Michael Downing
New member
Just a quick note in case anyone else meets this problem.
Symptom: After checking the fluid levels, you try to close the engine compartment cover and it won't latch. Instead, it sits proud of the bodywork, unlocked and openable by hand.[&:]
Cure v1: Close it again, only harder
(Note: Cure v1 doesn't work)
Cure v2: Have another go
(Note: Cure v2 doesn't work either)
Cure v3: Open the cover, look for stuff left in the way of it closing
(Note, Cure v3 didn't work for me, this time, although it has in the past)
Cure v4. Rant a bit, then worry, they furrow one's brow, then have a good look round the engine compartment and notice that the latch looks a bit loose. Tighten the bolt shown with an arrow in the attached picture, together with its twin on the other side of the latch. A 10mm spanner is required*. Close the lid; it latches and remains closed. Feel smug.
(Note: Cure v4 works, but produces Symptom 2)
Symptom 2: Engine compartment cover will not open.[
]
Cure v5: Ask an assistant to pull the release lever in the cabin while you lift the cover. Give a sigh of relief when the cover opens. Loosen the bolts, adjust the position of the latch so that it is as far into the engine compartment as possible, and tighten. Now, you'll find that the lid won't close. Loosen the latch, adjust it slightly towards you, and re-tighten. Continue until a satisfactory compromise is reached.
The reason for this is that the cover is pulled out of the latch by the springiness of the various seals, etc. For this, it needs to be tight shut. When I just tightened the latch retaining bolts, the latch was at the upper end of its range of movement, and the cover sat a little proud. This meant that the cover was not being urged upwards by the seals etc as (I assume) it wasn't compressing them. So pulling the release lever had no effect unless I was there to pull the cover open.
And thereby passes a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the garage..... []
-------------------------------------------------
*Strangely, my spanner set contained every size of spanner except the 10mm spanner, which had decided to go for a walk. An adjustable spanner is an acceptable replacement. If anyone sees my 10mm spanner on its travels, please let me know.
Symptom: After checking the fluid levels, you try to close the engine compartment cover and it won't latch. Instead, it sits proud of the bodywork, unlocked and openable by hand.[&:]
Cure v1: Close it again, only harder
(Note: Cure v1 doesn't work)
Cure v2: Have another go
(Note: Cure v2 doesn't work either)
Cure v3: Open the cover, look for stuff left in the way of it closing
(Note, Cure v3 didn't work for me, this time, although it has in the past)
Cure v4. Rant a bit, then worry, they furrow one's brow, then have a good look round the engine compartment and notice that the latch looks a bit loose. Tighten the bolt shown with an arrow in the attached picture, together with its twin on the other side of the latch. A 10mm spanner is required*. Close the lid; it latches and remains closed. Feel smug.
(Note: Cure v4 works, but produces Symptom 2)
Symptom 2: Engine compartment cover will not open.[
]Cure v5: Ask an assistant to pull the release lever in the cabin while you lift the cover. Give a sigh of relief when the cover opens. Loosen the bolts, adjust the position of the latch so that it is as far into the engine compartment as possible, and tighten. Now, you'll find that the lid won't close. Loosen the latch, adjust it slightly towards you, and re-tighten. Continue until a satisfactory compromise is reached.
The reason for this is that the cover is pulled out of the latch by the springiness of the various seals, etc. For this, it needs to be tight shut. When I just tightened the latch retaining bolts, the latch was at the upper end of its range of movement, and the cover sat a little proud. This meant that the cover was not being urged upwards by the seals etc as (I assume) it wasn't compressing them. So pulling the release lever had no effect unless I was there to pull the cover open.
And thereby passes a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the garage..... [
]-------------------------------------------------
*Strangely, my spanner set contained every size of spanner except the 10mm spanner, which had decided to go for a walk. An adjustable spanner is an acceptable replacement. If anyone sees my 10mm spanner on its travels, please let me know.
