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Few questions for new owner.

J

JimmyK

New member
The bonnet release has snapped and at the moment I can't get the bonnet open. Did manage previously before I bought the car but now I can't seem to do it. The cable is still attached as far as I can tell. Was just wondering if there is a manual way to open the bonnet?

Also the car has central locking, but every time I lock the car and the alarm engages and the usual flash of the indicators to inform you of this, but they seem to flash for a good solid minute or two before going off. Don't know if this is the battery going in the key or what.


Thanks for the help!
 
Hi Jimmy
The bonnet can only be released by the cable or from underneath.
What bit has broken? Usually its the bit that holds the cable outer, in which case its generally possible to keep the lever attached to the cable and release the lever from its pivot so you have a T handle to pull.
Getting at it from underneath is quite awkward.

As far as the alarm is concerned, it sounds like an aftermarket one, so diagnosis is very difficult.

It's very useful to put what type of 944 you have in your signature as there can be very different answers to the same question.
 
It's an 1988 2.5 Lux. I was thinking it may be an aftermarket one. However it does lock and unlock correctly, but the key itself will not open the lock manually it seems. It's the bracket for the actual handle you pull to release the bonnet. The cable is still attached to a plastic handle however it is hanging free and pulling it doesn't seem to work. Unless I am not getting the correct leverage or angle.

Cheers.
 
Alarm - afraid I can't help much.
Locks - does the key turn but not work the catch, or won't it turn? Sometimes as its not used much they sieze up, a few attacks with wd40,over a week or so may work.
You can strip them down and get "code" them to your key.

The bonnet release should work whilst loose. The pull should be in line with the cable exit. From outside the car with the right hand should line it up. Otherwise you may need to lift the front and reach up past the tax etc.

 
So I should attempt to pull the loose cable from outside with my right hand and try to line it up with the bonnet, then give it a good yank?

Edit: That worked a treat, thanks alot!

Having a good inspection, theres a slight bit of mayo-ey coloured oil at the top of the filler tube, not a great amount, and mostly really at the top. The dipstick oil is clear and fine and how it should be. Is this instant bad news or should I just do the head gasket as a precaution anyway? For a novice mechanic how difficult a job is the head gasket going to be on a 944?


Cheers!
 
That just sounds like the result of a lack of use to me. Moisture can pentrate through the filler cap seal over time and emulsify the oil right at the top of the filler tube. A few good runs where everything gets nice and hot should evaporate the trapped moisture.

My fiesta is a bu**er for this. The filler cap seal is awful and after a few months of short trips to the shops the inside of the filler tube resembles a tin of Heinz's finest. The head gasket is as solid as a rock though!
 
Yeah I figured it was condensation as it was mostly either collecting in the lid or at the very top. This car from the looks of previous MOTs has only done 6k in the last 5 or so years. So yeah, more than likely been sat a very long time from time to time.
 
Glad you interpreted my comments correctly! Exactly what I meant.

Now grease the catch and make sure the cable run in good, no kinks etc.

Head gasket is not really a novice job but Simon says its probably not required, keep an eye on the water level, clean the oil filler cap and watch that too!


 
I'm going to do the gear box oil soon as I'm unsure when it was last done and it cant hurt. Any recommendations on which oil and where to get? Also would it be a good idea to run a shot of Redex through as its fairly cheap and wont hurt will it?
 
I use Redex injector cleaner occasionally and also the odd tank of Shell V-Power.

As for the gearbox any quality 80/90 SAE but make sure you get the filler plug out BEFORE the drain plug....
 
Jimmy the 944 engine is notorious for collecting emulsified oil at the top of the filler. It is quite normal. Just wipe it out every time you check it.
 
Yeah have given it a clean, thanks for the information! No doubt will have more to pick your brains about :)
 
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