So I was just wrapping up a check/top up of fluids in the engine bay and went to close up only to find that the bonnet sprung back open.

 

After a bit of an invest I found that the release catch was sticking so did my best to clean it out with some degreaser and brush before applying some white lithium grease (area to the right underneath where the cable meets the ball). Problem solved.

I did notice, however, that the latch mechanism appears corroded and has 2 cracks running along it (centre of picture) with that part of the latch starting to lift away.

 

Does anybody have any experience replacing these at all or know if this is just superficial without any bearing on the mechanisms capability to do it’s job?

 

Edited 31 July, 20232 yr by CookieMonster87

That cracked bits are just a plastic coating that does get pushed off with the corrosion that builds up. It shouldn't be anything to worry about but do keep the lubrication topped up. I do all my door locks and hinges every six months.

 

You can check that the latch is working properly yourself by pushing it into the closed with a screwdriver and then going and pulling the release yourself or work the release lever on the catch mechanism itself.

@HeavyMetalRich thanks Rich.

 

I did check the mechanism using the method above, that’s when I noticed that once pulled to the open position the latch wouldn’t return as it was sticking.

 

After a clean and grease I actuated it a few times with a screwdriver to loosen it up.

Garages love to smother all hinges and locks in ‘white grease’ or any other variant.

 

After a few weeks it’s less like grease and more like an abrasive glue. All the dirt and dust from the environment sticks to it, creates a tacky paste that binds up moving parts and also wears any coatings or metal down causing rust to form.

 

Leaving a component like this completely dry is how it should be, if it’s dry, nothing will really stick and the metal is powder coated or protected to prevent rust formation so it should be perfectly fine. If you really did want to lubricate it, a dry graphite based lubricant is your best bet.

 

same goes for door latches - they get filled with grease causing binding, motors to fail and plastic parts to swell.

 

 

edit:

the only other thing you can do with hinges and the bonnet latch is to clean the grease regularly and regressed to prevent the dirt getting into the pivot points 

Edited 31 July, 20232 yr by ApertureS

Hello, can anyone offer some advise. My bonnet release mechanism is sticking as per the photo:

I'm having to degrease the mechanism every few days, just to ensure bonnet opens. How can I get the mechanism off and does anyone know the part number. Thanks in advance