Need some help- Karmann Ghia

execk2

My deck lid is stuck ever since the mechanic did the oil change. I tried prying with a screw driver and now have some nice nicks in the paint that will need some bodyfiller. It's stuck shut. I tried to drive around on bumpy roads with a vice-grip holding the tension on the cable. I can hear the mechanism move. What's next? Do I drill out the bolts from under the car to remove the latch? Are there bolts? %^%$##^& Last time this happened it took 5 minutes with a screwdriver. I guess I got lucky.

7/15/069:16 PM

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execk2

7/15/069:16 PM

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Former Member

This might sound dumb -- and you've probably already tried it, but have you put a small-diameter rubber hose on a can of break-free and worked it up to the hinges? Some WD-40 with an extension on the can's straw?

7/16/065:48 AM

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execk2

Yeah seems the last dufus that changed the oil pressed the hood to hard and now the plunger is either too deep or off centered in the hole. The hinge and pin were working great and are in new condition. I'm going to make an emergency pull cord on both the front and back on the Ghia and Speedster so that it won't happen again.

7/16/066:10 AM

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Former Member

I thought you meant the problem was on the hinge end of the hatch. Maybe you can put a long, narrow cheater bar on the plate the latch goes through and straighten out the sheet metal from the underside. Tap the cheater bar from below with a small hammer and ease it back into shape?
The cool thing about sheet metal is that a gentle tap will make a noticeable difference. Any chance of sticking a camera up inside there so we can have a look?

7/16/066:47 AM

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Alan MerklinDrclock - Elkins, West Virginia Supporting Member

I believe Cory is suggestion you do a "at home Karmann-oscopy" !

7/16/0610:55 AM

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Former Member

Ha ha ha ha ... Ouch.
Did sound kinda proctological, didn't it? Maybe it's just a simple Ghia-Eye problem after all!
But I still think a photo or two would yield some good suggestions without risking further damage to the car. Any chance of getting to the hinge bolts and un-hanging the hatch from the long end?

7/16/0612:17 PM

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oldyeler

Im not to familar with the ghia latch can you get to anything under the rear apron?

7/16/061:01 PM

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execk2

I have drilled out two of the bolts holding the latch and the other two would require removal of the muffler since I cannot drill on an angle. So tomorrow off to an acetelene torch to cut the other two and it should pop up. Well. it will pop up since the latch would be un bolted. I even tried to mangle the other two with my air chisel, no dice. This is good 40 year old steel. More news tomorrow.

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7/16/062:10 PM

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execk2

5 minutes with a torch and it's off. There is enough weight to actually keep this off and not fall into this problem ever again. I'll get Josee to drive it tonight on bumpy roads while I follow to check. Or maybe put a strong magnet on the deck and it may keep it down. Anyhow, drill or burn off it it opens up.