googled research suggested squirrels or rats. I have never seen any rats in the area, but there is no shortag… And here is another posting… > [@Squirrel chewed an injector wire in Clearwater Florida friend's 2015 Mustang](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squirrel-chewed-an-injector-wire-in-clearwater-florida-friends-2015-mustang/177801/15): > > Now that it has been brought up, I remember I also tried this. We have a fake plastic owl that we bought to put next to the bird feeder to “hopefully” scare off the squirrels, and it did absolutely no good… I do not believe it scared off anything. Small birds landed on its head and left their “calling cards…” The squirrels just seemed to ignore it… But we did try the owl around the cars, in front, in back, on the sides, even on the roof. It did not fit in the engine compartment and we con… And finally, one more… > [@Squirrel chewed an injector wire in Clearwater Florida friend's 2015 Mustang](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squirrel-chewed-an-injector-wire-in-clearwater-florida-friends-2015-mustang/177801/18): > > you can try something like this… [Amazon.com : Loraffe Under Hood Rodent Ultrasonic Rat Repellent Mice Deterrent with Ultrasound and LED Flashlights, for 12V 24V Vehicle Auto Garage Pest Control, Keep Animal from Chewing Car Wiring : Garden & Outdoor](https://www.amazon.com/Loraffe-Under-Hood-Rodent-Flashlights/dp/B07JG4V1ZP) And if it turns out to be rodents, don’t expect them to go peacefully… ![Mouse](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/6/16690c8377e9dfd1fd663b20a3a5e8c313c3c752.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/14 "2022-01-18T19:56:55Z")
the old Jedi rat. they are a little harder to get rid of. “Go I will not” ---
**Author:** ![gkeantrader\_178950](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gkeantrader\_178950](https://community.cartalk.com/u/gkeantrader_178950)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 12:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/15 "2022-01-19T12:28:52Z")
Looks like birds trying to start a nest. ---
**Author:** ![johnnyspapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/13edae/32.png) [@johnnyspapa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnnyspapa)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/16 "2022-01-19T13:27:37Z")
It looks like a nest or nylon bag or sth like this… ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/17 "2022-01-19T22:19:30Z")
This is one of those things I just don’t understand . It seems in the amount of time it took to take a picture , logon to a forum and post the picture the person could have used a stick or broom to see it would drop out and then have a clue to what it was. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2022, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-anyone-tell-what-this-is-under-the-hood/181955/18 "2022-01-19T22:35:43Z")
Hmmm? I wonder if opening the car door, pulling the hood release, closing the car door, then manually opening the hood might have scared off whatever critter that built the nest? Nah! That could never happen. 🙄 Tester