Engine lid won't pop open

[househead]

Bad day for me and my car today.

Have some issue with power delivery, some hesitancy which I figure could be a breathing problem. Thought I'd take a look and clean the MAF, check air filter and exhaust etc, but now my engine lid won't pop open

Tried locking and unlocking the lever unit but that didn't work. Petrol cap one works.

Anyone had this one before or know a workaround to get the damn thing open and look more closely?

[Carolyn]

You might try having a helper pull on the lever while you pry the lid upwards.  Something on the bumper to protect the paint and a bit of gentle persuasion with a suitable lever.

[househead]

You might try having a helper pull on the lever while you pry the lid upwards.  Something on the bumper to protect the paint and a bit of gentle persuasion with a suitable lever.

Yep, was thinking that too. T'will have to wait till the Mrs gets home. I think I'll be too scared to close it again if I do get it open!

[Carolyn]

You might try having a helper pull on the lever while you pry the lid upwards.  Something on the bumper to protect the paint and a bit of gentle persuasion with a suitable lever.

Yep, was thinking that too. T'will have to wait till the Mrs gets home. I think I'll be too scared to close it again if I do get it open!

The lid is popped up by the two rubber stops, which can be screwed out to give more push.  The catch can be loosened and slid to one side slightly, to enable it to release easier. A b it of grease on the catch hook and on the bar it latches to will also help.

[househead]

You might try having a helper pull on the lever while you pry the lid upwards.  Something on the bumper to protect the paint and a bit of gentle persuasion with a suitable lever.

Yep, was thinking that too. T'will have to wait till the Mrs gets home. I think I'll be too scared to close it again if I do get it open!

The lid is popped up by the two rubber stops, which can be screwed out to give more push.  The catch can be loosened and slid to one side slightly, to enable it to release easier. A b it of grease on the catch hook and on the bar it latches to will also help.

Wicked, I'll look into those as fixes if I manage to open it.

On my other problem....

So power delivery seems hesitant not immediately after moving into gear but after a few seconds of having my foot down. The note of the engine revs doesn't seem to rise as it normally would. I realise this could be quite a few things, but these are the ones on my mind...

- MAF (cleaned a month ago)
- Air filter / intake dirty or leaking (replaced a month ago)
- Sparks (replaced a month ago)
- Exhaust leak
- Cat

Any other obvious things to check?

[Carolyn]

You might try having a helper pull on the lever while you pry the lid upwards.  Something on the bumper to protect the paint and a bit of gentle persuasion with a suitable lever.

Yep, was thinking that too. T'will have to wait till the Mrs gets home. I think I'll be too scared to close it again if I do get it open!

The lid is popped up by the two rubber stops, which can be screwed out to give more push.  The catch can be loosened and slid to one side slightly, to enable it to release easier. A b it of grease on the catch hook and on the bar it latches to will also help.

Wicked, I'll look into those as fixes if I manage to open it.

On my other problem....

So power delivery seems hesitant not immediately after moving into gear but after a few seconds of having my foot down. The note of the engine revs doesn't seem to rise as it normally would. I realise this could be quite a few things, but these are the ones on my mind...

- MAF (cleaned a month ago)
- Air filter / intake dirty or leaking (replaced a month ago)
- Sparks (replaced a month ago)
- Exhaust leak
- Cat

Any other obvious things to check?

Clutch?  Leak on a vacuum hose? Leak on the intake?

[Joesson]

@househead
Can some movement be felt/ heard in the catch area when the release lever  is operated? If so that likely indicates the operating cable is still intact.
The cable may have stretched and/ or the adjustment on the lid " tension" is not currently helping with release.
I suggest you go at it from the lever end. There will be a Bowden cable with a knobbly end attached to the lever. I suggest releasing the cable from the lever and pulling the cable directly.

[househead]

@househead
Can some movement be felt/ heard in the catch area when the release lever  is operated? If so that likely indicates the operating cable is still intact.
The cable may have stretched and/ or the adjustment on the lid " tension" is not currently helping with release.
I suggest you go at it from the lever end. There will be a Bowden cable with a knobbly end attached to the lever. I suggest releasing the cable from the lever and pulling the cable directly.

Yea there is definitely some mechanism still occurring in the lever. Tbh it feels exactly as it always has, just no longer pops open.

Thanks for the insight, I'll check the cable.

Still waiting for a helping hand to arrive

[1979scotte]

@househead
Can some movement be felt/ heard in the catch area when the release lever  is operated? If so that likely indicates the operating cable is still intact.
The cable may have stretched and/ or the adjustment on the lid " tension" is not currently helping with release.
I suggest you go at it from the lever end. There will be a Bowden cable with a knobbly end attached to the lever. I suggest releasing the cable from the lever and pulling the cable directly.

Yea there is definitely some mechanism still occurring in the lever. Tbh it feels exactly as it always has, just no longer pops open.

Thanks for the insight, I'll check the cable.

Still waiting for a helping hand to arrive

I can pop over early tomorrow if you like?
Not that I've actually got a clue how to help.

[househead]

@househead
Can some movement be felt/ heard in the catch area when the release lever  is operated? If so that likely indicates the operating cable is still intact.
The cable may have stretched and/ or the adjustment on the lid " tension" is not currently helping with release.
I suggest you go at it from the lever end. There will be a Bowden cable with a knobbly end attached to the lever. I suggest releasing the cable from the lever and pulling the cable directly.

Yea there is definitely some mechanism still occurring in the lever. Tbh it feels exactly as it always has, just no longer pops open.

