Just had a thought, when working on zeds the bonnet angle can be a pain when working at the back of the engine, now for many, many years I have moved the bonnet back past the small little stops which leaves the bonnet leading away from the engine bay and gives a huge amount of extra access and light.

 

What does surprise me is how many customers are amazed when they see them like that and so about time I made it public!! now lots of you may already know of course but hopefully helpful to those that do not.

 

So lift the bonnet till it stops, unplug the water washer pipe, now rock the bonnet against the stops back and forward a few times and it will go past the stops towards the windscreen, the bonnet should now stay in place giving lots of access as you can see in the picture below.

 

Jeff TT

 

Edited November 24, 201312 yr by JeffTT

I did that with mine and it does make it a lot better. On thing I will add though, don't do it when it's windy. I managed to crack the windscreen on my breaker when a gust caught the bonnet and blew it back into the screen..

Well I never!! What does it stop against?

Thats a new one on me :yes:

When you pass the stops there is an small amount of resistance in the hinge, this also holds the bonnet, having said that I have come across some bonnet hinges that are very loose when in that position so best to place a cushion or similar on the windcreen in that case, but in general they will hold fine, but not in windy conditions!

 

See pic below when doing rocker cover gaskets / plenum removal how much more room there is.

 

Jeff

 

Edited November 24, 201312 yr by JeffTT

Just a thought, but what happens to the plastic hinge covers when you do this ?

Just a thought, but what happens to the plastic hinge covers when you do this ?

 

nothing.

 

Some more bonnet access pics...

 

 

Edited November 24, 201312 yr by JeffTT

Great tip Jeff, I shall take advantage of this when I remove the engine over Christmas, was thinking I was going to have to remove the bonnet.

 

Cheers