Ran over dead deer this am

[52172]

And caused some damage. Cracked my oil pan and bent my radiator support and ac condensor and maybe damaged the steering rack? Shut it down and got a tow waiting for more in depth inspection tomorrow. Hoping its not too bad as this is my commuter for work and she runs good. I have a diesel geek panzer skid plate but all that happened still. Title is already rebuilt from last deer. Do have comprehensive coverage so insurance will help cover damages minus 500 dollar deductible. I guess i’ll wait to hear damage report tomorrow. Anyone else ever run over a deer or something and caused similar damage? Fingers crossed.

 

[J_dude]

I hope you shut the engine off immediately...

 

[52172]

I did pretty much. Car also has liquimoly ms02 in the oil and its ceratec treated.

 

[52172]

No low oil pressure light came on before shut down. Last time I cracked the oil pan on a rock the low oil pressure light lit up then I shut down.

 

[Nuje]

It's always surprised me when driving through the California central valley and even along the 101 how there's not more wildlife causing havoc on the roads - but your history suggests that it is indeed a problem. Out here (Vancouver Island) they're quite a problem. Close to once a week, I'll come across dead deer out on my 50km bike ride.
Just yesterday, I came upon some first responder vehicles lit up.....there was a car in the ditch with all airbags deployed, roughly 200m past a smattering of car debris from some kind of collision and then noticed the source of that collision: a full-size black bear (looked dead) in the ditch.

Anyway, hope you're able to get your car fixed up with minimal disruption.

 

[pkhoury]

And caused some damage. Cracked my oil pan and bent my radiator support and ac condensor and maybe damaged the steering rack? Shut it down and got a tow waiting for more in depth inspection tomorrow. Hoping its not too bad as this is my commuter for work and she runs good. I have a diesel geek panzer skid plate but all that happened still. Title is already rebuilt from last deer. Do have comprehensive coverage so insurance will help cover damages minus 500 dollar deductible. I guess i’ll wait to hear damage report tomorrow. Anyone else ever run over a deer or something and caused similar damage? Fingers crossed.

Did your airbags go off at all? I ran over a dead buck a few years ago, and it made my right front passenger seat airbag deploy. My insurance company totaled that car (2004 BEW Golf). Amazingly, I had three total losses for that particular car (2 from deer, 1 from hail).

That must've been a big f**king deer, even with the skid plate. When I got in my near fatal accident, it obliterated the panzer plate, but the oil pan was still intact amazingly.

Steering rack is a pain, because you gotta drop the subframe, but it's otherwise easy to replace. Same on the core support. In fact, all that you mentioned is fairly easy to replace, albeit time consuming.

Oh, and this will make you laugh - the day after I ran over that dead buck, I ran over a f**king dead wild hog... in the SAME CAR! DPS was laughing, because he was like "Didn't I just take a report for you in another car, hitting a deer 2 months ago?" And he did, too! Hell, I've hit coons and it's cost me $1800-2200 in damages. I keep a $100 deductible for this reason.

 

[pkhoury]

It's always surprised me when driving through the California central valley and even along the 101 how there's not more wildlife causing havoc on the roads - but your history suggests that it is indeed a problem. Out here (Vancouver Island) they're quite a problem. Close to once a week, I'll come across dead deer out on my 50km bike ride.
Just yesterday, I came upon some first responder vehicles lit up.....there was a car in the ditch with all airbags deployed, roughly 200m past a smattering of car debris from some kind of collision and then noticed the source of that collision: a full-size black bear (looked dead) in the ditch.

Anyway, hope you're able to get your car fixed up with minimal disruption.

I was pretty damn worried the last time I visited @turbobrick240 in Maine, hoping I wouldn't see an elk or moose. Actually, on the way to his farm one night, I did hit a deer (also in the aforementioned 2004 BEW), that richocheted off my rear right door and dented the door shell. That made for a crappy night.

I'm surprised there are deer in Buelton. I bet it was pretty big, though. Only place I've seen deer in CA was around Amador/Calaveras County, and the white tail out there are a lot bigger than those here in Texas Hill Country.

 

[Matt-98AHU]

I was pretty damn worried the last time I visited @turbobrick240 in Maine, hoping I wouldn't see an elk or moose. Actually, on the way to his farm one night, I did hit a deer (also in the aforementioned 2004 BEW), that richocheted off my rear right door and dented the door shell. That made for a crappy night.

I'm surprised there are deer in Buelton. I bet it was pretty big, though. Only place I've seen deer in CA was around Amador/Calaveras County, and the white tail out there are a lot bigger than those here in Texas Hill Country.

I always thought the deer in the Sierras were relatively small compared to the giants they grow up in Michigan where I was born!

