Help getting into bonnet of a Xantia...

[wurlycorner]

Hi all,

Need some help getting under the skin of my latest Activa acquisition... Basically the bonnet won't open.

The cable and handle etc are all intact, but it's been laid up for years and after pulling as hard as I dare, the latches aren't releasing. Clearly there is no point in pulling so hard that I break the handle, but I do need to get under the bonnet for obvious reasons before I can get the car home.

I suspect that the latches are seized shut with rust or such-like, because of not being used for so many years and damp etc. so need some proper firm direct manipulation!

Haven't been over to the barn yet to experiment with my two other Xantia's, but from memory there's no way of removing the grille assembly without having the bonnet open first and you can't access the latches without either opening the bonnet or having the grille removed...

Anyone have any suggestions please?

nb: in case people are concerned posting up in public how to break into the bonnet, please feel free to DM me!

Cheers

[white exec]

PM'd you, Iain.

[wurlycorner]

Thanks Chris - will give that one a look.

If anyone else has any thoughts/experience, please feel free to keep them coming

[GiveMeABreak]

Sorry Iain, couldn't resist

[GiveMeABreak]

So I'm assuming you can't get it to the first stage release - what about trying to pull the bonnet release wire using a pair of grips; can you get to the wire itself without pulling on the plastic handle. You may then be able to give it a little more welly and free it.

[wurlycorner]

JOD.PNG

Sorry Iain, couldn't resist

I'm gonna try my hardest to avoid that solution...

[wurlycorner]

So I'm assuming you can't get it to the first stage release - what about trying to pull the bonnet release wire using a pair of grips; can you get to the wire itself without pulling on the plastic handle. You may then be able to give it a little more welly and free it.

Xantia Bonnet.PNG

Yep, it doesn't shift onto the safety latch.

I'm not just worried about the pull cord end, I'm also worried about the joint between 12 and 14 giving way

[Hell Razor5543]

Well, if Marcs' idea doesn't work you could always try one of these. It is rated for 5 tonnes.

[xantia_v6]

I just had a look at my S1 Xantia, and my advice would be to sacrifice the LH headlamp. Smash the glass then cut away the high beam reflector and then cut away the part of the back shell nearest the bonnet catch, that should give you direct access to the release lever on the LH catch.

Alternatively you could sacrifice the grille (cut along the top edge), but you still have the fan shroud largely obstructing access to the latches.

[white exec]

Also (and less drastic than taking a speed hump at 80mph, and thus asking the strut tops to open the bonnet), try leaning down on the front edge of the bonnet, directly above the catches, while the release handle is pulled. This will take some strain/friction off the latches.

[wurlycorner]

try leaning down on the front edge of the bonnet, directly above the catches, while the release handle is pulled. This will take some strain/friction off the latches.

Yep, thanks - this is a great idea. Sadly I had already tried that that first time and no joy

[GiveMeABreak]

Is there any way you can remove the undershield (if there is any) and get at the wire from below? Somehow using a narrow pole with a hook on to try and lift the cable from below?

[MikeT]

This is more likely to frustrate as I can't recall how exactly but I'm pretty sure I got hold of the release cable (xantia MK2) with a pair of long-nosed pliers either through the grill or under the bumper while looking through the grill and pulling it down hard (really needs to be pulled sideways but there was no space)

[xantia_v6]

There is no access from below, as the latches are in front of the radiator and intercooler. Maybe you can see them with the front bumper removed, but the fan shroud and headlamp would be in the way. Access from below on the left is obscured by the battery tray.

[white exec]

If someone can take a look at their Xantia with the bonnet open, it should be possible to tell for sure whether the transverse link rod can be moved by access through the grille. On XM, it is: grab or push.