10/15/2026
TRUE STORY THURSDAY - You Can't Make This Stuff Up!
Mice: Tiny creatures. BIG automotive problems.
You know how we always say you never know what we're going to find when a vehicle comes into the shop?
Well, sometimes the troublemakers aren't under the hood. Sometimes they have tiny paws, sharp teeth, and absolutely NO respect for personal property.
This particular vehicle came to us with an EVAP system leak. That's part of the vehicle's emissions system, and when there's a leak, we have to track down where it's coming from.
First, our technicians double-checked the purge valve. It was functioning perfectly and sealing properly.
Next, they performed an EVAP system test and checked the canister shut valve. That valve was also working correctly and sealing as it should.
Two components checked out, but the leak was still there.
So, we kept investigating.
That's when we found smoke coming from the area at the top of the fuel tank.
At that point, we suspected possible rodent damage to one of the EVAP lines above the tank—or a damaged or defective component in that area. The next step was to drop the fuel tank so we could get a better look at what was damaged and determine exactly what needed to be repaired.
But the EVAP leak wasn't the only evidence of unwanted visitors.
During the inspection, we found significant signs of rodent activity throughout the vehicle.
-Food, trash, and debris were scattered throughout the interior.
-There were a LOT of rodent droppings that needed to be cleaned up.
-Multiple rodent nests were found underneath the vehicle, built from materials that appeared to have come from inside it!
Let's just say our vacuum got quite the workout.
The vehicle required extensive cleanup and vacuuming, along with further diagnosis and repairs. Today, we replaced the fuel tank set as part of addressing the problems found during this process.
And here's the kicker…
Even after all that cleaning, the evidence of our tiny unwanted guests was STILL showing up!
The customer told us they've put traps in the garage where the vehicle is stored and have been trying to keep things as clean as possible. We can see that efforts have been made, but there's still room to eliminate more food, trash, and potential nesting materials.
Unfortunately, once rodents decide your vehicle looks like a cozy little home, getting them to move out isn't always as simple as putting up a NO vacancy sign.
*HOW CAN YOU HELP KEEP MICE OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE?
-Remove food wrappers, crumbs, trash, and clutter from the interior.
-Keep your garage and parking area as clean as possible.
-Avoid leaving materials around that rodents can use to build nests.
-If your vehicle sits for extended periods, check for signs of rodent activity.
-Watch for droppings, shredded materials, unusual smells, warning lights, or unexplained vehicle problems.
*If you suspect rodents have moved in, have your vehicle inspected before the damage gets worse.
Rodents can damage wiring, hoses, emissions components, insulation, and other vehicle parts. Sometimes, finding the actual problem takes more than a quick look under the hood.
And unfortunately, the mice don't pay for the diagnosis, the parts, or the labor.
TRUE STORY THURSDAY: We work on cars, trucks, and vans… but apparently, sometimes we also have to deal with the world's tiniest demolition crew.
They move in without permission, remodel without a permit, and leave one heck of a mess behind!
You really can't make this stuff up!