 

[pkhoury]

I always thought the deer in the Sierras were relatively small compared to the giants they grow up in Michigan where I was born!

I've seen a couple while out in wine country and I'm guessing the lack of human predators explained why they were enormous. Like I was seeing does the size of mature bucks out here. Of course, here in Texas, we have sikh (Axis) deer, native whitetails, and there are blackbuck antelope floating around from time to time.

 

[PakProtector]

And here I was avoiding a very large, very dead skunk in the middle of the road this morning. Right in the middle of the road. Not wanting to consider anything larger, panzer plate or no...

Douglas

 

[52172]

Thanks brother.

Did your airbags go off at all? I ran over a dead buck a few years ago, and it made my right front passenger seat airbag deploy. My insurance company totaled that car (2004 BEW Golf). Amazingly, I had three total losses for that particular car (2 from deer, 1 from hail).

That must've been a big f**king deer, even with the skid plate. When I got in my near fatal accident, it obliterated the panzer plate, but the oil pan was still intact amazingly.

Steering rack is a pain, because you gotta drop the subframe, but it's otherwise easy to replace. Same on the core support. In fact, all that you mentioned is fairly easy to replace, albeit time consuming.

Oh, and this will make you laugh - the day after I ran over that dead buck, I ran over a f**king dead wild hog... in the SAME CAR! DPS was laughing, because he was like "Didn't I just take a report for you in another car, hitting a deer 2 months ago?" And he did, too! Hell, I've hit coons and it's cost me $1800-2200 in damages. I keep a $100 deductible for this reason.

No my airbags did not go off. Im already on a salvaged title from the last deer, so will they make me salvage it again? Kind of a pain in the ass going to dmv for new plates each time. Wonder if my insurance will give less money because car is on salvaged title? I think the comprehensive limit went up to 5000 from 3500. Ill replace everything because the car is so good for my commute. Couldnt find anything that is as good for my 90m commute each day. Alh is reliable and lasts a long long time.

 

[pkhoury]

Thanks brother.

No my airbags did not go off. Im already on a salvaged title from the last deer, so will they make me salvage it again? Kind of a pain in the ass going to dmv for new plates each time. Wonder if my insurance will give less money because car is on salvaged title? I think the comprehensive limit went up to 5000 from 3500. Ill replace everything because the car is so good for my commute. Couldnt find anything that is as good for my 90m commute each day. Alh is reliable and lasts a long long time.

That's a good question. My crash this past March in Fresno resulted in the only time I ever was forced to apply for a salvage title. Everything else, the insurance company never flagged my VIN, so I just kept on registering it as a clean title vehicle. I don't know if they could force you to get a salvage title again, and then have to apply for a rebuilt salvage title a second time.

Out of curiosity, who's your insurance company? I use both Geico and Farmers, but I'm starting to learn that I could use Geico to insure my JSW, which will soon be on a rebuilt salvage title, with Farmers for my two Golf's. I had Geico already, because Farmers won't insure my F-450, and they charge twice as much for premiums with higher deductibles for my farm trailers.

If you're able to do your own mechanical work, I'd also go that route, and just pay a body shop to do the body work. That's what I've done on all my cars and saved tremendously, but it also helps that the owners of the body shop I use are very good family friends.

 

[jmodge]

In two weeks I’m going to see if I can stop at least one of those deer from ever crossing a road again.
Donna’s hit three deer and a large pothole or two. The pan has been dented and hit hard enough to cause a leak at the seal, but has resealed twice now

 

[PakProtector]

HA! after clocking a pair in a period separated by a month, I was about to stand outside and offer to buy tags for folk who were not taking all they could.

Douglas

 

[52172]

That's a good question. My crash this past March in Fresno resulted in the only time I ever was forced to apply for a salvage title. Everything else, the insurance company never flagged my VIN, so I just kept on registering it as a clean title vehicle. I don't know if they could force you to get a salvage title again, and then have to apply for a rebuilt salvage title a second time.

Out of curiosity, who's your insurance company? I use both Geico and Farmers, but I'm starting to learn that I could use Geico to insure my JSW, which will soon be on a rebuilt salvage title, with Farmers for my two Golf's. I had Geico already, because Farmers won't insure my F-450, and they charge twice as much for premiums with higher deductibles for my farm trailers.

If you're able to do your own mechanical work, I'd also go that route, and just pay a body shop to do the body work. That's what I've done on all my cars and saved tremendously, but it also helps that the owners of the body shop I use are very good family friends.

I use usaa.

 

[turbobrick240]

I was pretty damn worried the last time I visited @turbobrick240 in Maine, hoping I wouldn't see an elk or moose. Actually, on the way to his farm one night, I did hit a deer (also in the aforementioned 2004 BEW), that richocheted off my rear right door and dented the door shell. That made for a crappy night.

