Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Bonnet catch

Discuss problems you have had or are having with your Z4
Post Reply
bluepain
Member
Member
Posts: 108
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2016 4:27 pm

Bonnet catch

Post by bluepain » Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:52 am

Tried to open my bonnet this morning, it unlatched and popped up the inch or so as normal.
But I was unable to get bonnet to release via the bonnet latch under the front ..
It's there so not missing
Just wont release?.
Any thoughts welcome :x

User avatar
Sidewaze Samm
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1208
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 1:11 pm
Location: Sth. Manchester/Cheshire border

Bonnet catch

Post by Sidewaze Samm » Fri Jul 23, 2021 4:59 pm

pre-facelift car?
try squirting in some silicon spray (to the left of the catch you're trying to lift)
2008 E85 3.0si
Space Grey, Dream Red New England heated Msports.
Xenons, MFSW, cruise, PDC, wind deflector.
ZHP, stubby, gloss black grilles, DLV box, gaptech, no CDV.

User avatar
Benderloch
Member
Member
Posts: 234
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2018 6:37 pm
Location: Perthshire

Bonnet catch

Post by Benderloch » Fri Jul 23, 2021 6:21 pm

Mine was like that, however with a bit of fiddling getting my finger in there while gently pressing down on the bonnet I could move the plate and get it open. I discovered the latch was thick with grease and muck and the latch stiff. Once I cleaned it up and used some lubricant it opened easily.
E86 Silver Grey Red leather, Piano Black trim.

Zedebee
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3295
Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 10:37 pm
Location: North Hampshire

Bonnet catch

Post by Zedebee » Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:38 pm

You can access the mechanism from underneath by removing one of the grills (push up and pull out).
2003 Maldives Blue 3.0i auto
Previously: Maldives Blue 2.5i manual (its back!) and another, and a Monaco Blue 3.0Si coupe

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 23608
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

Bonnet catch

Post by Mr Tidy » Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:13 pm

As Sir Tom used to say it's not unusual!

From what you have said it's the safety catch that won't release. The few times I've had that problem with BMW's I've lifted the bonnet as far as possible and sprayed the pivot on the safety catch with WD40, left it half an hour or so and been able to release it.

Then cleaned all the detritus off it and lubed it up so it will work next time.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

User avatar
Beatman
Member
Member
Posts: 635
Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:00 pm
Location: West Country

Bonnet catch

Post by Beatman » Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:15 pm

Mine had the same issue, pop a grill and you can push over the latch with a large screwdriver :thumbsup:
My Car- 2004 3.0se sterling grey, mv3s , satnav, heated seats, ZHP.

User avatar
PAC_Z4_F31_110Puma
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:28 pm
Location: Suffolk - BSE

Bonnet catch

Post by PAC_Z4_F31_110Puma » Tue Aug 03, 2021 1:57 pm

Hi, revisiting this - went to open the bonnet today and nothing.. 2006 facelift. Pulled the leaver in the footwell and it was really loose with no tension. took out kidney grill and using the manual release also has no effect - tried wd40 around the central mechanism and 'bouncing'. I believe that the issue is the side latch on the driver's side (UK) as a couple of days ago I noticed the bonnet was a little loose so gave it a push-down and seemed to click into place. As such this catch being the one at fault is by belief - potentially seized before pushing home, and the release cable has now remained slack? Does anyone know if it is possible to access from the wheel arch? Or come across this before and has a knack.

This link should be a screenshot of the area I think is unhappy - links rather than pictures as first post and still working it out.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Mekh1L ... MhuY_j8_RQ

And seeing as everyone likes photos - here's my restoration project https://share.icloud.com/photos/0NZAvcV ... POO4zQIWYA
2006 E85 3.0Si - Restoring a previously unloved gem. Addressing all common faults one at a time..
F31 - rapidly approaching 200k miles & Defender 110. Glutton for mechanical punishment.
Regret the username... Peter

User avatar
enuff_zed
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 14383
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
Location: Attleborough, Norfolk

Bonnet catch

Post by enuff_zed » Tue Aug 03, 2021 3:10 pm

PAC_Z4_F31_110Puma wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 1:57 pm Hi, revisiting this - went to open the bonnet today and nothing.. 2006 facelift. Pulled the leaver in the footwell and it was really loose with no tension. took out kidney grill and using the manual release also has no effect - tried wd40 around the central mechanism and 'bouncing'. I believe that the issue is the side latch on the driver's side (UK) as a couple of days ago I noticed the bonnet was a little loose so gave it a push-down and seemed to click into place. As such this catch being the one at fault is by belief - potentially seized before pushing home, and the release cable has now remained slack? Does anyone know if it is possible to access from the wheel arch? Or come across this before and has a knack.

