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Bonnet rattle?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Batavier, Sep 15, 2004.

  1. Batavier

    Batavier Member

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    Did my first oil check (should have done it earlier, I know) after taking delivery of my car. The oil was a little over the highest mark, which is odd, because I sure didn't put any oil in the engine... anyway, it's only a few millimeters over the mark so it'll be okay for now.

    The problem is: I noticed that the bonnet, when closed, could move several millimeters up and down. Even when I pushed it firmly, I was still able to move the front of the bonnet up and down a bit.

    When I checked the bonnet of my 14 year old Suzuki Swift I noticed that the bonnet of that car didn't budge at all....

    Before I go to the dealer, I'd like to know if anyone else noticed that the bonnet of their Prius is a bit 'loose' so to speak, or that it's impossible to move it if it's closed.
     
    #1 Batavier, Sep 15, 2004
  2. gwilliams

    gwilliams New Member

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    Batavier,

    Forgive me if this is stating the obvious, but did both bonnet latches close, or just the secondary? If the latter, you should be able to reopen the bonnet by just releasing the latch at the front of the car, between the bonnet and the grille opening. I've had to reopen and close the bonnet on vehicles I've owned, if I didn't let the bonnet close with enough force.

    As for your question, the bonnet on my Prius seems to be very tightly closed, so long as both the primary and secondary latches are fastened.

    FWIW,
    Glenn
     
    #2 gwilliams, Sep 15, 2004
  3. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    Batavier, I haven't gotten mine yet but I would say that it is not normal in a Prius or any other car. Most likely there is some simple adjustment in the latching mechanism.
     
    #3 bruceha_2000, Sep 15, 2004
  4. Batavier

    Batavier Member

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    Glenn, both latches are closed, so it's not that.

    Indeed, Bruce, I've phoned the dealer and they told me it's easy to adjust. I'll drive by the dealer on Saturday and they'll 'repair' it. :)

    Thanks for the replies. :)
     
    #4 Batavier, Sep 16, 2004
  5. gwilliams

    gwilliams New Member

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    Oh well, I was hoping it would be simple.

    If everything is latched, I would take it to a dealer and ask them to check the bonnet for clearances / tolerance / adjustment / etc. (Sorry, I'm not sure how to state this.)

    I would guess there is some adjustment on the primary latch, to hold the bonnet down secure. Perhaps yours is out of tolerance. It may also be that some sort of stop (again, my nomenclature may not be perfect) may be missing. By "stop" I am referring to pieces (usually some sort of rubber compound) used to minimize vibrations and to hold a piece (such as a bonnet, door, or boot) in alignment. Out of curiosity, if you close the bonnet, is it flush with the front fenders, or is it recessed perhaps. That might yield a clue about it being out of adjustment.

    I checked my car last night, and all is tight when the primary latch is secure.

    FYI,
    Glenn
     
    #5 gwilliams, Sep 16, 2004
  6. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    As you go to close the bonnet, let it drop the last foot or so. It should drop into place and latch correctly. Sometimes, this will work when trying to push it fully latched will not.
     
    #6 Bob Allen, Sep 16, 2004
  7. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    Just checked both of our Prius and about 3mm of further compression on the hood is possible. If yours is in the 12-15mm range I'd tell them when you next take the car in for service.
     
    #7 Frank Hudon, Sep 16, 2004
  8. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

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    FWIW My dealer made a big point about "slamming" the hood. Or bonnet if you prefer. He stated it was a "bit hard to lach" I am a bonnet slammer and have had no problems with the old bonnet. Now lets talk about my trunk or boot or what ever. I ate at Mega Burrito and I am having a bit of difficulty... down there. Suggestions??
     
    #8 hdrygas, Sep 16, 2004
  9. Batavier

    Batavier Member

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    A bonnet slammer... *grins*

    And indeed Bob, it's good to just let gravity do the work for you. Letting the hood drop the last foot (or rather letting the bonnet drop the last 30 cm :D ) is the way I always closed the bonnet.

    I can't move the bonnet 15 mm, but it's more than 'a few'. But then again, it's no problem and the dealer said it was just a matter of minutes to correct this. Will go and see them tomorrow.
     
    #9 Batavier, Sep 17, 2004
  10. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    Batavier,

    In the colonies, we call it a hood.

    This is a bonnet:

    [​IMG]

    :lol:
     
    #10 IsrAmeriPrius, Sep 17, 2004
  11. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(10132003\";p=\"40071)</div>
    And, to illustrate how wonderful the language is, hood:
    • So, Batavier, if that thug on the front of your car is a little loose, tighten the ropes holding him there just a bit. :)
     
    #11 bruceha_2000, Sep 17, 2004
  12. Batavier

    Batavier Member

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    Maybe I should just get rid of the 'thug' on the front of my car and replace it with one made of glass (like some Ferrari's have). :) That would be nice, although the extra weight would hurt my mileage...

    By the way, in Dutch the hood/bonnet is called "motorkap" which means engine cover. But "kap" can also mean hood (as in the picture of the little girl). :)
     
    #12 Batavier, Sep 18, 2004
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