Thanks for the insight, I'll check the cable.

Still waiting for a helping hand to arrive

I can pop over early tomorrow if you like?
Not that I've actually got a clue how to help.

Might take you up on that bud. Be good to get a 2nd opinion!

[1979scotte]

@househead
Can some movement be felt/ heard in the catch area when the release lever  is operated? If so that likely indicates the operating cable is still intact.
The cable may have stretched and/ or the adjustment on the lid " tension" is not currently helping with release.
I suggest you go at it from the lever end. There will be a Bowden cable with a knobbly end attached to the lever. I suggest releasing the cable from the lever and pulling the cable directly.

Yea there is definitely some mechanism still occurring in the lever. Tbh it feels exactly as it always has, just no longer pops open.

Thanks for the insight, I'll check the cable.

Still waiting for a helping hand to arrive

I can pop over early tomorrow if you like?
Not that I've actually got a clue how to help.

Might take you up on that bud. Be good to get a 2nd opinion!

I've got duties to perform so it would need to be early.
Say 0830?

[househead]

@househead
Can some movement be felt/ heard in the catch area when the release lever  is operated? If so that likely indicates the operating cable is still intact.
The cable may have stretched and/ or the adjustment on the lid " tension" is not currently helping with release.
I suggest you go at it from the lever end. There will be a Bowden cable with a knobbly end attached to the lever. I suggest releasing the cable from the lever and pulling the cable directly.

Yea there is definitely some mechanism still occurring in the lever. Tbh it feels exactly as it always has, just no longer pops open.

Thanks for the insight, I'll check the cable.

Still waiting for a helping hand to arrive

I can pop over early tomorrow if you like?
Not that I've actually got a clue how to help.

Might take you up on that bud. Be good to get a 2nd opinion!

I've got duties to perform so it would need to be early.
Say 0830?

Wowzers, on a Sunday?

I'm on the beers tonight

Go on then

[1979scotte]

@househead
Can some movement be felt/ heard in the catch area when the release lever  is operated? If so that likely indicates the operating cable is still intact.
The cable may have stretched and/ or the adjustment on the lid " tension" is not currently helping with release.
I suggest you go at it from the lever end. There will be a Bowden cable with a knobbly end attached to the lever. I suggest releasing the cable from the lever and pulling the cable directly.

Yea there is definitely some mechanism still occurring in the lever. Tbh it feels exactly as it always has, just no longer pops open.

Thanks for the insight, I'll check the cable.

Still waiting for a helping hand to arrive

I can pop over early tomorrow if you like?
Not that I've actually got a clue how to help.

Might take you up on that bud. Be good to get a 2nd opinion!

I've got duties to perform so it would need to be early.
Say 0830?

Wowzers, on a Sunday?

I'm on the beers tonight

Go on then

Will you actually be awake when I turn up this time?

Pm me you number I've lost it

[1979scotte]

@househead was actually up this time.
Sorted with ease only required another pair of hands.
Rubber stops needed whineding out and wd40 applied to catch.
I'll let him explain the other issues if a maf clean hasn't sorted it.

[Joesson]

A friend in need!

[househead]

Yep, engine bay now opens, which is kinda useful! Thanks @1979scotte always a pleasure to see you.

My other problem I am now almost sure is my clutch wearing out.

Yesterday the problem was hesitancy pulling away ... revs rising somewhat normally but not being transferred to power at the wheels.

Today, after cleaning maf it initially felt a bit better (on 30mph roads). Took it for a longer blast down the motorway and experienced some slipping in 4th gear. Putting foot down pushes revs up much faster than normal and barely anything transferred to the wheels. Car revs and sounds normal when not in gear.

Any sure-fire dummy-proof test to validate it's definitely the clutch?

Regarding clutch kits, which is the best brand to use? Probably a job for a local garage at huge expense. I looked at a howto and it seems far too involved for my skill level.

[Carolyn]

Yep, engine bay now opens, which is kinda useful! Thanks @1979scotte always a pleasure to see you.

My other problem I am now almost sure is my clutch wearing out.

Yesterday the problem was hesitancy pulling away ... revs rising somewhat normally but not being transferred to power at the wheels.

Today, after cleaning maf it initially felt a bit better (on 30mph roads). Took it for a longer blast down the motorway and experienced some slipping in 4th gear. Putting foot down pushes revs up much faster than normal and barely anything transferred to the wheels. Car revs and sounds normal when not in gear.

Any sure-fire dummy-proof test to validate it's definitely the clutch?

Regarding clutch kits, which is the best brand to use? Probably a job for a local garage at huge expense. I looked at a how to and it seems far too involved for my skill level.

It's the clutch.  LUK seems popular. 

A good local family owned garage will do for this job.  It's basically the same as doing a clutch on a small front-wheel drive car.

[househead]

It's the clutch.  LUK seems popular. 

A good local family owned garage will do for this job.  It's basically the same as doing a clutch on a small front-wheel drive car.

Thanks Carolyn, I'll get an order in!

[1979scotte]

I have 2 garages near me that I trust if you don't have any local to you.

Stuart at Motorwerks
Mark at Sunningvale

Both biggin hill so not ideal for you but belive it or not just one bus. 320. It would probably take 60 mins though.

[househead]

Cheers @1979scotte I will probably use this place down the road from me if they can do a good price.

Might as well get them to grease my clutch fork, flush fluid and replace the slave cylinder while it's there. Couple of extra jobs off my list