# Rat got into engine compartment

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/rat-got-into-engine-compartment/45711>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** mini, cooper, engines\
**Created:** [March 7, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rat-got-into-engine-compartment/45711 "2010-03-07T20:17:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Wapcaplet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@Wapcaplet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Wapcaplet)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rat-got-into-engine-compartment/45711/1 "2010-03-07T20:17:23Z")

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When I took my 07 Mini to the dealer for a routine oil change and to check why the engine warning came on, they told me that a rat had eaten the wires, causing the warning light to come on. I drove down and looked at it myself. Yuck! Droppings and yes, chewed through wires. It’s going to cost me $800 to repair. What I can do to prevent this from happening next week when i get my car back?

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**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rat-got-into-engine-compartment/45711/2 "2010-03-08T02:39:24Z")

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D-Con in a little dish atop the engine has worked for me (after the barn door was left open, so to speak.) A dead rat won’t eat your wiring anymore. Remove before driving.