engine access

[sebagoman007]

I wonder if anyone else has struggled with this, and hopefully come up with a solution. The hatch over the engine in my 260DA only opens so far on the struts. (I don't think it's even 45 degrees.) I'm a pretty big guy (six-two, two hundred and too much) and it's an awkward move for me to get down there to perform any maintenance. The piano hinge is held on by a gazillion fasteners, so removing it every time isn't a very attractive option. Plus, if those are machine screws with nuts on the backside, reassembly would be an even bigger PITA.

Short of shrinking myself to a more engine-room friendly size, (not likely!), does anyone have any ideas or solutions?

Thanks!

Bill

 

[ImpulseIII]

Is there a pin that allows you to disconnect the lifting ram at the hatch? I seem to recall that if you disconnect that you may have more hatch swing.

 

[PMvdb395DA]

Dismount the hinge and gas cylinder completely for permanent.
When you want to go in, take the complete hatch out.

Only you have to make a sort of handle for taking it out.

With your body size this seems for me the best solution.

Peter

 

[Dave S]

I would think if you just disconnected the strut(s) you should then be able to lay the hatch back even further. On my 2006, when the power strut is completely disconnected the hatch will fully open and lay on the swim platform. I watched the dealer do that on a 2005 model and they were able to pull an engine without even removing the hatch. Even though your particular model 260DA is different, you may want to give this a try.