Smelly Merc

[ctflyfish]

I thought I had seen it all, but yesterday I was in a Trophy for a morning run when the new Merc 150 EFI started smoking like an old 2 stroke. We could not figure out why, and ran back to the ramp. After washing the boat down, I pulled the motor cover and found 2 dead chipmunks, together with their nest which was made up of 50% insulation and 50% moss. They ate three wires to the copper core and actually ate one in half.
THe only point of entry i could see was the air intake.
Anyone else had the problem, and is there a cure?

[Bonita]

I've seen it in car motors by squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and rats!
Air intake is usually the front door. Sometimes the air cleaner box is used as a cache, usually of cat or dog food. Sometimes babies are born in there, too. Much stinkiness ensues usually - and often electrical problems, leaky hoses, broken fan belts, or other fun things.
Steel wool can be part of the answer, since air will go through it, but rodent teeth don't like to. Regular checking is important too, in case they find a back door.
Good luck!