Unfortunately I have already made two bad experiences with martens. Once an air hose (TDI), the cooling water system (Golf 4), another time with a bite. Attempts to small rodents with smelly "defense sprays" or tufts keep from dog hair, beating sadly wrong.
Even chicken wire underneath the engine block brings my opinion nothing, Marder can by no matter how small column moving through it and get most of their goal. It is said that "visits" the rodents often remain without consequences for the car, but as soon as another marten once in the engine compartment (eg if you park the car in a station of another marten) was the rival tried the "cave" of to destroy another, which then results in the damage (if that is true so I can not judge, I am not a biologist and have it read only once in connection with the search for protection against martens).
The Device:
After a short search, and positive experience with the present device in the circle, I have now installed this product yourself and have been very satisfied. No more marten damage! The device is small and portable, it can actually be easily hung in the engine compartment. The beep is transmitted in 20 seconds intervals.
Installation:
The installation is really fast, even without the relatively useless instructions. Easy Strip Cable, firmly pinch clamp and attach the screws to the car battery. (With minus start)
Anyone who does not trust them, can simply go to a free workshop and can be mounted, is not a real effort. To extend the service life, it is also a third cable to the ignition, so that the device is turned off during operation of the engine, but I have it waived.
Although the cables are quite short, but in my opinion it is sufficient if the device hangs next to the battery. I'm sure the Marder takes the beeping throughout the engine compartment true;) The sound is standing barely be heard in closed hood next to the car, the interior at all. According to the manual, the device consumes less than a quartz watch.
Important:
If a marten previously ever have been in the engine compartment, it is advisable to clean the engine mount before installing again, so that fragrance / traces of the animal to be eliminated.
Conclusion:
Truly effective protection against marten damage that can be installed even cheap and with little effort. So far a few hundred euros have been invested in the repair, I would hate to think that this with the use of this low-cost ultrasound machine could have been prevented.
The authorized workshops naturally want to sell high-priced equipment, me were defense systems for several hundred euros offered, in my experience, this solution is perfectly adequate.
