Bonnet release- solved hope it's of some use to others!
Discussion
Afternoon all! I was due to ask a query last week but thought of looking through the old posts first,regarding what happens when your bonnet release comes ondone and the bonnet is locked shut. I read about peolpe cutting small oblongs out of the underside of the front lip of the bonnet to allow access to the hinges, and others dropping rads or starter motors; but after a while looking through the alternatives and dropping my starter i still couldn't see the bonnet release (only one of the retaining bolts).
So i went to my friends garage and he lent me a boroscope (long tube with 90 degree lens at the bottom(i think that's how it's spelt)) so i pushed a torch into the engine bay from underneath to allow it plenty of illumination; then i wedged a small plastic tape measure under the passenger side corner (nearest the windscreen) on top of the wiper motor (i think). Then with the boroscope inserted between the windscreen wipers i looked at the back of the bonnet release until i could see the cable and release mechanism,then with awelding rod bent double and looped at one end i inserted it under the bonnet and onto the cable end and pulled ....voila! (took a little while longer than this but main thing was working out the components of the release mechanism)
When i pulled the bonnet open i found that one of the two sets of locking nuts that hold the cable had come undone so tightened them up and problem solved ...any queries please let me know? hope it helps somebody!!!!
So i went to my friends garage and he lent me a boroscope (long tube with 90 degree lens at the bottom(i think that's how it's spelt)) so i pushed a torch into the engine bay from underneath to allow it plenty of illumination; then i wedged a small plastic tape measure under the passenger side corner (nearest the windscreen) on top of the wiper motor (i think). Then with the boroscope inserted between the windscreen wipers i looked at the back of the bonnet release until i could see the cable and release mechanism,then with awelding rod bent double and looped at one end i inserted it under the bonnet and onto the cable end and pulled ....voila! (took a little while longer than this but main thing was working out the components of the release mechanism)
When i pulled the bonnet open i found that one of the two sets of locking nuts that hold the cable had come undone so tightened them up and problem solved ...any queries please let me know? hope it helps somebody!!!!
Edited by bhpjon on Monday 19th May 16:16
bhpjon said:
Afternoon all! I was due to ask a query last week but thought of looking through the old posts first,regarding what happens when your bonnet release comes ondone and the bonnet is locked shut. I read about peolpe cutting small oblongs out of the underside of the front lip of the bonnet to allow access to the hinges, and others dropping rads or starter motors; but after a while looking through the alternatives and dropping my starter i still couldn't see the bonnet release (only one of the retaining bolts).
So i went to my friends garage and he lent me a boroscope (long tube with 90 degree lens at the bottom(i think that's how it's spelt)) so i pushed a torch into the engine bay from underneath to allow it plenty of illumination; then i wedged a small plastic tape measure under the passenger side corner (nearest the windscreen) on top of the wiper motor (i think). Then with the boroscope inserted between the windscreen wipers i looked at the back of the bonnet release until i could see the cable and release mechanism,then with awelding rod bent double and looped at one end i inserted it under the bonnet and onto the cable end and pulled ....voila! (took a little while longer than this but main thing was working out the components of the release mechanism)
When i pulled the bonnet open i found that one of the two sets of locking nuts that hold the cable had come undone so tightened them up and problem solved ...any queries please let me know? hope it helps somebody!!!!
Just refreshing for anyone that missed it!So i went to my friends garage and he lent me a boroscope (long tube with 90 degree lens at the bottom(i think that's how it's spelt)) so i pushed a torch into the engine bay from underneath to allow it plenty of illumination; then i wedged a small plastic tape measure under the passenger side corner (nearest the windscreen) on top of the wiper motor (i think). Then with the boroscope inserted between the windscreen wipers i looked at the back of the bonnet release until i could see the cable and release mechanism,then with awelding rod bent double and looped at one end i inserted it under the bonnet and onto the cable end and pulled ....voila! (took a little while longer than this but main thing was working out the components of the release mechanism)
When i pulled the bonnet open i found that one of the two sets of locking nuts that hold the cable had come undone so tightened them up and problem solved ...any queries please let me know? hope it helps somebody!!!!
Edited by bhpjon on Monday 19th May 16:16
Chimjunkie said:
Ingenious solution! Where else has that boroscope been??
Lots of places i don't know about probably (best not to ask!) but came in useful last year as well when i dropped one of the plenum washers inside my newly built block! 
EEK! found it straight away sitting on one of the new lifters!Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff