[Taleof2Bricks2]

My ('82 244) hood release (inside the car) has always been a bit 'sticky', but it has taken a turn for the worse.

I need to pull extra hard for it to release the hood, and still, it sticks in the "pulled out" position. I must manually push the release lever back in, to disengage it and be able to close the hood.

I can see where this plastic lever seems to enter a "tube-of-sorts" as it enters the firewall, but I don't know if there is anything I can do to fix the problem. I tried spraying some WD40 into the opening, with possibly some results, but the problem persists.

My fear is that I will some day pull that lever too hard and break it, rendering the hood locked shut.

Any help would be appreciated, GREATLY.

 

[John2x240]

Re: Hood release (Taleof2Bricks2)

I've had that happen on a few cars with a cable hood release. The first thing is to remove the grille and make sure the locking mechanism is properly greased and works freely. If that's OK your probably gonna have to remove the cable and make sure all of the sheath is in good condition and there's no kinks, then get some oil and try to work it into the sheath from both ends. You may want first, though, to get some good penetrating oil into it in case there's some rust in there that needs to be freed up, and then work in some heavier oil. White grease or graphite paste will work too, but it takes longer to work it all the way down the sheath. All this is a bit of a pain, but it works if the cable is in reasonably good condition otherwise.

 

[Taleof2Bricks2]

Re: Hood release (John2x240)

Thank you. I was afraid of there being rust or something else in there. I guess I'll start as suggested, removing the grille, and go from there.

My 'real' problem with this 240, is the 'design' of the release handle. It has an odd shape to it, where other cars I have owned, including some newer Volvos, have a metal lever, with the cable easily accessible (and in plain sight!).

From what I can see, I can't get to the cable from the inside of the car, as it disappears into that 'tube-of-sorts', and into the firewall!

 

[RearWheelPaul]

Re: Hood release (Taleof2Bricks2)

The problem is unlikely to be in the passenger compartment. It is, as John pointed out, probably at the hood release mechanism or portion of the cable in the engine bay.

You'll need to take off the hood release mechanism (3 x ~10 mm bolts) and soak it in WD 40, clean it with a toothbrush, then lube it with white lithium spray.

Then inspect the cable as per John's post.

There's nothing the matter with the design of the hood release handle. The fact that they work after 15-20 years is a reflection of a simple and robust design.

 

[Taleof2Bricks2]

Re: Hood release (RearWheelPaul)

OK - thank you very much.

It does make sense that time and the elements are more likely to affect things outside, rather than inside the cabin. I'll follow all suggestions & look forward to resolving this soon!

Thanks again!

 

[volvoyankee]

Re: Hood release (Taleof2Bricks2)

my 93 245 with the orange gun type handle broke.where the cable attaches to the gun handle.It took much effort to get the hood up(forgot how I even did it).Then I rigged a metal handle attached with some bailing wire wrapped around the hood release so it hangs out the front of the grille.It's not pretty but it work's.The gun handle type cable release cost's 50.00 buck's so I didn't buy one

You might want to do what I did just in case your's breaks before you do all the maintainence everybody suggests,then you don't have to worry about not getting it open.

 

[Taleof2Bricks2]

Re: Hood release (volvoyankee)

Thanks for the additional tip.

I was going to tackle this project on Sunday, but I broke one of the plastic pins holding the grille, as I tried to remove it, and the other one is likely just as brittle.

I am ordering them from IPD and will take care of this when they arrive, so I don't have to drive around without a grille. I drive this car only 2 days per week, so I guess this week, I will keep it parked!