Please Help!! - BMW Forum

e30bmwes · 04-20-2006, 11:26 AM

So basicaly i broke the lever to open my hood but i need to put some oil in and get an oil change so does any one know any way i can get the hood open please help i really need to get this open thanx

Starmavin · 04-20-2006, 04:58 PM

Get a long screw driver and look through your grill on the drivers side. You'll see a hole in a formed box with what looks like a flat head screw driver slot, push in and turn, it'll pop right open. P.S. Don't get near or lean your head on the hood while doing this.....

e30bmwes · 04-20-2006, 07:56 PM

hey thanx for the help i really my oil light was on so i def need some oil thanx for the tip about leaning my head to close lol

Teh Prof · 04-20-2006, 10:12 PM

Does this trick work similarly on other bimmers? I've had the cable from the hood release break both on my E39 and on my E36. PITA

Starmavin · 04-20-2006, 11:23 PM

No, this technique won't work on those cars. I'll need to refresh my memory on those cars to tell you how.

BigLion · 04-22-2006, 05:26 PM

I broke the handle off the hood release recently (actually the wife had a lot to do with it, but that's another story...) but I found in desperation that you can still open up the hood if you can exert enough torque on the remaining stub. This has led to a sore finger a couple of times while I don't have time to get down to the main dealer to pick up a new one. If you really get stuck you can unhook the glovebox to access the [ex-] handle pivot point and hood release cable. If the hood has been partially opened it is impossible to pull hard enough to open it.
I didn't know you could open the hood up from the front... that's partly why I'm here

Starmavin · 04-23-2006, 09:36 AM

I cannot emphasize more about the importance of oiling critical components such as the hood catch, hood and door hinges, door locks and locking mechanisms. Don't waste your time with white lithium grease, this stuff doesn’t penetrate, it just cakes on the surface collecting dirt making repairs a cruddy experience. Use oil, yes regular engine oil, this will soak in and provide very good protection. Oil squirt cans can still be found at parts stores and other places.

P.S. If things are really stuck you can make one of the very best home made penetrating oils. It can be made by mixing 50 kerosene and 50 transmission fluid. This mix is nearly as good as PB blaster, one of the best penetrating spray oils I know of.