This link should be a screenshot of the area I think is unhappy - links rather than pictures as first post and still working it out.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Mekh1L ... MhuY_j8_RQ

And seeing as everyone likes photos - here's my restoration project https://share.icloud.com/photos/0NZAvcV ... POO4zQIWYA
Welcome aboard,
Probably best to do an intro on the Newbies page too.
I can't advise as I have an earlier model with a single catch in the middle.

Whereabouts in Suffolk are you though? I'm maybe not that far up the road and always willing to lend a hand if I can.
HQ of 'Norfolk Zed Rescue'.
Always happy to help if I can.

If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way! :thumbsup:
Image

User avatar
PAC_Z4_F31_110Puma
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:28 pm
Location: Suffolk - BSE

Bonnet catch

Post by PAC_Z4_F31_110Puma » Tue Aug 03, 2021 3:29 pm

Hi, thanks for the reply, I'll post in the Newbies page later on. Bit of a quirk, and hopefully an easy fix. Bury way, but not opposed to a bit of a road trip. Quickly discovering a fairly comprehensive list of little niggles and putting them right. There just seems to be too much of a coincidence in events to not be related to the driver's side latch. A decent picture of a facelift engine bay around that area would really help!
2006 E85 3.0Si - Restoring a previously unloved gem. Addressing all common faults one at a time..
F31 - rapidly approaching 200k miles & Defender 110. Glutton for mechanical punishment.
Regret the username... Peter

User avatar
PAC_Z4_F31_110Puma
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:28 pm
Location: Suffolk - BSE

Bonnet catch

Post by PAC_Z4_F31_110Puma » Tue Aug 03, 2021 3:43 pm

Solution - Go in through the panel for changing lights and remove rear light cover - gave enough access to the cable, which had come detached from the plastic housing.
InkedIMG_3462_LI.jpg
InkedIMG_3462_LI.jpg (119.46 KiB) Viewed 441 times
IMG_3464.JPEG
IMG_3464.JPEG (116.61 KiB) Viewed 441 times
IMG_3463.JPEG
IMG_3463.JPEG (84.35 KiB) Viewed 441 times
2006 E85 3.0Si - Restoring a previously unloved gem. Addressing all common faults one at a time..
F31 - rapidly approaching 200k miles & Defender 110. Glutton for mechanical punishment.
Regret the username... Peter

User avatar
Roberltd2
Member
Member
Posts: 781
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2016 11:28 pm
Location: Ponterwyd

Bonnet catch

Post by Roberltd2 » Wed Aug 04, 2021 3:34 pm

Good work! :thumbsup:
2007 E85 2.5 si Sport in Montego Blue
1994 Eunos J2Ltd - now sold
1963 Triumph Thunderbird.

bluepain
Member
Member
Posts: 108
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2016 4:27 pm

Bonnet catch

Post by bluepain » Mon Aug 23, 2021 6:14 pm

Sorted thanks all

User avatar
Zulu4
Member
Member
Posts: 836
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2021 1:22 pm
Location: Lincolnshire

Bonnet catch

Post by Zulu4 » Mon Aug 23, 2021 6:50 pm

bluepain wrote: Mon Aug 23, 2021 6:14 pm Sorted thanks all
Well done. :thumbsup:
Could you tell us how ?
That's how the forum works, so that we can all learn from each other's experiences.
2007 3.0si Auto Sport Roadster. Whippy.
Previous:
2003 3.0i SE Roadster. Whippy.

bluepain
Member
Member
Posts: 108
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2016 4:27 pm

Bonnet catch

Post by bluepain » Sat Aug 28, 2021 7:00 pm

Wd40 squirted at the affected latch .left it a day..
Popped open with no issue..
Gave latch a proper clean up and oiled the mechanism..

Post Reply