Louvre Latch

[pezzonovante88]

My louvre latch doesn't completely latch securely - I can open it without having to pull the release inside the car. It can't be that its supposed to be like that, can it?

[sdg3205]

My louvre latch doesn't completely latch securely - I can open it without having to pull the release inside the car. It can't be that its supposed to be like that, can it?

No,

Check your spring. Toby noticed on mine the spring wasn't installed properly. The latch should be tight in its place.

If it is tight. but doesnt latch there are about 100 different adjustments to make such as the hight of the catch on the engine cover to the placement of the rear fascia.

Not a hard thing to adjust, just potentially time intensive and trial and error from what I've found.

[mluder]

That's the way mine is - Louvre opens by itself manually and then the hood release inside the car pops the lower engine cover.

[Stainless]

That's the way mine is - Louvre opens by itself manually and then the hood release inside the car pops the lower engine cover.

X2. I open the louvre manually and then the hood release in the car to open the lower engine cover.

[jawn101]

X2. I open the louvre manually and then the hood release in the car to open the lower engine cover.

+1, same thing here

[pezzonovante88]

+1, same thing here

Don't you worry about the louvres getting damaged when going over big bumps?

[jawn101]

Don't you worry about the louvres getting damaged when going over big bumps?

No, they don't move. It still latches to the lower cover, but releasing the upper cover isn't contingent upon releasing the cable for the lower cover from inside.

Also, what kind of bumps are you taking and how fast?? :) I know the stock ride height looks like a Jeep's but.... ;)

[pezzonovante88]

No, they don't move. It still latches to the lower cover, but releasing the upper cover isn't contingent upon releasing the cable for the lower cover from inside.

Also, what kind of bumps are you taking and how fast?? :) I know the stock ride height looks like a Jeep's but.... ;)

I'm just worried that since my louver can open without pulling the little tab/latch underneath it, that it will bounce up over bumps and crack the fiberglass.

[Cory W]

A lot of us have louvers aligned like that. Not the end of the world.

If you REALLY want to fix it, you can readjust, but it's a lot like adjusting a hood on a "conventional" car: Tedious.

-Disconnect gas struts
-Loosen the two nuts per side on the hinge
-Slide louvers slightly forward, making sure you aren't raising or lowering the louver too much
-Tighten and test lift to make sure you're not rubbing or hitting the T panel
-If satisfied, reattach struts. If not, repeat last two steps.

It's possible you can also move the lower "u" hook **a little**, but that can also affect your lower latch alignment, so keep it to a minimum.

[pezzonovante88]

A lot of us have louvers aligned like that. Not the end of the world.

If you REALLY want to fix it, you can readjust, but it's a lot like adjusting a hood on a "conventional" car: Tedious.

-Disconnect gas struts
-Loosen the two nuts per side on the hinge
-Slide louvers slightly forward, making sure you aren't raising or lowering the louver too much
-Tighten and test lift to make sure you're not rubbing or hitting the T panel
-If satisfied, reattach struts. If not, repeat last two steps.

It's possible you can also move the lower "u" hook **a little**, but that can also affect your lower latch alignment, so keep it to a minimum.

I moved the "u" hook all the way back and bent it slightly back, as well. It helped a bit, but still isn't fully latched. Anyway, at some point I'll probably adjust the louvres as you mentioned.
My passenger door is far more important at this point. Still going to the parade Cory?

[outatym2001]

Just to make one thing clear we are talking about part number 106080 on page 8/4/2 of the Parts Manual right? Part 106080 is the Louver Latch.
I had my DeLorean for over seven years before I figured out how to fix the same problem you are having.
Your Louvers are too far towards the rear end. The Louvers need to be closer to the roof panel.
How big is the gap between the stainless steel roof panel and the black Louvers on your DeLorean?
My gap is perfect at 7mm to 8mm.

