Hey guys...Need some ideas on how to get my 240's hood open. The hood latch on the driver's side has been broken since I bought it and it has been no big deal since it opened fine and I just needed to use a prop to keep it up. I checked the oil last week and it gave me a bit of a hassle latching when I tried to close it. After closing it a few times (not slamming it), it finally latched. So, last night, I go to check the oil. I pull on the hood release and it's jammed. Tried pushing down on the hood to see if that might free it up but, nothing. Any ideas on how I can get it opened? Doesn't look like I can remove the grill from outside the car.

 

i'd try the bouncing your palms on the center of the hood again, with a helper pulling/wiggling on the cable...

 

Thanx Pierce, I'll give that a shot tonight. If it wasn't for the oil change she's due for and checking the fluids, it wouldn't be a huge deal since that engine has been pretty bulletproof in the 10 months I have owned her (hope I didn't just jinx myself).

 

oh, and when you DO get it open, grease the F' out of that spring-plunger thing next to the safety catch. make sure that the plate that holds those is firmly bolted to the lid, and that the other part of the catch is also firmly bolted to the radiator crossbrace piece. grease the bottom part too. use a heavy wheel grease.

 

Try puling up on the hood while a helper is yanking on the release cable...

 

^^^ what he said, and something else I did to, got a foot long, inch wide, 1/4" thick piece of steel to put between the hood and grill to help pry it open.

Also, what pierce said regarding greasing it is good, but first clean off any built up gunk. Once I cleaned all the gunk off mine, it started opening just fine. Hope this helps!

 

while you're in their cleaning and greasing, make sure the plunger thing goes cleanly in the hole and isn't bent so its hitting it at an angle. you can screw/unscrew the end to set the height that the hood sits at, then the rubber screw blocks on the side edges of the hood can be screwed up or down to take up any slack. you dont want it too tight, but it shouldn't rattle either.

 

Finally had a chance to try it out yesterday and no luck. She ain't budging. Since the previous owner took out the condenser, I have some room to try releasing it from underneath the car. Hope that works.

 

do make sure that the hood release cable is even attached to the lever. Make sure the cable itself is being pulled on, and do try to pry it open.

 

Don't forget to oil the hood hinges. They can break from lack of lubrication, and it is not a fun job to replace by yourself. Don't ask how I know this.

Good Luck
Fred

 

You should be able to see the latch from underneath the front end of the car. Having the condenser removed should make this all the easier. First, crawl under there and have someone pull the release mechanism inside the car. You should see the cable attached to the lever on the latch move. If the cable is not attached to the latching mechanism, then the cable needs to be re-attached or replaced.

If the cable is still attached to the latch and you can see the latch move when your buddy releases the hood from inside the car, then most likely the plunger that goes into the latch is out of alignment. I have had this happen on multiple occasions. To release it, have your buddy hold the release within the car. Then, from under the car, use a hammer and bar to tap on the plunger. A few taps and the hood will release. Then you should adjust the latching mechanism so it no longer binds.

Good luck.