Rusted Hood Latch

thegirlintheattic

I'm seriously fed up with my car. Went to open the hood today to top up washer water and it took more force than normal to open it. It also took a bit of force for it to latch.

The latch mechanism seems to have corroded very quick since it was last in the garage less than a month ago.

I take it that I need to wire brush the rust off then apply a lubricant? Any ideas on best lubricant?

AlexisV

Just lithium grease should do.

thegirlintheattic

Thanks. Will get some from Halford's tomorrow.

Is that without brushing the rust off?

Strider590

Use WD40, it'll wash the rust away (because it's a solvent based lubricant), might want to wrap a towel around the area to prevent over spray.

Then pop some grease on afterwards...... Else the WD40 will dry off and leave you at square one within a few months.

Notmyrealname

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

I'm seriously fed up with my car. Went to open the hood today to top up washer water and it took more force than normal to open it. It also took a bit of force for it to latch.

The latch mechanism seems to have corroded very quick since it was last in the garage less than a month ago.

I take it that I need to wire brush the rust off then apply a lubricant? Any ideas on best lubricant?

So how well serviced is this vehicle? Is it serviced properly or just a basic service at MOT time assuming it has one?

I've had 25 year old cars which have not had this problem but I've seen it plenty on cars not looked after.

thegirlintheattic

I've had it for two years, it has been well looked after by me and has been serviced every year when the indicator has said it is due. It's service is a proper one done by my local garage, not done same time as MOT. It has flown past it's MOTs and is mainly got new parts in now, have also changed timing belt.

Previously mistreated by past owner.

Thanks to those who have answered. Picked up some WD-40 tonight and got some lithium grease as well.

paulsad

Isn't a hood an American gangster ?

thegirlintheattic

lol sorry, grown up with american terms for things.

Think what must have happened was over time the protective coating has come off, just after she had her starter motor changed I pressure washed her and recokon some water has got to the latch because a month ago there was no rust that I remember seeing.

s_b

if i had serviced it i would have greased the hood catch as a curtesy
and the door ingers:D

s_b

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

lol sorry, grown up with american terms for things.

Think what must have happened was over time the protective coating has come off, just after she had her starter motor changed I pressure washed her and recokon some water has got to the latch because a month ago there was no rust that I remember seeing.

oh dear
unless its an old car pre injection a power wash and someone who doesnt know how to use it is a recipe for disaster
think growing green in all electrical connectors causing high resistances and all sorts of maladies

thegirlintheattic

None of the connectors I can see are corroded, just the latch.

Don't know if the latch is done during the service - all I know is that he follows the Peugeot guide for what needs to be done and has a good reputation in the village.

She's 10 years old with 100k on the clock. She is a diseal injection though.

As the only car was in about 60 miles is a hand jet wash - it's the only option that doesn't involve a big sponge (which last time took over an hour and still didn't get the grime off especially the wheels). How are you meant to use them safely? I've just been starting at the top and working downwards.