[pezzonovante88]

Just to make one thing clear we are talking about part number 106080 on page 8/4/2 of the Parts Manual right? Part 106080 is the Louver Latch.
I had my DeLorean for over seven years before I figured out how to fix the same problem you are having.
Your Louvers are too far towards the rear end. The Louvers need to be closer to the roof panel.
How big is the gap between the stainless steel roof panel and the black Louvers on your DeLorean?
My gap is perfect at 7mm to 8mm.

I'm not exactly sure. I don't have the car here at the moment. But, its probably true that the louvres are too far back, so I'll have to do what Cory said and adjust the position.

[outatym2001]

Yeah, that is the trick to making them fit correctly. I used a Dremel tool with a carbide cutter attached and increased the horizontal hole length of the four bolt holes in the black Louvers. This allowed the Louvers to be much closer to the ss roof panel but with out hitting the roof panel.

[mluder]

I would first look at adjusting the loop that the latch catches first. It can adjust up and down and front to back. Start here before you start adjusting the placement of the louver on the hinges - I'm not saying it's not where the problem ultimately lies but start with the easy stuff before you whip out a Dremel and start boring holes.

Anyway - that loop that the louver catch grabs is independent of the lower latch that holds the lower cover down. That being said - the problem could lie there as well. Does the lower cover close flush to the rear fascia, below it, or high on it? I set mine to be flush - I'm not sure if that's correct but I guessed that's what it should look like. You adjust closing height by adjusting the length of the hook on the underside of the lower cover and the two feet on the outside corners. From here you can turn your attention to the upper louvers.

The upper should catch firmly and not open without releasing the lever. The louver should rest on the rubber strips attached along the sides of the upper part of the quarter panel around the louver opening. That should help to keep the louver from bouncing and should not move freely.

I'm not sure if I'm making this clear. I could provide pictures if it's not.

[congerz83]

I could provide pictures...

Please do. I have the same issue..

[er1c]

Sorry for Thread resurrection does anyone have a method of Louvre release (the lower engine bay one), Happily refitted today clunk clink (with my new latch pin) then went to pull the release.... nothing..

[82DMC12]

Sorry for Thread resurrection does anyone have a method of Louvre release (the lower engine bay one), Happily refitted today clunk clink (with my new latch pin) then went to pull the release.... nothing..

You should be able to remove the driver side tail light and get to the mechanism that way.

[er1c]

You should be able to remove the driver side tail light and get to the mechanism that way.

Star, thank you, thats an easy enough one...... I was worried it was going to be a nightmare..I popped off then numberplate fitting hoping for a little hole but alas no....

[82DMC12]

Star, thank you, thats an easy enough one...... I was worried it was going to be a nightmare..I popped off then numberplate fitting hoping for a little hole but alas no....

The one that's a nightmare is the trunk. Make sure you have a backup cable installed ASAP if you don't already have one.

[Victor]

Totally worth it, the backup cable! Get a (stainless, why not) bicycle brake cable at a your local bicycle shop.

[JBaker4981]

Totally worth it, the backup cable! Get a (stainless, why not) bicycle brake cable at a your local bicycle shop.

This is the way...

[JETS 81 DMC]

Another option for a safety back up cable is "Stainless Fishing Wire Steel Leaders Line".

They come in various pound strengths and lengths. I have used these with a 55 pound strength.

They also have eyelets on each end that lets lets you loop it at the latch end. Also the fishing leader line diameter is very small and less obvious.
:cheers:

[82DMC12]

Another option for a safety back up cable is "Stainless Fishing Wire Steel Leaders Line".

They come in various pound strengths and lengths. I have used these with a 55 pound strength.

They also have eyelets on each end that lets lets you loop it at the latch end. Also the fishing leader line diameter is very small and less obvious.
:cheers:

Nice find, that would work great also. I used a brake cable and made a pull loop on the end of it, with vacuum hose for the grip (won't cut your hand) and secured with two crushable aluminum tandem sleeves. Then that is looped up and velcro-ed under the dash so it's not by my feet.

[Michael]

I'm totally trashed when I made this and uploaded it but hopefully it will convey my vast wisdom on the subject...in other words...I am drunk and used the term "in other words" way too much...but my advice is sound.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-PbnqnoUIE