This is my first post on this forum. I have 3.0 (i think) flexfuel engine which was removed and given a partial rebuild by a friend of mine. He then ditched on the job and left the engine hanging from the lift, wrapped in a tarp, for 6 months. When he finally returned, he said a rat came out of it! He the set the engine back in the truck and left and still hasnt returned.
Aside from the fact that he didnt reconnect anything (he just wanted his lift back), im worried about the possible rat and what it may have done in the block. As well, i wonder about any damage to it from sitting for so long with just a tarp wtapped around it.
Im no mechanic... And dont have alot of money. Any suggestions?
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Without tearing the engine back apart, it is almost impossible to know what damage the rat may or may not have done, but if it ran out of the engine block, it more than likely left a nest, which basically contaminated the engine. Most people will tell you the engine will need a rebuild. Since it was just under a tarp, it was subject to moisture in the air, which can cause the engine internals to rust. Again, no real way to know without tearing the engine down. If you are short on cash, this engine is probably too far gone, and it would be cheaper to find a lightly used engine to swap in, and hopefully you would be able to find a trustworthy mechanic to do the swap, as your "friend" is neither trustworthy nor a mechanic.

 

Welcome to the forum

I don't think a mouse/rat would be "in" an engine block, maybe on top of it under the tarp

I assume the oil pan was on or he wouldn't have put it back in the vehicle, so no rats in the crank case(the block)

If oil pan is not on then you will have to pull engine out in any case, to put oil pan on, and can look for rat's nests at that time

Ranger flex fuel were only 3.0l engines, and 1998 to 2003 model years

If the heads and lower intake are on you can flush engines cooling passages with a garden hose to see if any nest material comes out