crisp76

Looking at used 350L and I noticed the engine compartment insulation on some of the RX’s are missing pieces. Not sure if this is common or maybe mice really like them? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

15RX98422

maybe more details and a couple of photos will help????

crisp76

This is the drivers side engine compartment. It’s not an actual hole, just a layer torn off.

PhxBill

I suspect mice…

crisp76

I’ve seen a couple of these RX’s with similar tears, holes in the insulation. I’m also guessing the mice like it. Not sure if anyone else had similar occurrences?

autotech13

Has anyone done any work on the RX near that area?

ravenuer

I don't see this as a big deal. If the car otherwise is in good shape and you know thw maintenance record, make your decision.

crisp76

Not sure if any mechanic has been there or worked in it and possibly torn this piece off. Otherwise yes, the vehicle is in good shape. The only thing that concerns me is if mice are attracted to this type of insulation or if anyone has had this issue before?

ravenuer

Yes, many people have had mice problems on all kinds of cars. There are lots of ways to prevent this online.

Volley

I'm wondering if this damage is done when the dealer is detailing the engine compartment prepping the car for sale. High pressure water or using a brush? You could eat off the engine compartment of the CPO RXs I looked at - all with 20k miles or more. However, I never noticed this type of damage.

15RX98422

could you try bringing it back and asking the Dealer what they can do to help? No harm trying.

PhxBill

Mice are incredibly annoying. Well, “annoying” is an understatement. Destructive and harmful…and capricious. I’ve worked on a bunch of vintage electronics (antique radios, stereos, guitar amps and such) and run into mice damage far too often. They’ll chew up paper cone speakers and wire insulation. Sometimes they might eat all of the black wire insulation but leave the white and red wires untouched. It’s possible there was a label stuck on that part and the mice found the label’s glue particularly appealing, for example.

I’d examine the rest of the engine compartment as thoroughly as possible, hopefully that’s all the damage. I personally think it’s doubtful that a pressure wash or a mechanic’s repair methods created that damage, it’s totally consistent with the mice damage I’ve seen in my own experience.

15RX98422

About 8 years ago, my niece's husband parked his MDX in LA, by the next morning, the car was running rough. Took it to the dealer and was informed that rodents are chewed into his wiring. Bill was $850 and that was cheaper because Acura gave him a discount, since the car was from the Pacific NW. It happens that fast. OP. If this is rodents, I would figure out a way to protect the car ASAP.