PSA: Spray grease is not always the answer

[validius]

Broke my hood release yesterday. The culprit ended up being the hood latch which had been sprayed so much with grease that the attracted dirt had caused the sear to almost completely seize.

[razo-s.supra]

Nasty, wonder if dry carbon lube would be a better alternative?

[rcsoundn1]

I clean these from time to time then re-grease them to try and avoid this.

[TobyB]

yeah, funny how sometimes grease isn't the right answer.

I like chainsaw bar oil for things like that now. But it also
attracts dust and gunge...

t

[and_e30]

Yep, spray grease really isn't of much use. I use contact grease on most applications instead.

[rcsoundn1]

I have used 10w-30 in a pinch on these before.

[mjimport]

I'm having this problem now, I feel like I'm almost snapping the handle off just to release the hood.
I noticed mine is quite rusty. Is there a way to refurbish and get more years out of it, or do I need to just buy new?

Edit: yes I see they are only $30 from ecs, but I have spent hundreds $ in the last few weeks and am trying to slow the spending.

[TimeMachinE30]

Clean it. Just adding grease is not the answer. Clean and relube.

[LounsRacingInc]

My 87 4 door has the same issue, the hood latch barely works and usually needs two people too open because the grime build up from using spray grease got so bad that someone (before I owned it) forced the hood open and broke the release springs :/
I put a new set on and used a very light light coating of red chassis grease that seems to work. But time will tell how it holds up to dust and grime

[TimeMachinE30]

It is an area subject to a lot of contamination. I keep up in this as a broken cable and hood stuck closed sucks. The E38 and E30.

[TobyB]

...still swearin' by that bar oil, myself....

t

[validius]

Nasty, wonder if dry carbon lube would be a better alternative?

I just got the car out for the summer and replaced the mechanism.

I'm going to use some 'dry' garage door spray lubricant. If it causes a problem i'l try and remember to dig up this thread in a few years.

[Kershaw]

I use penetrating oil, instead of white lithium grease. It keeps it lubricated enough and doesn't gum up.