Front engine cover keeps popping open

Newf026 · 09-30-2020, 11:46 AM

We have a gas 2020 Class A Miramar. We've put about 12K miles on it with no issues. But on our last trip which took us over some very bumpy roads the entire engine cover popped loose and sprang up.

I stopped and reset it but it happened 3 more times on less bumpy roads. It's got a bungy cord on it now. I am planning to take it to the dealer but just wondering if there is a simple fix for it.

Thanks

Bob Denman · 09-30-2020, 12:18 PM

Thuis us easy: your RV is haunted, and Halloween is coming soon...

Seriously: look for anything that might be getting down into the area where that cover has to sit. It could be a easy as a folded over loose piece of insulation,
Good luck!

**16ACE27** · 09-30-2020, 12:51 PM

Well, the "simple fix" would be to figure out why the two locking hasps are not engaging properly to prevent the hood from opening. Is the hood fully closed when you turn the hasps? Is the hood properly aligned? Are the hinges bent?

It's a pretty simple system but my crystal ball is fuzzy from this end.

Newf026 · 09-30-2020, 02:12 PM

It is a very simple system. Just two pieces of angled metal that when you turn with the "key" are supposed to move forward and rotate into the slot within the frame.

And when I do that it sure feels like its good and tight. But after hitting bumpy areas the latches give way and come right out of the slots as if I never had engaged them.

There appears to be a way of adjusting the latches but I haven't tried that yet. I was wondering if anyone had done it.

Bob Denman · 09-30-2020, 02:38 PM

It sounds as if it's not getting fully seated, and the latches aren't fully engaging...

Newf026 · 09-30-2020, 03:20 PM

I was going to start looking at how the mechanism was latching into the frame like you suggest but I just got an appointment at the dealer to have it "adjusted". It sounded like they do this often.

Thanks

koddi@columbus.rr.com · 09-30-2020, 07:28 PM

I had the same issue on my 2020 Axis. The metal pieces didn’t quite fit to hold it when locked. The first time I took it to Camping World and they just closed it but several trips later it popped open again. I finally took it back to the dealer and they say they fixed the metal latch but I haven’t been on any long trips to verify.

Newf026 · 10-01-2020, 11:16 AM

From what I also see these latches are fastened to the cover which is fiberglass and therefore inherently has some flex to it. I think that this allows the metal latches to bow in and out of the slots when a bump occurs. Not a great engineering design.

But I'll see what the dealer does and how it works.

Thanks!

Rocky-in-AR · 10-01-2020, 11:27 AM

I had the same problem with my Miramar. It is just an adjustment on the latches. They need to be tightened. There is a nut under the latch and one above it. Loosen the one under a turn or two then tighten the one above and test. Keep adjusting both sides until you get a snug fit. You should be able to pull on the hood and pull from left to right without it poping up.

JamieGeek · 10-01-2020, 11:29 AM

On our Axis the latches got turned just a little so that the "finger" wouldn't have a great hold on the metal plate. A small adjustment and we were good to go.

Another thing I found: Our front "hood" (for lack of a better term) would rattle and eat away at the gelcoat. I put some weather stripping on the coach side to stop the rattle and hold the "hood" in place more. Now closing the "hood" involves pushing it into the coach before turning the latches. It hasn't popped out, or made any noise since.

Newf026 · 10-02-2020, 09:02 AM

Thankyou for the help!

I was hesitant to start making those adjustments so its good to hear that is the answer. I'll let the dealer do it this time but be ready to make further adjustments if they don't get it right.

Dilley Dilley · 10-08-2020, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newf026

We have a gas 2020 Class A Miramar. We've put about 12K miles on it with no issues. But on our last trip which took us over some very bumpy roads the entire engine cover popped loose and sprang up.

I stopped and reset it but it happened 3 more times on less bumpy roads. It's got a bungy cord on it now. I am planning to take it to the dealer but just wondering if there is a simple fix for it.

Thanks

So we have a 2017 Miramar that I had the same problem with. I tried to see if the Company that makes those twist latches has a longer prong that can be attached and they didn’t. What I did to remedy the problem is I went to Home Cheapo and bought some black weatherstripping and attached it all the way around where the engine cover fits against the opening inside. That made the difference because now the engine cover fits snugly against it and that keeps it from shifting. You’ll probably also notice that the cover is kind of flexed or bowed out towards the middle so that adds to the ability for it to wiggle out. For insurance I got a small adjustable nylon web strap with the plastic clasps on the end. You can wrap that around the bottom of the radiator support anthem around the metal stiffener rod behind the grill to make sure it stays shut.

Bill Johnson · 10-08-2020, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newf026

We have a gas 2020 Class A Miramar. We've put about 12K miles on it with no issues. But on our last trip which took us over some very bumpy roads the entire engine cover popped loose and sprang up.

I stopped and reset it but it happened 3 more times on less bumpy roads. It's got a bungy cord on it now. I am planning to take it to the dealer but just wondering if there is a simple fix for it.

Thanks

You have the same cover that I have and it can't open if it's latched right. Have you turned the key all the way to the right. You can see the lever go into the hole. I wanted to check the oil so I took the grill out and lifted the hood up. I found the 5 studs holding the grill were not even hand tight. I installed lock nuts so it it can't come lose again.

kwilliams · 10-08-2020, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newf026

It is a very simple system. Just two pieces of angled metal that when you turn with the "key" are supposed to move forward and rotate into the slot within the frame.

And when I do that it sure feels like its good and tight. But after hitting bumpy areas the latches give way and come right out of the slots as if I never had engaged them.

There appears to be a way of adjusting the latches but I haven't tried that yet. I was wondering if anyone had done it.

Your response is correct. We are also owners of a Miramar, and encountered the identical issue. If examined, the latch not only must match with the slot, but turning also is tightened to ensure engaged.

Most likely one of the two latches works fine when the key is used to turn. When I realized that both locking latches on the hood turned opposite of each other, I never encountered the issue again. That was three years ago!

Ken

Newf026 · 10-09-2020, 11:44 AM

Had the fix done at the dealer this past Monday so we'll see how well the "pros" do with it. But thanks for all of the input.

I usually like fixing most RV things myself but wasn't sure that I wanted to play with this adjustment if others had not seen the issue. But if the dealer fix doesn't stop it I'll start using everyone's suggestions and do it myself.

Thanks all!

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