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Showing results for tags 'pest damage'.
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Maybe this will help someone who lives in a rural area or any area where mice/rats are around. I moved my 89 Dolphin, (36,000 miles, V-6, 5 new tires, rebuilt interior), in the driveway so that I could get easier access to a rear tire. Engine was running and I was in passenger side getting out the tire gauge when I felt a "whoosh" from the heater area. I shut off the engine ran around to pull the hood release, opened the hood to find fire raging across the top of the engine. Put out the fire via close by fire extinguisher. Fire did not bubble paint on hood. Long story short: there is an exclusion in my Progressive insurance policy about damage caused by pests. Looks like a rat had chewed the gas line which caused the fire. The exclusion states that if the vehicle has been unoccupied for more than 2 weeks it may not be covered. I'm waiting for a decision from Progessive now. Bottom line: with Progressive anyway, check your vehicle at least every two weeks. I started and sometimes drove mine every month but admit that I didn't always check for a rat's nest under the hood. I did place bags of rodent repellent inside and under the hood. Oh yeah, engine turns over and appears to try to start. Neighbor believes it will start with new MAF sensor but have to wait to see if they are going to tow it back to me before I try anything. If I get it back not sure what to do with it.