Engine compartment cover

[bob/cathy]

if you ever have owned a FORD you probly have a spair bunge coard and some duct tape on the shelf.

[riversidesmart]

"Showing the carpet hook in the upper right corner and the second picture showing the engine cover Zeus fastener."

Thanks for the pictures. This is the fastener shown I have seen on cars in the showroom. For some reason my engine cover fastener is different, slotted, without the folding plastic handle. The plastic is replaced by a semicircle of heavy wire, not pleasant to apply torque with fingers. Guess I will simply keep a screwdriver in car, or try a coin in the slot.

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by riversidesmart

"Showing the carpet hook in the upper right corner and the second picture showing the engine cover Zeus fastener."

Thanks for the pictures. This is the fastener shown I have seen on cars in the showroom. For some reason my engine cover fastener is different, slotted, without the folding plastic handle. The plastic is replaced by a semicircle of heavy wire, not pleasant to apply torque with fingers. Guess I will simply keep a screwdriver in car, or try a coin in the slot.

That someone ahead of you has broken off the plastic, user friendly twist head of the fastener and replaced it with something they fashioned up to replace it. It should not take that much force to cog the fastener into locked position anyway.
I'd ask the dealer if he can provide you with a new one. A fixed head fastener like Fish is suggesting would work OK too .

[twistwrench]

I had a problem with my lid pin. I went to check the oil, and it was so hard to turn, I thought it was going to break off! Then, went I went to fasten it back down, I could not get the little bugger to latch fully. I had to get a pair of pliers just to fasten it. I had it to the dealership Wednesday, and the tech stated it was fine-they are supposed to be tight. Well, I went to check the oil today, and guess what? The lid was completely loose, and the U-clip was broken! I can take the pin, and spin it round and round. I'm glad I drove 100 miles to the dealer to have it looked at!

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by twistwrench

I had a problem with my lid pin. I went to check the oil, and it was so hard to turn, I thought it was going to break off! Then, went I went to fasten it back down, I could not get the little bugger to latch fully. I had to get a pair of pliers just to fasten it. I had it to the dealership Wednesday, and the tech stated it was fine-they are supposed to be tight. Well, I went to check the oil today, and guess what? The lid was completely loose, and the U-clip was broken! I can take the pin, and spin it round and round. I'm glad I drove 100 miles to the dealer to have it looked at!

Sounds like the tech overtightened the Dzeus and stripped the lock dogs out of the socket. I found whenever that fastener works hard is when the cover is not correctly lined up with things. Bumping it forward with the palm of my hand usually does the trick in seating it fully forward before attempting to engage the fastener. Make sure to mention to the dealer that his guy screwed up your latch and that they should replace it.

John

[The Silver Pellet]

I too had a lot of trouble with the engine cover, until I checked to see if it was pushed fully into the slots towards the front. (It wasn't.)

When you lift the cover up, it pulls towards you to a degree. If you then just lower it, and try to fasten it, it will be a total pain.

When you go to put it back, first make sure that the tabs on the "front" of the cover (the part closest to the front of the car) are fully engaged in the slots in the body. Then lower it, and the screw should go in.

Assuming the plastic dog ear hasn't been broken off by someone previously.

If the plastic dog ear has been broken off before you got the car, then get your dealer to straighten it out ... it should have come to you in one piece.

[GPfeffermann]

I find that the screw will not fasten even when using maximum force with my fingers on the D-shaped black plastic tab on top of the screw. I have pushed the cover forward as recommended, and the screw goes in perfectly fine. The problem is fastening it. I hesitate to use pliers, since I don't wish to break the plastic part off the screw.

Any advice ?

Thanks,

Guy

[stevenvillatoro]

I posted a comment (and resolution) to the issue of the tight lockdown on the engine compartment lid. I got my smart on Day 1, January 18th, and there was NO known information about this issue at that time. It took me an extra 45 minutes to get out of the dealership that night because the lid couldn't be secured... the leading edge was properly in place, and the screw would turn, but it wouldn't stay in place and kept popping open. The 'tightness' of this screw seems to vary from smart to smart... no other cars on the lot had this difficulty but mine. The solution requires nothing more than a heavy hand at the spot where you tighten the screw. Simply PRESS FIRMLY on the lid surrounding the screw, which will allow it to engage properly. No adjustment necessary.

[SMARTIEPANTS]

a little grease on the pin helps a lot

[24-42]

Originally Posted by SMARTIEPANTS

a little grease on the pin helps a lot

A little 'Door Ease' on the tabs at the front (opposite the Duez pin) helps the lid back into place.

A little 'Armor all' on the rubber on the bottomside helps also.


Donald LaFavor