W124 Electrics
 

I worked ok n myw124 all day yesterday, expecting to install the turbo I ha ordered. Well, gnawed on wiring stopped that. Found wiring u der the air box chewed up. It has all been repaired.

Also had to order turbo oil supply and return gaskets. I am also waiting on my pressure activated wastegate actuator.

I don't know about Mice or other critters but I read a book that said Rats have an enzyme in their digestive tract that can digest Rubber.

Not related but a funny story:
When I was around 13 years old my Neighbors took me on a Van camping trip around the various parks all they way from LA up north in CA.

The Father questioned me as to why I bought 6 pair of cotton boot laces with me. (I had bought them at some surplus store and they were tied together so I simply threw them all in my stuff before we went.)

The Wife and Daughter slept inside the Van and the Father and myself slept outside. On one of the nights Some critter ate the Fathers leather boot laces right up the middle of like 6 spots where the laces were still laced through the holes.

So the Father is the one that benefited from me bringing extra boot laces along.

Rats and other rodents (mice, squirrels, gophers, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc) have constantly growing teeth and they are always looking for something to chew on. In a vehicle the wiring is relatively soft and chewy (compared to other things like steel reinforced hoses and belts) so they like to go after the wiring.

You are safer than newer M-B owners. Many reports that rodents find their corn-based bio-degradable wiring insulation tasty. Even without rodents, it has been degrading too soon on its own. Completely rewiring a modern car might cost $10K.