Does you 912 or 911 bonnet pop open!

Need some help with a technical problem - ask away and let's see if we can all help.

Moderators: hot66, impmad2000, Nige

Post Reply
User avatar
Bootsy
Site admin and the Boss
Posts: 23841
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2003 6:09 pm
Location: Norwich
Contact:

Does you 912 or 911 bonnet pop open!

Post by Bootsy »

A solution from 912uk - Mark Collins


Yep I had enough it had to be solved and solved it is.

right how I hear you ask. Well very easy once I really sat down and looked hard

One the pin as we will call it that has the spring around it has to enter the latch square. The problem was that it was not. So adjust as much as you like it was not going to adjust enough. So off with the pin assemberly on the bonnet and large round file and file away. Now the hole is yea big and needs to yea hey big!! . much bigger. this alows you so much more ajustment.

1st step to the staying down bonnet. So with this bit done (must piont out don' t worry about making the hole too big as the washers if you look are BIG)

Now attach the pin assemberly back in place. Get down on knee and look to see if the pin is entering the latch square.

Check from the front easy bit.

Then from the side Hard bit as you have to look along the inside of the bonnet just as it closes you will see the pin enter the latch. If you need to add a little tip ex to the center of the side of the latch so you can see it. This will help
The chances are that it is not going in square. So this is the bit that makes all the difference. You have to get tough. Large adjustable spaner. You will need to open it enough to cover the pin and the spring and you have to bend the pin so as to make it square to the latch. Yes you think you are going to do some damage but I have done it and it has worked fine no damage . To be sure just do a little at a time. Once you have moved the pin to make sure it is square back on your knees to see if it is. Chances are you will have to get out the 10mm spanner again and adjust the pin assemberly back abit. As when you bent the pin in to shape it has moved the alinement.

now for the test don' t just shut the bonnet because if it is wrong then it will lock and you can' t get it open. Put your hand under the bonnet so as to be able to hold the safety latch back and close and open the bonnet on the spring with out shutting it totaly if this works fine then you will be able to close the bonnet and open it again. If you push down and you can' t open it again DON' T fully shut it pull out and up and it should open again. If not keep trying it should open again. Then get the 10mm spanner out again and adjust it again until the above happens ( the spring open /shut easy)

Mine is now OK I have just driven from Abbottsbury to Dorchester along loverly views but a very bumpy road and er nothing one staying shut bonnet. and it opens at the other end to put the shopping in. COOL or what!!!!!!! oh and the red 924 that parked next to my 912 in Tesco' s to night .........sorry i like the 12' s too much. Yes I know it' s red but it' s a 924.


M
1972 911T | 1994 993 Carrera | 1999 986 Boxster | 1990 T25 Camper

Vintage Heuer, Omega, Zenith and other vintage watches - http://www.heuerheritage.co.uk
912uk
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 5954
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 11:02 pm

Post by 912uk »

I will try and take some photo's of this and I am happy to show any one when we all meet up say at Sandown or the pre 73 event in may. It is very easy and when you see what I mean it makes so much sence. The whole piont is the pin HAS to go in the latch dead square 360* degrees otherwise it pops open. Your car may have had the front panel changed or a new bonnet or like mine it must have at the front edge of the bonnet bumped at some time.. all this will put it slightly out of line.
gav p
DDK slapper chatter
Posts: 454
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 1:48 pm
Location: SW London

Post by gav p »

Mine stopped popping once I had thoroughly degreased the mechanism. It still works just as well without lube but now never pops on its own.... worth a try :wink:
Gavin

'73 911E -> 2.7mfi
'94 968 Sport
912uk
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 5954
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 11:02 pm

Post by 912uk »

But if the alinement is still not 100% it could pop up. I will try later with more time to do a phew pictures and drawings. It's not rocket science it's just getting the pin and latch back to where it was when 30 odd years of car park shunts and dodgey car bodge it and fix people have done to it over the years..

Mark
Guest

Post by Guest »

I had a problem with the bonnet not staying shut, I messed around with the mechanism and couldn't get it to reliably stay shut, but eventually found out the problem wasn't with the latch, but with the pull handle inside the car. It had started to unscrew from the cable and slackened off the adjustment. Wish I realised this before spending an inordanant amount of time messing wqith the latch.
Helen
Events Organiser
Posts: 5519
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:55 pm
Location: Cumbria

Post by Helen »

had this problem at the end of this summer.
gave the latch & pin a good clean and re-greased and all was well untill the week-end before last when i took the car down to Bruntingthorpe.

its now a nightmare and i just can't seem to get the stupid thing to stay shut.

in desperation, i'm thinking of fitting bonnet clips like an R/S :evil:
member#1182
Currently Porscheless but on the look out for my 30th
TimB
DDK slapper chatter
Posts: 472
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:09 pm
Location: Cheshire

