Mouseproofing spare engine?
 

I haven't found this topic and I don't know where to ask, but this seemed like the best choice.

I'm just about done getting a new engine in my 911, and am keeping the original (2.7) to include for originality, should I ever sell (never planning to, but ya never know).

So, with the spare 2.7 rolling around on a dolly, anyone know the best way to mouseproof it? I have aluminum foil, aluminum tape, all sorts of rags and towels (which make great nesting materials, I've discovered), sprays, solvents, moth balls, etc.

At this point, I'm thinking of using the aluminum tape on the exhaust ports and aluminum foil in the intake. I'm just worried the aluminum will react with the magnesium and other metals...

And can we limit it to folks who have actual experience? I've read so much on mouse-proofing, most of it from non car sites or about mouseproofing your whole car, my head is spinning. That's why I'm asking here, where folks probably have an extra engine rolling around their garage...

Best,

Marcus

How far do you want it "mouseproofed"? You can close the holes pretty easily with plastic sheet and zip tie. But they'll still piss and ***** in all the exterior crevices if they want to. Under intake, on top of the intake, all over the tin, valve covers, etc. Probably even in through the fan and under the fan shroud as well. Mice use bodily waste as a form of communication, so they do it everywhere. Too bad they haven't learned to read and write.

Putting it on dollies isn't ideal. Things that close to the floor they can easily climb up to. (Ask me how I kn.... actually, don't :mad:) I guess you could roll it onto a plastic sheet, and tie up the edges and make a baggie so they can't climb into it. Actually sealing it in plastic may lead to a moisture issue.

Short of wrapping it in plastic (can be bad for moisture breathability), storing it in such a way where they can't access it is best. I.e. not close to the floor, not next to a shelf they can jump onto it from, away from any cables (they love walking along them), etc. Something like an engine stand would resolve the 'climbing up' problem I think. To my knowledge, mice cannot climb a vertical surface and thus can't get up the vertical post of the engine stand. All bets are off if you park it in any spacially convenient way (next to something that they can jump from).

Best solution that is semi easy is to get an engine stand. Park the engine on the stand and drape some plastic over it (after sealing holes). They'll piss and poo all over the plastic.

Obviously, the best is to just keep them out of the space to begin with.

Dealing with cleaning the stuff is best done with gloves and a mask, and trying not to move the stuff around quickly or vacuuming (getting it airborne). Some mice carry diseases. It's nearly impossible to tell which ones do and don't, so best to avoid breathing / touching any of it.

I just read about this guy's misadventures... so definitely avoid storing mouse food in the garage! SmileWavy
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/940876-mice.html#post9414265

Big plastic heavy duty box/crate with no holes? Some call them waffle boxes?

Cat?

Bastards got into my hot tub and caused havoc, I hate the dirty, filthy things. Try moth balls or dryer sheets around motor and plug holes carefully with steel wool. They won't chew through steel wool.

A cat only works if you know they are a mouser. Many domestic cats aren't.

Sadly dryer sheets are useless. I've seen them piss and poo right on said sheets.

That is pretty disgusting they got in your hot tub though.

Mouse traps usually work good.

Why not just crate it? Building a crate is a fun beer drinking job and now you have a table.

Seems an engine stand would make the most sense. It's off the floor, you can wrap it up in plastic so it's protected and you can move it around your garage when you need to.

Wrap it in a bag on an engine Stand Seal it tightly with duct tape then purge the Air out with Argon from your welder. Should keep bugs mice and dust out and keep moisture problems at bay.

Perfect - the only extra thing is to put some dried snake pooh & a shed snake skin on the bag. Dont know where you get these in US but we can buy the poop here.

"Snake Poo / Python Poo for sale or poop as some people like to call it for sale.
Snake Poo is commonly used as a deterrent for keeping mice away. Place poop near entrances and in places where mice seem to go, out of the reach of children and pets.
It also frequently used to repel possums from your house roof.
We sell it in approx 50 gram dry weight bags.
Note: Faeces is a waste product of clean nature but due to wildlife laws were are unable to sell shed snake skins."

https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/snake-poop-python-poo-for-sale.html

Just put mouse traps with peanut butter all over, and the granular rat poison. Works fine. Keep the peanut butter fresh...

Mice get into our hot tub annually... its a heat source during the winter. They just eat the foam... Dryer sheets did squat