O.K.... so I go out to pull some periodic maintenance on the Scout (fluids, tighten belts, blah, blah, blah) and I open the hood to find something has been using my engine compartment for a Howard Johnson Motor Lodge.  But it's not just leaving wet towles laying around or anything, just piles of crap!  On my engine and on my fenders, everywhere!  I have a general rule that I don't take craps in my truck, so I frown on others and animals doing this.  So I take Scout to the car wash and power spray the crap (literally) out of my engine compartment.  Pull the maintenance and park him again.  About one week later I take Scout out again and later pop the hood.   Crap in my engine compartment again!!!  WTF!!!?   So yesterday I clean it out again but this time park Scout out by the curb, about 30 meters away from the first location.  Pop the hood today and... well... crap again!!!!   So I'm finished with whatever this animal is.  I know it isn't a black bear, he couldn't crawl up in the small confine (plus there are no black bears where I live).  So... I've pretty much narrowed it down to a racoon, possom, or a cat.  Anyway, I have now rigged his favorite motor lodge with a reception.  Anyone having this kind of problem with their trucks?

Nice deterrent   I've repaired engine and dash wiring that was chewed up by mice, and air filters full of acorns, mostly on cars that have been sitting.  Worse than nesting and crapping is the chewing, rodents love rubber and will chew brake and fuel hoses, vacuum lines, wiring, everything really.  If the rig sits outside for a while at a time,  put some mothballs around it,  critters hate the smell.


 

Yeah, the chewing concerns me too, but knock on wood, i haven't seen any yet.  Yet.   Visited my bud last weekend who lives south of me in a rural area and it appears the squirrels are tearing the crap out of his vehicle's insulation, wiring, etc.  Big dollars repairs.