Rear Latch on Engine cover issue

Flash

I had been working on engine and just placed cover back on, but did not latch it down. Wife's mother passed away and I had no time to finish work. When I did get back to it and went to latch the cover down, front one closes find. Back one will not budge. Anyone had this issue?

The Cat's Eye

Have you tried reversing the procedure by releasing the front latch and then trying to latch the back one first. ?
Also i might add check make sure the gasket is properly seated.
and grease the latch mechanisms..

Soda Popinski

penetrating spray like PB blaster or WD40.  

CapnSkip

You will need to disassemble the latch mechanism and clean/lubricate/reassemble it. Use a pair of needle nose pliers or cutters to grab and pop off the return spring then put a 10 mm wrench on the shaft bolt head and loosen it. Once it comes off, work the latch out of the cowling by twisting and pulling it out. Then you can clean off the corrosion and relube and reinstall the assembly. It appears by your description of the problem that corrosion worked its way into the pivot mechanism.

Flash

The Cat's Eye said:

Have you tried reversing the procedure by releasing the front latch and then trying to latch the back one first. ?
Also i might add check make sure the gasket is properly seated.
and grease the latch mechanisms..

Can't even close the rear latch. I have hit it with WD-40, PB Blaster with no luck.

Flash

CapnSkip said:

You will need to disassemble the latch mechanism and clean/lubricate/reassemble it. Use a pair of needle nose pliers or cutters to grab and pop off the return spring then put a 10 mm wrench on the shaft bolt head and loosen it. Once it comes off, work the latch out of the cowling by twisting and pulling it out. Then you can clean off the corrosion and relube and reinstall the assembly. It appears by your description of the problem that corrosion worked its way into the pivot mechanism.

That was my thought, bar the fact there is so little room to get that wrench into play. I did get the return spring off but the part that the spring hooks to gets int the way of the shaft bolt head so i have not been able to remove it.

CapnSkip

Try grabbing the latch with a pair of channel lock pliers and turning it to the closed position while gently hitting the handle part with your hand. Not so hard to where it may break but firmly enough to where it may start to move. If this works, then the latch should get to a position to where you can put a wrench on the bolt head.

Flash

Will give it a try.

Flash

CapnSkip said:

Try grabbing the latch with a pair of channel lock pliers and turning it to the closed position while gently hitting the handle part with your hand. Not so hard to where it may break but firmly enough to where it may start to move. If this works, then the latch should get to a position to where you can put a wrench on the bolt head.

Well had to run off to NC for a week and just got back to give this a try. Some PB Blaster and some new stuff Superzilla and I have it moving again, although still a bit stiff. Will try and get it cleaned out some but feel I am on the right track. Thanks CapnSkip

CapnSkip

That's good news! I hope you'll get it to work properly.