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Topic: Engine cover latch (Read 925 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine cover latch

Just noticed the latch that locked the engine door in place has broken loose , the rivets have broken through the fiberglass mount , there is nothing behind the thin fiberglass to fix
To, anybody solved this problem
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #1 –
This may be better photo
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #2 –
Ouch, Looks like you will have to remove the present latch and rebuild the Fiberglas on the panel, I would consider glassing in a back up of a piece of aluminum and then screw the bracket into the metal.  It looks like FT glassed in some kind of reinforcement that the rivets went into.  On my Engine hatch they had glassed in a piece of what looks like fiberboard of some kind and when the fence jumped into me we had to glass it over to act as the stiffener for the hatch.
Gary B

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #3 –
Gary
I think like yours there was something under the glass mat , I am considering glueing ??? A piece of plywood then glassing over it .
Again any ideas on bonding agent wood to mat and resin / mat I would be most grateful
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #4 –
The body shop that repaired my hatch cleaned off the surface as best they could, applied a coat of resin and then added glass mat in what looks like two layers, this was over the fibreboard that FT used as reinforcement.
Gary B

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Jimmyjnr –
Gary
I think like yours there was something under the glass mat , I am considering glueing ??? A piece of plywood then glassing over it .
Again any ideas on bonding agent wood to mat and resin / mat I would be most grateful
A two part epoxy used with glass cloth would be better than std polyester resin. search the forum, others have done these types of repairs.
Good luck,
Rick
Rick

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #6 –
           This past April on I-81 had a trucker get my attention with his Hadleys and he was pointing back. Stomach instantly knots up but when I pulled off the next exit I found the engine hatch was open and the curbside latch was hanging by the cable.

              Got out my trusty cordless and some fine thread self tapping screws and secured it back in place by putting the screws just inboard of the existing ones. Added a couple to the other latch as well. They grabbed very well and are holding nicely.

            I think it was the fasteners (mine had screws) that failed. I am keeping an eye on it in case I have to replace the substrate like you are looking to do.

                Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #7 –
Cut away the glass mat and found the plywood was completely rotten , it looks like water had been leaking in through the ladder fixing screws. I have cut a piece of 3/4" plywood and plan to install tomorrow
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #8 –
We used some fatter screws and JBWeld. Did the job 2 years ago and holding well.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #9 –
Took Kent's advice and bought a glass fiber kit , eventually got everything back together . Learned the lesson and sealed around the ladder fixing screws when I reassembled .
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Jimmyjnr –
sealed around the ladder fixing screws when I reassembled .

Jimmy,

Since yours is also an '03 and you're working around the ladder, check the plastic ladder ends for cracking.  Brett Wolfe pointed this out on ours last year  Rear ladder plastic ends (was What did you do to your coach today)

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #11 –
Thanks Michelle , I keep hoping the "to do" list will get shorter but it never does
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Jimmyjnr –
I keep hoping the "to do" list will get shorter but it never does
You can say that loud. It never does ??? ::) :-(
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Engine cover latch

Reply #13 –
I decided to oil the woodwork whilst I was waiting for the glass fiber to cure , it's only now I realize how much wood there is to treat .
The list extends again !
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620