New Mule and a Rat's Nest

[Rod]

For you mule owner's if you've read many of mine and ChuckW's post on these boards, you know that we have encouraged everyone to pull the top off engine shroud and check for rat's nest. Well here is another re-enforcement of why you should do this.

I purchased a 1968 A5 mule from a friend on mine last Saturday. My friend had found this mule several months ago in a barn in south Alabama and I went with him to pick it up and take it to his house Since my friend is in the midst of a major restoration of a 170 year old house he has not had time to work on the mule but he did start collecting parts.

I brought the mule home Saturday and today I was finally was able to start working on it. The oil smelled of Gas so that meant the diaphram in the fuel pump was bad. I started pulling stuff off the engine to get to the pump. When I pulled off the top shroud I found the usual Rat's nest in the same location. I guess I am lucky because this the 3rd mule I have checked in the last year and all 3 mules have had a similar Rat's nest in the exact same location.

Here are the pictures.







I would encourage everyone to check their mule for a Rat's nest, if you don't you may ruin your engine when the left side over heats because it doesn't get enough air flow.

[Chuck W.]

Gotta love them rats! Those intake hoses don't look so good, either...I think I have some extra hose stock