Hood Release Issues
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Hood Release Issues
I tried to release the hood while the car was parked in the garage, and the pull was extremely hard (the first time) but it finally released anyway. I checked the oil and dropped the hood. I then decided I wanted to check the hood release to make sure it was OK. That time I could not get it to release at all. (the pull on the release handle felt very stiff) I thought 'Oh No, I haven't provided an emergency hood release for that situation. (recommended many times on this site)'
The next day I pulled the car out of the garage, and in the drivway the hood release worked just fine. I suspect that while it was in the garage I had the right front tire up on a 2x4 that was laying on the floor right next to the car, and that twisted the frame enough to jam the hood mechanism. That would be another example of the lack of frame stiffness characteristic of the C4s. Oh well.
I decided I had better provide an emergence release in case the release cables do give me problems down the road. I took extra long nylon wiring zip ties and tied them around the release lever under the hood and fed the ends to lay under the wiper blades. I tested it out and it seems to work very well. That setup is not as sturdy as some have described, but it was extremely quick and easy to do. (2 min)
If I do lose a cable I may need to do something more sturdy, but this will allow me to get the hood open on an emergency basis.
The next day I pulled the car out of the garage, and in the drivway the hood release worked just fine. I suspect that while it was in the garage I had the right front tire up on a 2x4 that was laying on the floor right next to the car, and that twisted the frame enough to jam the hood mechanism. That would be another example of the lack of frame stiffness characteristic of the C4s. Oh well.
I decided I had better provide an emergence release in case the release cables do give me problems down the road. I took extra long nylon wiring zip ties and tied them around the release lever under the hood and fed the ends to lay under the wiper blades. I tested it out and it seems to work very well. That setup is not as sturdy as some have described, but it was extremely quick and easy to do. (2 min)
If I do lose a cable I may need to do something more sturdy, but this will allow me to get the hood open on an emergency basis.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,447
Likes: 14
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
I learned this awhile back from Mr.Mojo. Haven't had to use it yet but it's nice to know it's there
Thanks Frank
Thanks Frank
Last edited by bizaro; Apr 4, 2007 at 06:18 PM.
