I've got an old F100 (1970) pickup that I put less than 1000 miles a year on, so it does a lot of sitting. I try to take it for a drive every weekend, but sometimes it sits for a few weeks at a time.

Less than a year ago, I found that the rubber fuel hose that connects the metal fuel line to the fuel pump appeared to have been chewed on and was leaking, so I replaced it.

Last week, I noted that it looked chewed on again, but was not yet leaking. Today when I checked it, I found it was leaking where it was chewed (almost exactly the same spot as before). Thankfully, I had enough new hose to change it again.

I'm guessing it's just a matter of time before this happens again. My assumption is that a rodent of some kind gets under the hood (no other signs of one though) and is chewing on the line from time to time. The hose does not seem to be rotten...the rest of it is solid.

Any ideas on what I could do to stop this? I've thought about slipping some 3/4" or 1" flexible metal electrical conduit (greenfield) over it as armor, but I'm hoping there may be some other alternative, perhaps even a different kind of hose I might be able to use.

Thanks for any suggestions...

 

Hot rodders like to use braided hoses, I'm not sure if fuel lines can be gotten braided or not. Maybe setting out mothballs on the block and wherever else they might stay would deter rodents - don't know for sure

 

For storage, some recommend driving vehicle onto large piece of plastic and pulling up and taping over tires and up under sides of vehicle and putting up on blocks to deter rodents.

Eliminating rodents may be helpful. Eliminate food sources and hiding places that attract them. Eliminate feces and urine that signals it's a safe place to hide, nest, feed, etc. Some recommend moth balls as a deterrent. Others recommend bait, but this may pose a problem for pets and desirable wildlife.

 

Another little trick to keep rodents away is to place cloves in a couple areas under the hood. They don't like the smell of the cloves and tend to find another place to live.

 

I have tried moth balls on my 57 Chevy, they don't work. Someone suggested dryer sheets, the scented kind. Not sure if they have worked this year, but the odor in the car from the dryer sheets is kind of strong. I don't like it, hope the mice don't either. Try a couple laying on the engine, they will either move on or use them for bedding material.

 

I did this with my dog that would chew my garden hose I slathered habanero sauce on it. The hotter the better. It worked real well and did not harm the dog. It might work on rodents also.

 

Sounds like you may have a rat visting. Your idea of slipping something over the hose to armor clad it is a good one. I had a rat make a nest in a brand new car one time. The dealer found it on a routine service call. They like to chew on rubber and plastic for some reason. Pay attention to wiring as they will alos chew that!

 

Rat poison. That way you can find his dead corpse and run him over for causing you all these headaches. :-p

Speaking of poison, just put some cat/dog food nearby, I'm sure it's tainted with wheat gluton. hehe

 

Thanks for all the suggestions...I was in my garage and I saw a piece of the USELESS gutter mesh I had installed a few years ago that just collapsed in the gutters and made them clog worse. Hmm...I wrapped the hose with the stuff. Finally found something that stuff is good for!

I'm a little concerned whether it will get too hot under the hood for it, as it is a plastic or nylon material. I guess if rubber hose is ok, that stuff should be to. What do you guys think? I suppose I could go get some 1/4" hardware cloth and wrap the hose with it.

I'll definately have to look over the other rubber and the wiring to be sure it is all OK.

Too bad we threw out that habenaro salsa that we had...MAN that stuff was hot.

 

Best thing to do:
Go to a garden center they sell a product for repelling animals, rabbits squirrels,mice almost anything that eats. You have to understand that this is mostly a pepper type product. The only animal that can eat pepper with out any effect is a bird. So no harm to any animals will take place. I have used it in the past to keep the squirrels out of my bird feeders. Good luck.

 

Maybe some fiberglass that way the little rat will get what he deserves. Pretty sure fiberglass is not good for his diet.

 

I wouldn't think it would be a problem on a fuel line - they don't get all that hot. Don't know if it would be a problem on radiator/heater hoses. I'd be leary of hardware cloth as the metal edges might poke a hole in the rubber