1999 7.3L PSD in an F250 built in 12 of 1998. I have some power loss and the most probable causes are a clogged fuel filter or turbo damage. Hence the following.

Located behind the fuel filter and in front of the turbine and between the injectors and heads and on top of the manifold or block is a vast empty space. It is empty now becuase I vaccumed out a whole bunch of insulation material and other rodent bedding materials.

Was there or is there supposed to be something in this space?

How in the Cheezes H. Wiz am I supposed to see in there in case wires have been chewed or other damage has occured? This would be an application for a small fiber optic camera to investigate.

I mean this is a large void. It must be over 12 inches by 8 or more.

I checked the International manual for the engine and turbo and they do not show this space as, as we all know, space has no purpose to engineers.

Does anyone have an idea if something was supposed to be in this void>?

Has anyone else found this to be a magnet for our small rodent friends? Has anyone found anything interesting living in there like a badger?

This sounds stupid but the heat build up from the insulation effect of the bedding stuffed in there is no joke.

Any information would be appreciated. How do you keep critters out of there?

 

i have even found a few of the varmints to be heavy smokers judging by the number of Marlboro butts in the valley on one rig. That cavernous space is for real, and your not the first to find nesting there.

 

That's just the valley between the two heads. I had some mice nest in mine while I had to have the truck in storage. Just pulled it all out and drove the truck with no ill effects.

 

Mice and pack rats love it up there... *******s.
You are probably fine, most all the wiring is running down either head where you can see it.

 

Wrap up some of your favorite meats in tin foil real good and drop it down in the valley and go on a nice 400 mile or more trip in the summer. Open up and taste, mmmmm, hear that Jim and Rick... O nevermind, I'm hungry...carry on..

 

The valley of no return.
Because when you drop something in there, well, it's easier to just go get another one.

 

As soon as I can get my neighbor's cat to pee in a cup I will pour it in there. That ought to be real popular on date night!

I was thinking of leaving the plastic cover off- the one that has "7.3 Liter, etc" printed on it. Leave the hood open in good weather and maybe it will not be so inviting a place to retire into. I could run a light out there and keep it bright. Rodents hate a spotlight, except for Mickey and Minnie and, maybe, Mighty Mouse.

 

Peppermint oil costs more, but it smells better too.

 

There is store about 45 miles from here that sells Polish Kielbasa made in Chicago. Now that gives a whole new dimension to take-out does it not>? Cook it on the way home.

Where do I put the sauerkraut>? I will have to rig a pot on the manifold.

 

Wow, I felt bad, thought I derailed your thread but heck, if we can cook good eats, well, then were good then, lol..Hum, not sure on the condements, would have to think about that one unless one of our favorite cooks here could elaborate a concoction.. Man, Polish Kielbasa, now I'm really hungry..Welcome to FTE bye the way, first time seeing yaa..

 

I rent out that space for $50.00 a month to college students. Not a bad place to live as long as you keep your fingers out of the fan.

 

Polish Sausage in one foil wrap, kraut in another one...there's plenty of room...a 30 minute drive should git-r-dun for dinner...lol

 

I came back from a 10 day trip last year to find my a/c would only blow out of the defrost vents. Popped the hood and found a wire going to the vacuum pump chewed in half, the vacuum line to my ranger valve and the windshield washer line with a hole chewed in them. Wasn't impressed. A week later, went to fire up the '68 Caddie and the little sh*%ts had chewed about halfway through the wiring harness on the firewall. Nice.. Don't know if it works very well or not, but I read they don't like moth *****. Put some on a paper plate under the hood of all my junkers. Seems to be doing the job. Oh, and that valley can heat up some mean breakfast tacos too.

 

Sounds like you guys need some cats for rodent control. I will happily donate to your cause. Just let me know where to mail them to. I'll even poke air holes in the box!

 

Dryer sheets work too. I had a pack rat get into my snowmobile one summer and chew holes in my brand new $180 cover. Then he tried to take up residency in my truck. He met an untimely demise delivered by yours truly... it was gratifying