I'm surprised there are deer in Buelton. I bet it was pretty big, though. Only place I've seen deer in CA was around Amador/Calaveras County, and the white tail out there are a lot bigger than those here in Texas Hill Country.

A moose would have made for a much worse night. An elk would have made headlines since we don't have those up here. There were Caribou before they were hunted to extinction 100+ years ago. They tried to reintroduce them back in the 90's, but the effort was unsuccessful.

How many deer have you made contact with in vehicles? I had one run into the side of my first turbo Volvo 240 when I was a teenager. It just bounced off and only left a tuft of fur in the side trim. Those cars are absolute tanks. Then I obliterated a large buck one night twenty years ago when it jumped out in front of my (very loud) Dodge caravan at about 55 mph. That guy fed my beagle for weeks. Have had many, many close calls since, but no contact. I see them out in the road just about every night.

 

[pkhoury]

I use usaa.

I'm not sure how they'll respond. I've heard they practically force a salvage title, so it's entirely possible you'll have to do the process again. I don't know how it works in CA, but it's supposedly fairly easy here in TX.

A moose would have made for a much worse night. An elk would have made headlines since we don't have those up here. There were Caribou before they were hunted to extinction 100+ years ago. They tried to reintroduce them back in the 90's, but the effort was unsuccessful.

How many deer have you made contact with in vehicles? I had one run into the side of my first turbo Volvo 240 when I was a teenager. It just bounced off and only left a tuft of fur in the side trim. Those cars are absolute tanks. Then I obliterated a large buck one night twenty years ago when it jumped out in front of my (very loud) Dodge caravan at about 55 mph. That guy fed my beagle for weeks. Have had many, many close calls since, but no contact. I see them out in the road just about every night.

Same here - a moose would've made for a bad, bad night.

I'm not sure how many deer I've hit or run over. I'll have to think about that. Two in the past month; I tried to bring both home, but had a trailer full of ashe juniper for the goats, and one doe fell off the back of the trailer/branches. The other one kept both dogs happy for a couple of days, and they're still bringing back bones and whatnot. I think I counted 11 deer hits? No wait, 13. Forgot about the buck that ran right into my side view mirror/driver's side door of my 2010 JSW, and another one that didn't respond to the horn when I hit her at 45mph (same car). Then there are a bunch of coons (which cause a lot of damage as well), rabbits, a tarantula once (felt really bad about that, as I love spiders), a road runner, two foxes, possums, close calls with armadillos, a great dane when I lived in CA (that was traumatic, as I was taking my two dogs to go exercise after a long day of grad school). Way too many animals, but that's what happens when you live rural.

Yeah, the insurance companies really love me...

 

[turbobrick240]

Yeah, dogs are the worst. One darted out in front of my "GTD" late one night. Fortunately I slammed on the brakes and got down to 5-10 mph before striking it. It got up and walked off a bit dazed. I've hit a couple cats, but they darted out so quick, there was nothing I could do. They both met their demise instantly, so it wasn't too unsettling.

 

[pkhoury]

Yeah, dogs are the worst. One darted out in front of my "GTD" late one night. Fortunately I slammed on the brakes and got down to 5-10 mph before striking it. It got up and walked off a bit dazed. I've hit a couple cats, but they darted out so quick, there was nothing I could do. They both met their demise instantly, so it wasn't too unsettling.

It was unsettling for me, because I stopped to see if it was okay, and some people in a nearby house were laughing and said "Good, I hope it died." Some people are so callous.

 

[P2B]

I was following a small Mazda sedan on a 2 lane highway at twilight about 15 years ago when a good sized deer darted out of the ditch and the Mazda hit it squarely. The deer flew a good 15 feet in the air and - I kid you not - landed in the bed of a pickup going in the other direction!

There were no injuries, but the Mazda was a write off and the deer died instantly. We gave the Mazda driver a ride into town and the pickup continued on his way with the deer.

 

[jmodge]

I hit a dog while riding my Harley once. We were running 85-90 to outrun a storm. Two dogs were frolicking along the two lane up ahead of us so we slowed down. They crossed the road and one turned and ran straight at me, I split it’s shoulders with my front tire going about 55. When I looked back it was about 15’ in the air and coming down. Ripped one exhaust pipe and bolt right out of the head. Held it on with a bungee.