Post by TimB »

Had this problem last year...turned out to be the sheath that the relaease cable runs in was caught on the edge of the lower part of the catch mechanism in the front panel therefore never letting the catch engage properly with the slightest bump popping open the bonnet.
Once it had been pointed out to me fixed in seconds!!!
Worth a look Helen, if this is the problem on yours you will have a no cost fix and a great deal of satisfaction.......if like me this will then change to embarrassment that you didn't spot it but at least you will know you are not the only one!
Tim
Helen
Events Organiser
Posts: 5519
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:55 pm
Location: Cumbria

Post by Helen »

TimB wrote:Had this problem last year...turned out to be the sheath that the relaease cable runs in was caught on the edge of the lower part of the catch mechanism in the front panel therefore never letting the catch engage properly with the slightest bump popping open the bonnet.
Once it had been pointed out to me fixed in seconds!!!
Worth a look Helen, if this is the problem on yours you will have a no cost fix and a great deal of satisfaction.......if like me this will then change to embarrassment that you didn't spot it but at least you will know you are not the only one!
well worth a look. thanks. when it stops raining i'll go and take a look.

why does Porsche make these things so fiddly to get at :evil:
member#1182
Currently Porscheless but on the look out for my 30th
dogbower
DDK forever
Posts: 726
Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:10 pm
Location: hexham

Re: Does you 912 or 911 bonnet pop open!

Post by dogbower »

Just sorted mine, it required the pin extending. Just undo the the nut and it screws out, then do the nut back up. :)
1971 911E
1990 986S
BILLY BEAN
DDK 1st, 2nd and 3rd for me!
Posts: 2103
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 12:42 am
Location: Oxfordshire

Re: Does you 912 or 911 bonnet pop open!

Post by BILLY BEAN »

Rear tow hook. Anyone know how this attaches to the rear? Does it use any existing fittings on an early 911 or are new holes/ bolts required? Thanks. Image

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Rust Never Sleeps
Lightweight_911
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 16793
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:48 pm
Location: Worcs/W Mids border

Re: Does you 912 or 911 bonnet pop open!

Post by Lightweight_911 »

.

I think you posted this in the wrong place Kirk !

The rear tow hook uses 2 of the existing bolts which attach the osr bumper to body ...

.
Andy

“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
Lightweight_911
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 16793
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:48 pm
Location: Worcs/W Mids border

Re: Does you 912 or 911 bonnet pop open!

Post by Lightweight_911 »

.

Further to my earlier reply, when fitting the rear tow hook (option M428) the std bumper attachment bolts (M8 x 25) were replaced by longer (M8 x 35) versions.


.
Andy

“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
Gduplock
DDK Seasoned Poster
Posts: 42
Joined: Wed May 06, 2015 1:25 pm

Re: Does you 912 or 911 bonnet pop open!

Post by Gduplock »

Had this problem for a couple of years 2014-16.

Followed advice to clean up, rotate plunger, adjust length and add some metal to end of plunger.

Nothing successful.

Asked independent specialist to look at it when they were doing some other work. They replaced cable first, did not solve, then they replaced lower part (attached to body) no success. Bought and fitted new upper part (with plunger). Never any problem again!

Only problem, it cost me a lot a angst for couple of years and worst of all at least £250!!
Graham

Canterbury, Kent

1968 Porsche 911L Sportomatic
1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
1968 Austin A60 Cambridge
2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet
redrobin911
Put a fork in me, I'm done!
Posts: 1594
Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 11:56 pm
Location: Northern Ireland

Re: Does you 912 or 911 bonnet pop open!

Post by redrobin911 »

Gduplock wrote:Had this problem for a couple of years 2014-16.

Followed advice to clean up, rotate plunger, adjust length and add some metal to end of plunger.

Nothing successful.

Asked independent specialist to look at it when they were doing some other work. They replaced cable first, did not solve, then they replaced lower part (attached to body) no success. Bought and fitted new upper part (with plunger). Never any problem again!

Only problem, it cost me a lot a angst for couple of years and worst of all at least £250!!
Same for me the only solution was a new top and bottom latch.. problem solved. Fiddling not required, just parts.
65 911 FIA race car
66 911 RHD restoration
67 911S LHD
74 911 Carrera 2.7 US Spec
79 Aistream Excella 28 MH
97 Bimota Vdue
14 KTM 690R Duke
83 RD350 YPVS
08 Ducati M900
00 Ducati 996SPS
944 T, 3.2 RSR, GT3 - SOLD
GonzoBard
DDK addict
Posts: 114
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2015 11:38 pm

Re: Does you 912 or 911 bonnet pop open!

Post by GonzoBard »

My bonnet did pop open. Found it was the rubber seal around the ‘rain gutter’ that was not in correctly and was preventing the bonnet from closing properly. Easily sorted.
Post Reply