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        General >> Problems >> Bonnet release not working
        
(Message started by: ottopmh on May 9^th, 2007, 7:19am)

Title: Bonnet release not working
Post by ottopmh on May 9^th, 2007, 7:19am

Didn't see this coming...

Someone may remember my previous problem - coolant leak coming from the plate in cylinder head. Well, I've not fixed it as the coolant has to be topped up once or twice in a month. Now it would be that time of the month, but.... yep. Not nice.

Tried to open it yesterday and nothing happened. Pulling the release felt normal except the fact that nothing happened.

I dismantled the handle and then pulled the cable. Feels like it would try take hold of something but just can't do it. In the very end of cable's room for manoeuvre I can feel slight threshold or something (hard to describe it in English:)) and also a slight click can be heard from the bonnet end of the cable. But nothing happens. I've also tried to twirl and pull, but the result is always exactly the same.

I'm afraid that the cable's end nipple is broken in the bonnet end.

I found one good hint from one similar thread. Someone adviced to remove the cooling fans to gain some room. That was on 24v. Mine is 2,3 - any idea if this method could be used for 2,3 as well?

Any other advices? All help will be highly appreciated!

Or shall I just use an angle grinder and buy a new bonnet.... That would be the LAST resort:)

Title: Re: Bonnet release not working
Post by Spannerdemon on May 9^th, 2007, 8:44am

Two ways: Firstly, make sure you can SEE what you're doing. A good worklight is useful for this job. If you know what the catch looks like, that's a big help. maybe a quick visit to your local scrapyard to look at one. In fact if it's cheap, buy it, as a spare in case the other one's broken.

Either try to get hold of the catch mechanism through the gap between the grille and the bonnet with some long handled pliers/pipe wrench etc, or...

Put the front of the car up on axle stands, chock the back wheels, and get at the catch from underneath the front of the car.

In the second case, if you can get somone to press down on the front of the bonnet, to ease the load on the catch, it would be helpful.

It's fiddly, but they are probably your only options now. ;)

Obviously, on re-assembly, lots of grease round the catch, and some oil down the cable.

This is a common 'garage job'. People ignore sticking bonnet releases, and they get stiffer and stiffer to open until the inevitable day of reckoning arrives. Not worth the hassle for a few drops of oil. :)

Title: Re: Bonnet release not working
Post by ottopmh on May 9^th, 2007, 9:19am

Light is not a problem if I can get it to the garage before the coolant level drops too much. Towing is of course possible if needed. I also have a bridge crane available - in the garage.

Scorpios are pretty rare in Finland and I think that I will not start to go through the scrap yards. Good idea anyway!

Based on the images in Ford's manuals in this site I think that the bonnet release cable is connected to the rear side of the catch. I mean pointing to the engine, not to front. Therefore I'm afraid that it can not be accessed through the grille.

I will try it from underneath. I hope that the intake pipe is not preventing access to the catch.

Funny thing is that the release has not been sticky. It has worked smoothly and did not warn about this at all.

Title: Re: Bonnet release not working
Post by TRACEYS_LIMO on May 9^th, 2007, 1:00pm

hi will post one for cost of postage if you want ;D pm me

Title: Re: Bonnet release not working
Post by sector-9 on May 9^th, 2007, 7:57pm

Some stiff wire or a bent metal coathanger may be enough to release the catch - pull it forwards to release. You should be able to get these through the grille, though it will be difficult as the catch is higher than the grille.

Darren

Title: Re: Bonnet release not working
Post by ottopmh on May 10^th, 2007, 6:34am

Thanks for the hints!

What can I say? It was EASY! I suppose that this is not a common problem and that's why no one said it to be easy:).

Removed the underpan, reached with my hand to the supposed location of the release (between radiator and engine) and found the cable at the first attempt. Perhaps there was a bit of luck too... Then I followed the cable to it's end and tried to push it to right direction. Didn't work yet - then I reached with another hand to the inner side of grille, pulled bonnet downwards and tried again releasing - and it opened.

So, only thing to be removed is the underpan. At least my hand fitted - barely though - between radiator and intake pipe. And reached the release with my fingertip. In an emergency situation that could be done anywhere. I think that the release can be reached even when lying on ground.

And quess what? The cable and release system are in perfect condition!!! I assume that the bonnet was not completely closed even though it felt like it. That must have somehow made the release so tight that I just didn't dare to pull the cable hard enough. It has done once so that I thought the bonnet was closed, but after about 150 kilometers it popped up. Luckily there is the safety catch!

Title: Re: Bonnet release not working
Post by Spannerdemon on May 10^th, 2007, 8:32am

Good news!! I did actually SAY to try between the grille and the bonnet, because of the location. Not through the grille.

Glad you've got it fixed anyway. :D

Title: Re: Bonnet release not working
Post by petehull on May 10^th, 2007, 9:01am

Renault Clio owners don't have this problem.... :P

c/o Whatchdog :-/

Pete