We were on our way to a friends party up north. He didn’t bother to tell us we had to climb logging roads uphill to get there.
By the time I headed home I had bungees holding my exhaust, as well as gas and oil tanks from cracked mounts. Lost function of my rear master and front caliper, fortunately the calipers were the same and I had a front brake. Could have been worse. I remember having a pretty good time actually

 

[J_dude]

I’ve hit (or been hit by) 7 deer in as many years, but luckily only three of those hits caused actual damage, and two of them were in my old beater Chevy that I don’t care about so I’ve only made one wildlife claim so far.
Actually ran right over top of one doe that “merged” in front of me while I was driving my Dad’s Yukon once, I wasn’t going very fast though and the deer got up and walked away, big puddle of blood on the road.

 

[irvingj]

And at 75 years of age and literally millions of miles driven, in all kinds of vehicles, all over this country, northern Europe, northeastern Canada and southern Japan, I've never hit a deer.

Still remember the one beagle I got back in 1966, still feel bad about it, can point to the exact spot, and remember it with sadness every time I drive by there. A few squirrels, chipmunks, and I think one skunk, but nothing larger. Just lucky, I guess....

 

[dcjkrueger]

I hit a raccoon in Ohio in 2022. Ripped off the skid plate. Damaged the radiator and the AC cooler. Insurance covered it. Not cheap. Had to beg the insurance company and repair shop to not total out the car. 2001 VW Jetta TDI. Had about 300,000 miles on it at the time. Up to 347,000 miles today !!

 

[52172]

I hit a raccoon in Ohio in 2022. Ripped off the skid plate. Damaged the radiator and the AC cooler. Insurance covered it. Not cheap. Had to beg the insurance company and repair shop to not total out the car. 2001 VW Jetta TDI. Had about 300,000 miles on it at the time. Up to 347,000 miles today !!

Thats where all my damage is but much larger animal. My shop told me I need to have it towed to the body shop since the type of work it needs is more in line with what they do. I just hope I didnt damage the block or transmission. Will be getting vehicle towed to body shop this afternoon.

 

[shoebear]

I've replaced my radiator support a couple of times, and my oil pan once. The aftermarket support fitment is hit and miss. Here's one I bought a few months ago and installed 10 days ago that fit pretty well:

Radiator Support Compatible with... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GL9QCB5​

The only issue I had is that the threaded bushing for the center bolt of the hood latch support spun in place and made tightening difficult. However, I don't guarantee that one YOU buy from this listing will fit well -- I've seen Amazon change suppliers without notice on stuff like this. Hopefully, you'll get one from the same manufacturer who made mine.

Fel-Pro sells an oil pan gasket. I advise you not to use it because it spaces the pan down a mm or two. This makes it very difficult to install the horizontal bolts from the transmission side, because the holes are now misaligned. It *is* possible, but you will have a very tough time.

When I replaced my radiator support, I also:

• Replaced my large radiator fan, including transferring and soldering in the resistor
• Replaced a couple of accent bulbs in my headlights
• Replaced the short boost hose coming off the charge air cooler with a silicone hose and T-bolt clamps

The whole thing took me a day. This is one reason I'm not a professional tech -- I'm sure @oilhammer could do it in an hour or two. I needed help only once -- fitting the condensor/radiator/fan assembly into the support. There is too much that has to be supported and assembled just so for me to do it alone. In that case, I had my wife and neighbor help -- one on either side of the radiator assembly, and me on the ground with the support.

 

[PakProtector]

Also, on the gasket, using it will take away a bit of the support the oil pan lends to the block. Best to have those two bits as intimately connected as is possible. The Victor Reinz stuff IDP sells is quite fine for sealing up the oil pan joint *AND the cap does not seem to allow spoilage that I have learned to despise for lesser products.

Douglas

 

[52172]

Thanks for the tip. This will be my second radiator support. Ill get a hybrid pan and a new panzer skid plate as long as other things arent broken. Hoping the ac compressor is fine.

 

[52172]

Also, on the gasket, using it will take away a bit of the support the oil pan lends to the block. Best to have those two bits as intimately connected as is possible. The Victor Reinz stuff IDP sells is quite fine for sealing up the oil pan joint *AND the cap does not seem to allow spoilage that I have learned to despise for lesser products.

Douglas

Are you implying using no gasket and just sealer?

 

[Zak99b5]

The whole thing took me a day. This is one reason I'm not a professional tech -- I'm sure @oilhammer could do it in an hour or two. I needed help only once -- fitting the condensor/radiator/fan assembly into the support. There is too much that has to be supported and assembled just so for me to do it alone. In that case, I had my wife and neighbor help -- one on either side of the radiator assembly, and me on the ground with the support.

IDParts sells "service position" bolts (you can use any longer bolt that's the right size). They will allow you to hang the lock carrier/rad support, one side at a time, and then you can push it home and get bolts started. Replace the service position bolts with the originals, and you're done.