In France with nothing holding bonnet down. (6 Viewers)

[Casper46]

We are not having a good day. We are on the Tunnel in the morning. Just lifted the bonnet to find that there is nothing holding it down. The 'pin' in the bonnet itself isn't there. It looks like it should be a threaded bolt, probably with a spring on it.
There is another Brit on the site, we asked if we could look at his Merc to check what it looks like. His wife wouldn't let him help us. We have tied the bonnet down with an elastic strap. We have to catch The Shuttle as Jacques only has until tomorrow afternoon time wise for his worming. We have never left it this tight before. We thought that we could pull in at the petrol station as you exit the tunnel in UK and get Mercedes breakdown out.. I'm not sure if it's a Mercedes part or not. If not I'm not sure what happens.if it's a Carthago bit.
Himself says that with some rope he could probably rope it down, not sure what damage he will do.
It's not really broken down, but it's not safe on a motorway.
I dare not drive 250 miles with a bit of elastic holding the bonnet down.

 

[Landy Andy]

Have you got cable ties, or string with you.
If so can’t you feed this through the bonnet, and through the grill, then pull it tight.

 

[1967bowesj]

It should hold on the second safety catch unless that is missing also.
Pictures would really help us with suggestions what to do

 

[Landy Andy]

You may well find that it has become unscrewed and is under the hole in the slam panel, in front of your radiator

 

[Casper46]

Can't send pictures it's all tied up ready for the morning. It doesn't have a second catch, it's an A Class if that makes a difference.
If it wasn't for the dog we would find a Brico store and sort some rope.

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[Landy Andy]

Got washing line. Long dog lead, ??

 

[Casper46]

You may well find that it has become unscrewed and is under the hole in the slam panel, in front of your radiator

That's where we looked, it has a hidden bit that we can't get at. If we make it under the Channel
Ok we will take the bottom panel off at Folkestone and have a look.. I've been on my hands and knees searching the grass, but I can't see how it could come off when I lifted the bonnet without me noticing.
Hi ho isn't life interesting.

 

[Gina M]

I do hope you get it sorted. Sorry I can't help.

 

[Casper46]

Got washing line. Long dog lead, ??

Long dog lead is too thick, no washing line, but could buy one in Folkestone. It's dark now, so we are going out with a torch, hooping all that glitters is not gold but a bonnet catch.

 

[G7UXG]

Sounds like it’s an A class Carthago on a Mercedes chassis. Mine’s an E Line but I’d guess they’re all the same. I’ve attached a couple of photos of what should be there.

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[Tombola]

You'll be fine with it tied down certainly on the tunnel.
Get to Folkestone secure it as good as poss and just do 56 home.
Or call out the emergency services when back in the uk

 

[G7UXG]

There’s probably a scuttle under the engine (there is on mine). I dropped my phone down there once and had to fish it out from underneath. If the pin is missing from the bonnet, it may be worth looking in the scuttle to see if it’s ended up in there.

Given the angle of the bonnet, I can’t see it coming open if it’s cable tied to something.

Best of luck getting it sorted.

 

[Casper46]

Sounds like it’s an A class Carthago on a Mercedes chassis. Mine’s an E Line but I’d guess they’re all the same. I’ve attached a couple of photos of what should be there.



View attachment 888754

View attachment 888755

View attachment 888756

View attachment 888757

That's it thanks. If necessary I can show your picture to the mechanic. Do you think it's a Mercedes part?

 

[G7UXG]

That's it thanks. If necessary I can show your picture to the mechanic. Do you think it's a Mercedes part?

I’d guess it’s a Carthago part. Sadly, probably more difficult to get hold of than a Mercedes part.

 

[Casper46]

Thanks all, we are due at the Tunnel early, hope it doesn't rain as at the moment the bonnet is tied down utilising the wipers as a solid point. I'll stop panicking once we are through the dog check in.

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[Dart]

I wonder what was up with the miserable pair who wouldn't help you by letting you look under their bonnet. Still, what goes around comes around.

 

[G7UXG]

Is it just the pin with the spring that’s missing, or the whole plate? May be able to get a pin that threads into the plate if the plate is still there.

 

[Gina M]

I wonder what was up with the miserable pair who wouldn't help you by letting you look under their bonnet. Still, what goes around comes around.

It was the wife who wouldn't help, maybe she thought it was a scam or robbery attempt. I panic at stuff like that.

 

[Casper46]

Is it just the pin with the spring that’s missing, or the whole plate? May be able to get a pin that threads into the plate if the plate is still there.

Plate is still there, hopefully when we unscrew the scuttle it could be there.

 

[1967bowesj]

Something like this

Bonnet Lock Fits for Mercedes Sprinter 2006 VW Crafter 2006 Upper / O | eBay

If you are looking for a cheap way to buy high-quality spare parts and need advice with many years of know-how, you have come to the right place. We have spare parts in our range that offer value for money that you won't find anywhere else. We would also be happy to advise you personally and...

www.ebay.co.uk

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[Casper46]

It was the wife who wouldn't help, maybe she thought it was a scam or robbery attempt. I panic at stuff like that.

We are on a site at Escalles not an Aire, she said he needed his rest as he'd had a long drive. It's the only other Merc on the site.

 

[Pausim]

An A Class bonnet is probably a Carthago matter not a Mercedes one. I have a couple of picture of my Carthago A Class bonnet but it is on a Fiat not a Mercedes. It does have a secondary release but they both rely on the same bit attached to the bonnet.
Bonnet side.

Vehicle side.

Hope this is some help.

 

[Casper46]

Something like this

Bonnet Lock Fits for Mercedes Sprinter 2006 VW Crafter 2006 Upper / O | eBay

If you are looking for a cheap way to buy high-quality spare parts and need advice with many years of know-how, you have come to the right place. We have spare parts in our range that offer value for money that you won't find anywhere else. We would also be happy to advise you personally and...

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks, that looks promising.

 

[Spriddler]

Thanks all, we are due at the Tunnel early, hope it doesn't rain as at the moment the bonnet is tied down utilising the wipers as a solid point. I'll stop panicking once we are through the dog check in.

Instead of to the the wipers, can you not contrive away to secure one end of the tie-down strap at/through the bracket with the missing part that's inside the bonnet?

 

[Casper46]

An A Class bonnet is probably a Carthago matter not a Mercedes one. I have a couple of picture of my Carthago A Class bonnet but it is on a Fiat not a Mercedes. It does have a secondary release but they both rely on the same bit attached to the bonnet.
Bonnet side.
View attachment 888779
Vehicle side.
View attachment 888780
Hope this is some help.

Everything helps, if only to rule out that it's nothing like that. Still a big thank you.

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[Dart]

It was the wife who wouldn't help, maybe she thought it was a scam or robbery attempt. I panic at stuff like that.

Aye you're probably right, but on a campsite in daylight and outside the van shouldn't feel too threatening.

 

[Casper46]

Instead of to the the wipers, can you not secure one end of the tie-down strap at/through the bracket with the missing part inside the bonnet?

That's tomorrows plan, thanks

 

[Gina M]

Aye you're probably right, but on a campsite in daylight and outside the van shouldn't feel too threatening.

Sorry, but I would still feel it was a scam. I watch too many don't get scammed shows

 

[Gina M]

Good luck Casper46 let us know how you get on tomorrow

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

That's tomorrows plan, thanks

Get over to the Canterbury aire and you can sort it out from there. A bus to town if you need any bits and pieces. Hopefully there is another van on there you can look at.

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