I never had this issue, but where my mom lives, it's a common issue with pack rats. Her mechanic found what remains of a nest.

One remedy is to install a flashing led device under the hood. There's a device Packrat that sticks to the hood using a magnet and attaches to the battery.

Paul

 

Thanks, Paulsiu. I suspect attaching to the battery would be a hassle in the XJS.

Just as an aside, in a shocking development, I'm going to have to replace that coil lead. The car runs fine, but on getting back home this evening, I decided to check the running engine, put my finger on the chewed part to make sure it was still fixed in place, and got a great jolt of electricity. I think the insulation is more chewed than I realised. Or it was from the metal contact, which the chewed part has left slightly exposed (even though I didn't touch that).
So yeah, best to replace that coil lead before the electrified aether flying around my engine bay ends up doing more damage. I wonder if this was why my Bluetooth connection (tablet to stereo) was dodgy coming back...

 

I'm doing some online shopping for new leads, and am tossing up between the cheaper Denso, which are basically OEM and what she has now, and more expensive Karlyn/STI leads. Karlyn/STI seems like a pretty good brand, and some people say quality leads can improve idle and so on.
Would it be worth it to buy the more expensive German ones? My idle isn't as smooth as it should be, so if this could help, it would be worth it I guess.
IF, of course, it would actually make any difference....

 

Which set is more proof against rodents?

 

Good question! Neither makes any mention of the nasty beasties.

 

Honestly, I don't think there will bem uch difference between the wires, unless they are a different diameter. Either 7 or 8mm is fine. I'd pick whatever is cheaper.

 

Thanks. I've gone with the Denso then. It's not only rather cheaper, but means just replacing that one wire. Plus I have backups in case the rat comes back--so long as he doesn't gnaw on the same cable!

 

it is a marelli dizzy, therefore the rat ate the lead, ran away and caught fire soon afterwards

 

Nah, it got killed by a hot cat....

 

Rat stuff.

One decided to get a drink from Billy's water bucket. ! Not a good plan. he/she fell in tot the 5 gallon bucket. Drowned. I used plastic to retrieve it. Garbage in plastic. bucket sanitized with bleach. Well rinsed, Billy got it back. he has two. Each in a different location.

Ratty wires !!! Not a good thing!

Carl