Frozen Hood Release Cable

[280EZRider]

Does anyone know of a way to gain access to the engine bay of a W123 with a closed hood and most likely a frozen cable - without having to break the plastic grill?

[Gasbeard]

This happened to me. Pull out all of your long flathead screwdrivers. You can access the release by inserting a flathead through the plastic grill at just the right angle and pushing to the side the spring loaded catch. You'll need a bright flashlight to see where the catch is and trial and error to find the right length of screw driver. It takes some patience, but I was successful.

Then immediately replace the hood latch cable and lubricate the latch before you close the hood again. Pelican has the cable, and it's not difficult to replace. Let me repeat....LUBRICATE the latch.

If you don't keep the latch in good working order, it will fail while driving, hood will fly up, wreck your windshield, snap your hood supports, and potentially cause a bad accident. Ask me how I know - the 240d I bought had this happen to the previous owner. Total mess. Took me several weekends to restore this damage.

[BWhitmore]

Lube the new cable with some good cable lube usually available at motorcycle shops. It usually dispenses as a foam.

[280EZRider]

Thanks for both replies. I already tried the screwdriver-thru-the-grill method, but ran out of time. It's good to know that this works, so today will be devoted to this patience-testing way.

[Idle]

I don't know about a 123, but 110 and 111s are easily reached by laying on your back, under the grill area, and looking up. A slight tap with a small hammer will move the latch and the hood will pop open.

Take a flashlight. It's dark up there.

[280EZRider]

Originally Posted by Idle

I don't know about a 123, but 110 and 111s are easily reached by laying on your back, under the grill area, and looking up. A slight tap with a small hammer will move the latch and the hood will pop open.

Take a flashlight. It's dark up there.

I doubt this will work on the W123 due to the valance. I found that even better than the screwdriver was a seal remover with a round handle. The handle end comes to a point, which helps to keep the tool from sliding off the cable release mechanism. The trick is to hold the plastic grille release handle out while placing the tool through the grille and behind the release handle. This gives you enough room to push directly against the cable release, albeit at an angle.

[ejboyd5]

Originally Posted by Gasbeard

Took me several weekends to restore this damage.

Why would anyone "restore" damage? "Repair," perhaps?

[Gasbeard]

Originally Posted by ejboyd5

Why would anyone "restore" damage? "Repair," perhaps?

Good thing I'm better at repairing broken hood latches than speaking English.

[Idle]

Originally Posted by 280EZRider

I doubt this will work on the W123 due to the valance. I found that even better than the screwdriver was a seal remover with a round handle. The handle end comes to a point, which helps to keep the tool from sliding off the cable release mechanism. The trick is to hold the plastic grille release handle out while placing the tool through the grille and behind the release handle. This gives you enough room to push directly against the cable release, albeit at an angle.

Thanks. That's handy to know.