Not only restricted to Alfas...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring...laims-Renault-ignored-bonnet-catch-fault.html
Check you bonnet latch!
- Thread starter RoboCod
- Start date
Not only restricted to Alfas...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring...laims-Renault-ignored-bonnet-catch-fault.html
i managed to do this once.
i was going to check the fluids, so i popped the bonnet
but i went back inside and forgot about it for some reason
cue driving away later on, and hearing some strange noises and noticing the bonnet was moving slightly.
only noticed it on the motorway, so i sped up(!) to get to the nearest junction quickly. must have been going 70+ for a good few minutes
luckily the only damage was some broken clips on the plastic that sits between the bonnet and the slam panel
didn't think it was worth the risk of getting hit on the hard shoulder for..
i was going to check the fluids, so i popped the bonnet
but i went back inside and forgot about it for some reason
cue driving away later on, and hearing some strange noises and noticing the bonnet was moving slightly.
only noticed it on the motorway, so i sped up(!) to get to the nearest junction quickly. must have been going 70+ for a good few minutes
luckily the only damage was some broken clips on the plastic that sits between the bonnet and the slam panel
didn't think it was worth the risk of getting hit on the hard shoulder for..
Soldato
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That car looks less than half its age!
I feel your pain mate.
A similar thing happened to me with my old 88 RS Turbo.
Despite the Turbo's reputation, i'd just spent thousands restoring it and tuning the engine.
On my way to work, pulled onto the dual carriage way and saw the opportunity to overtake. Got to 60 MPH, everything was fine and all of a sudden I had the biggest shock of my life. The bonnet had flipped up and shattered the windscreen in my face. I managed to pull over safely but the bonnet had impacted the roof so hard, it popped the sunroof completely out and buckled the pillars.
I think I started crying actually.
A similar thing happened to me with my old 88 RS Turbo.
Despite the Turbo's reputation, i'd just spent thousands restoring it and tuning the engine.
On my way to work, pulled onto the dual carriage way and saw the opportunity to overtake. Got to 60 MPH, everything was fine and all of a sudden I had the biggest shock of my life. The bonnet had flipped up and shattered the windscreen in my face. I managed to pull over safely but the bonnet had impacted the roof so hard, it popped the sunroof completely out and buckled the pillars.
I think I started crying actually.
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was a passenger in a clio and this happened when joining a motorway, the safety latch was rusted and stuck open, dunno why the main latch failed though.
Dented the bonnet, smashed the windscreen and dented the roof, claimed on insurance and went down as non fault with renault taking liability.
from then on ive always made sure the latches are lubricated and slammed the bonnet shut
Dented the bonnet, smashed the windscreen and dented the roof, claimed on insurance and went down as non fault with renault taking liability.
from then on ive always made sure the latches are lubricated and slammed the bonnet shut
Associate
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ouch. did you live up to your psn name at the same time?
Wow, that sucks for the Prelude and the lovely RS Turbo. 
As ZeeWrath says, ALWAYS give the bonnet a good solid slam and then pull afterwards just to make sure. Although a rusty, ineffective catch can still cause issue.
As ZeeWrath says, ALWAYS give the bonnet a good solid slam and then pull afterwards just to make sure. Although a rusty, ineffective catch can still cause issue.
Soldato
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- Near Winchester
Why check it, it's Italian and therefore designed properly.
The catches are 2 separate pieces, the primary catch is designed to fail safe, the secondary catch is huge and simple, the bonnet itself would fail 1st.
The catches are 2 separate pieces, the primary catch is designed to fail safe, the secondary catch is huge and simple, the bonnet itself would fail 1st.
Associate
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Front hinge win
Soldato
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- Portsmouth
Actually seeing this topic, my GF's 306 has the same issue. the Catch is very lazy and often doesn't close as it should.
Is there any particular maintenance I can do to it, or should I get a replacement?
Is there any particular maintenance I can do to it, or should I get a replacement?
Mhmm, it WAS immaculate. The previous owner professionally detailed it and now I caress her regularly with wax (ooh!)
I think I would had that beauty been mine!
Still gutted for you mate, are you going to be driving round with a different coloured bonnet now?
Yup, a green one! I got it for free though so I can't grumble at all!
I've given miine a reall good scrub up, soaked it in spring ease and wiggled the hell out of it
Similar thing happened to me before Christmas. Fortunately the safety catch was still engaged and the '5' has 2 latches holding the bonnet down.Gutting!
My 5th gen prelude failed to close last week, after I had checked the oil level before a long journey.
The thing would not fully latch. It was on the safety latch, but would not clamp down. So i had to fiddle about with it till the catch loosened up and closed up. It was just clogged up and dirty. Need to get around to cleaning it properly soon. Might do it sooner rather than later now
I pulled off the motorway and into a side road and found a B&Q at the end of it, popped in to see what they'd got to lubricate it (it was a bit stiff) and after a few drops of 3in1 oil later I was on the way.
Lesson learned for me at least.
P