So... remember when I told you about the RAT in my glove box?

[Misunderestimator]

Well.... I just had my car towed to the mechanic. The (now dead, I assume) rat had already done enough damage that my car won't start, and nothing electrical operates. :mad:

Moral of the story: If you notice something that looks like a rat's nest in your glove compartment... DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE RAT IS NOT STILL IN YOUR CAR. :mad:

I waited 24 hours before I put rat poison in the car, assuming he had left the way he had come, through the window the mechanic had left open in the garage. But NOOOOOooooooo. Those were, apparently, a critical 24 hours. :banghead:

(edited for typo)

[GOPisEvil]

1. The mechanic left your window open?

You're not having to pay for this are you?

[Misunderestimator]

2. I am planning on using NSMA's talents at diplomacy...

that I so dreadfully lack. She's already spoken with them and I believe that they will cover most of the cost, and my roadside assistance paid for the tow. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[GOPisEvil]

4. Oh that's good.

A shop with rats? :scared:

Goodness, I'm glad most of my repairs are not overnight jobs.

[Theres-a]

3. How awful!I hope you don't have to pay.That's just wrong.

[ReadTomPaine]

5. "You must have mud chiggers in your gas line"

You really should ring up CarTalk on NPR and talk to Tom and Ray about this.. this is a pretty classic car story!

RTP

[Misunderestimator]

7. LOL... That's a good idea... They're on on Saturdays right?

[ReadTomPaine]

11. Here's the info from the website about call-in:

Not 100% sure, but I think you leave a message ahead of time and they call back and arrange the telephone spot for the show.

Call 1-888-CAR-TALK (888-227-8255) - From the website:

FAQ #2: When is the show actually broadcast? I've heard it at different times in different cities.

Car Talk uses voice mail to be fair to people in all the different time zones. Anyone can call anytime they like and leave a message. Every week our Associate Producer Louie Cronin and her staff of lackeys go through the messages and pick a variety to throw at the guys when they go on the air.

FAQ #3: So, when should I call in?

You can call anytime you want and leave a message on the voice mail. If the lines are busy when you're hearing the show, set your alarm for 3 :00 a.m. and call then.

FAQ #4: What do you look for in callers?

Louie tries to get a variety of callers on every week; people from different parts of the country, with different kinds of cars, different types of problems...some mechanical, some interpersonal, some criminal. But there's no specific type of person or question for which she's looking.

FAQ #5: Do Tom and Ray know the questions in advance?

No. That would entail researching the right answer, which is what? Work -- something to which they are categorically opposed in all its forms.

(By the way, the guys don't participate in caller selection, because Doug Berman knows they'd just pick all the easy questions. Only Louie Cronin knows who's going to be on the show each week, since she calls people back. And she's not telling!)

RTP

[Misunderestimator]

13. Very cool... I may do that...

I'll wait until I have a resolution though.... OR if I get no resolution (perish the thought).

[radwriter0555]

6. Actually, it might be covered by your insurance policy, if you have a

comprehensive plan.

You should check. Could save you a bundle.

We had hit a dog while driving, and the damage was covered by the comprehensive... had we swerved and hit a curb, it would have been under the collission and a higher deductible.

[Misunderestimator]

9. I'll keep that in mind...

If the mechanic doesn't take care of it, it might be my only choice.

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. Similar thing happened to a friend of mine...

except it was a squirrel family that took up residence in her engine.

What a mess. In her case, though, it was not the mechanic's fault.

[MuseRider]

10. Sucker is probably

sitting around your engine in a neat little nest of wires and stuff. They will have to chase it out just like they did to our rat in the car. I knew this would happen, once they find a place they like they will just look at you incuriously and sigh. Sorry Misunderestimator. For you :hug:

[Misunderestimator]

12. Thanks for the hug...

I do think he's dead though. Within the first few hours after I placed the poison packets, both of them had been eaten into. I placed another 24 hours later and no nibbles. Unfortunately, he's been there long enough. I just hope they find him, or I will be driving a VERY smelly car. :(

[MuseRider]

14. Ewwwww

that is the worst thing I have ever even thought of. Nasty. I am feeling very sorry for you this minute. I hope the weather is nice enough for you to drive with all the windows down. :puke: