Well I wish I had a more detailed fix to offer this thread incase anyone else stumbles upon it but sadly I do not.

The shop was able to get the hood open- took about an hour and a half.

This is what they said, "Hood appears to be shifted off to the right side. Shifted hood back in line after lubing and verifying that hood release was working. Once opened found screw in latch area. Hood now opens and closes."

So, not a ton of detail. But I guess maybe some sort of bolt or screw was fouling... something. No clue what screw/bolt that would be... and they didn't give me the bolt after for inspection. So I sadly don't really know exactly what the issue was.

The shop recommended I replace the cable, might get around to that. But hood pops with ease as it did before now.

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Greg
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85' 300TD
03' Honda S2000

Wow, that is great news.... so people who have trouble doing it should not be ashamed it took a long time.. or that they did not manage to fix it....

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html