I just picked up my 2011 Vantage S and twice since I brought it home, I have noticed a small pile of shredded foam under the car. What I fear is happening is that a small rodent found something under there to make a nest out of, or even worse has decided to nest in the underside of the car.

Question is, is there anything under there that they could get to? The debris is beige-ish foam that isn't very dense and some has black plastic attached to it (much like a trash bag).

We haven't had any rodent problems in the decade plus we have been in this house, (lots of outdoor cats in the neighborhood) so I hope they didn't come in with the car.

I do have a call into my dealership asking the same questions.

Got my fingers crossed.

Kevin

 

Take a look in the engine bay where the tub attaches to the front frame
Many of the gaps are filled with expanding foam to add rigidity and reduce noise.
It looks a bit "DIY" but it does work, unfortunately it is ideal rodent nest material

 

Thanks Mikey.

I planned on getting out the jacks when I get home this evening. When I think of filling gaps, Great Stuff is what I think of, but this stuff is much fluffier. In fact, it's really not even dense enough for any use I can think of offhand. And that some of it has a thin black plastic glued to it is even more bizarre.

And I am a little disappointed that my Aston dealer hasn't called me back. Seems like those guys in the garage would know right away if there is anything remotely like that which could be accessible from outside the car.

EDIT: Just got a call from my dealership. Evidently the padding and black plastic is present above the heat shield which is above the torque tube as well as the wheel well liners. Time for traps and the exterminator to come out. Fun.

 

Aw geez, it might that TrueCoat falling off the car don't 'cha know.

 

A pile of shredded material is a sure sign of a rodent. Insulation not good, electrical wires or fluid lines worse. This is a safety issue. Don't wait for the dealer, head asap to get one of the $40 electrical deals that zap mice and rats. Keep paying attention to what is being chewed up in the meantime.

Been there.

 

A trick we use in general aviation is to place some regular dryer sheets in the area where a rodent may be suspected of loitering. Something about the scent that they don't care for. Do it soon as mouse urine is highly corrosive.

 

You may like to post some pics to get a better idea of the potential rodent damage.

 

Well, the good news is that it only took a few hours for the trap to do it's work. There hasn't been any more damage. And what damage was done wasn't enough to cover a standard size post-it note. I replaced the weatherstrip on both garage doors since the old ones were the point of entry and still have traps in all the right places. I intended to get the car up on ramps or jacks, but sadly nothing I have is slim enough to get under the car without scraping. So, no pics worth posting, but I will update the thread if I can get something worth posting.

Thanks for all the advise.

Kevin