Scottish Elises

Anyone know an easy way to free up a seized S1 bonnet? That's the radiator cover rather than engine cover by the way...

I've had a grope about under the front inner arches to see if there's access to the release cable but can't find anything

Any ideas?

Cheers

Is the catch stuck or the hinge siezed?

It's the catch. There's no 'give' in the T-pull under the dash at all.

Have you tried the two person method one puling handle and the other wobbly the bonnet

The thinforth method is the place to start. I had the same problem a while back, it was caused by the pin engaging on the bracket with holds the bonnet release as well as on the catch which it is ment to engage on.

If the thinforth method doesn’t work get yourself a bit of the plastic tape stuff which they use for binding boxes (ridged plastic stuff) and work it round behind the pin (you need to get it against the pin not the spring which is round the outside of it). Then try pulling it in various directions while trying to get the cable release to move.

If that doesn’t work let me know there is another option but it is a real Ba**ard.

Graham

offshorematt wrote:Anyone know an easy way to free up a seized S1 bonnet? That's the radiator cover rather than engine cover by the way...

I've had a grope about under the front inner arches to see if there's access to the release cable but can't find anything

Any ideas?

Cheers

Matt, think I spotted you yesterday morning beside Kingswells (I was in the Ka - commuter car). If you need a hand with the bonnet, give me a shout. I stay in Inverurie.

Cheers folks. Still no luck though. I think the problem is with the pull cable rather than the catch though. There seens to be no movement in the cable. If the catch was jammed I'd expect the cable to move freely?

Graham - you mention another option? I just tried unbolting the entire catch plate but ended up losing the allan key inside the bonnet. Will try again tomorrow. The sharp plastic rain guttering is intent on cutting up my fingers and if I persevere I'm going to punch something...

Tuscan Thunder - yeah that would be me on the Kingswell's bypass. Thought I'd try the back way cause the schools were back. Hmmm. I'll give that a miss in the future! You got the Orange S1 with the 'ring sticker on the boot? Seen you at Fintray a few times I think. Cheers for the offer of help. But if I haven't got it freed soon, I'm just going to get medieval with it. Anyone know how much a new bonnet costs?

You can get the catch from pax side but will require a long thin rod/cane and a bright torch
look for the plate the cable nipple fits into it protudes out slightly and you can push it with a rod I had to do this several times when fitting and alighing a new clam and bonnet

I diddent say its easy btw but if you look at another catch from an elise if poss you will see were to push or maybe someone can photo a catch for you

Failing that I am shure if you pull the bonnet you can loosen the pin locknut and unscrew the pin but the threaded plate falls into the bonnet and is hassle to get back out I used a small magnet with a piece off string around
been three years ago so maybe a bit sketchy

offshorematt wrote:Cheers folks. Still no luck though. I think the problem is with the pull cable rather than the catch though. There seens to be no movement in the cable. If the catch was jammed I'd expect the cable to move freely?

Graham - you mention another option? I just tried unbolting the entire catch plate but ended up losing the allan key inside the bonnet. Will try again tomorrow. The sharp plastic rain guttering is intent on cutting up my fingers and if I persevere I'm going to punch something...

Tuscan Thunder - yeah that would be me on the Kingswell's bypass. Thought I'd try the back way cause the schools were back. Hmmm. I'll give that a miss in the future! You got the Orange S1 with the 'ring sticker on the boot? Seen you at Fintray a few times I think. Cheers for the offer of help. But if I haven't got it freed soon, I'm just going to get medieval with it. Anyone know how much a new bonnet costs?

Aye, that'll be me. Usually in a silver Ka on the commute but I go the opposite way to you. (except this week cos the Ka's got no MOT. Expect rain seeing how I'll be Elise-ing it all week).

I think medieval is the way forwards.........

How did you get on?

If you want to have a look at the catch on my car, let me know.... I could pop round on my way home from work.

Sounds like you might have the same problem as me which is that the pin has been pushed down through the plate which it locks into and has engaged on the mounting plate below.

Unfortunately you are on the right lines with your Alan key . What I did was take off the wiper and use a cut down Alan key held in a ¼ inch socket. It was painful but probably not as painful as using an Alan key with no ratchet.

Best of luck, it’s character building.

Don't know what I did in the end. Combination of pulling, pushing, bending, levering and good old fashioned swearing and it popped open. Managed to destroy the cable in the process though.

Just ordered a set of bonnet pins...

Appreciate all the advice
Cheers
Matt