need help! Engine lid is down and wont open

plain fan · 08-23-2003, 03:18 PM

Put the engine cover back on the 78 911 today. It wasn't closing all the way so the latch on the cover was adjusted. Closed better this time but it won't open back up!
Does anyone know of a way to get the engine cover open? I know the workshop manuals show a procedure for opening a trunk by drilling in the body but I've found no such instructions for the engine cover, please help, thanks.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Do a search, there have been some very comprehensive discussions on this. I vaguely recall people reaching the latch from nderneath, maybe after removing the bumper - I'm not sure.

plain fan · 08-23-2003, 03:43 PM

Thanks John, I start searching.

project 911 · project 911's Garage

I just had the same problem on my 71. I'm not sure if the latches are the same on yours, but mine are designed to release if the cable brakes. If you unscrew your T-handle on the trunk release, and let the cable go slack (you may have to push the cable in), it may let loose. Mine was stuck on the edge of the latch. After a complete panic, I let the cable go, and just leaned into back edge of the deck and it popped. Good luck.

David · David's Garage

I had a problem with an SC where the shocks would not lift the lid enough to pop open when the latch was pulled. I had someone else pull up on the lid while I pulled the latch and that worked.

targa80 · targa80's Garage

if all you did was adjust the bar that goes into the lock then having an assistant pull on the T handle while you pull up on the engine hood should release it. I had problems with mine after an adjustment and required extra hands to open it.

plain fan · 08-23-2003, 05:43 PM

Thanks guys, I'm going to try to remove the muffler and see if I can it open that way.
My dad and I spent several hours pulling the t-handle while pullling, pushing etc.
The lid is down so tight(far) that we can only get the tips of our fingers beneath the lid. And no the center reflector isn't on the car at this time.

KevinP73 · 08-23-2003, 07:26 PM

Follow the procedure suggested by Steve B above. I've had it happen many times and the only way to get it open is to be persistant, pushing forward or lifting from one side then the other. Most likely the pin is caught off center in the latch.

stormcrow · stormcrow's Garage

Try pushing down on the lid instead of trying to pull it up. Pushing down will take some of the tension off the latch when you pull on.

Steve

"A Porsche does more then just go fast in a straight line"

targa80 · targa80's Garage

Here are four pictures of the area where the latch should be attached to the body. The only way I could see you getting to the latch would be from behind the bumper and you would have to cut some sheet metal away to get access from underneath. This would be a last resort if all else fails.

Bones · Bones's Garage

You should be able to get it open with patience and persistance. This happened to me too recently and I got it unstuck by jamming the t-bar open with a screwdriver wedged under the T-bar (with rags to protect the paint) then whilst pushing down moved it from left to right, a considerable amount actually eventually, with pulling and waggling it popped.

cicsprog · cicsprog's Garage

Happen to me to when replacing the brake light (cyclops). Misaligned decklid when reattaching and would not open. I ended up sticking a hacksaw blade and sawing through the nipple that holds the lid down when closed. Only took me three hours. Felt stupid. And coined my personal motto of "No good deed goes unpunished". This was before I was a member here and access to people who had tackled this problem before. So between the new cyclops and new $75.00 nipple - I learned my lesson on checking alignment before shutting the thing down.

Jason
88 911 Cab

plain fan · 08-24-2003, 02:45 PM

Well, the lid is now open and fixed. It required pulling the muffler, the sheet metal beneath the center reflector and drilling a hole in the sheet metal to get access to the male part of the latch system. The problem was a combination of my poor installation of the female portion and a misaligned male portion. The male portion was in, past the lock, and angled. This pulled the lid down so tight on the car that only a quarter of an inch showed to try and move.
Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions!