F115 Engine Cowl

[Lucky Lefty]

My engine cowl latch on back of motor is froze. I have sprayed with PB Blaster and Krolls. I can't get the lever to break loose. I am to the point of taking a grinder and cutting around the latch to get it off. I need to do a engine oil change and spark plugs. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get this free. It is a 2004 model and I bought it in 2013 and put around 350 hours on it mostly in salt water enviroment.

[pstephens46]

Did you try compressing the cowl downward while trying to unlatch?

Have someone put their full body weight on the cowl.

[robert graham]

Before grinding/cutting it off maybe try a can of Freeze-Off that uses very cold CO2 to help loosen stuck items....Auto Zone or Advance Auto will have it....worth a try here before buggering up your cowling....

[scofflaw]

My service manual shows how to release the latches when the cable fails. Not sure that is your problem

[DennisG01]

How long did you let the penetrating fluid soak in? If not very long, spray it once or twice a day for at least a few days.

I second the notion of pushing down - it might just help enough.

Another thought... and I don't if the latch on your F115 is setup such to allow this, but what about taking a plastic wedge and gently tapping it into the crevice between the cowling and the lever. Don't go crazy, but you may be able to help loosen it up that way.

[Lucky Lefty]

The plastic lever to release the rear latch broke. It was so froze up the lever snapped when trying to release it.I used a claw hammer to fully extend the lever. I have sprayed the latch over 20-30 times. I have left the latch in the undone position for over 1/2 year. Driven on bumpy roads, gravel roads, hit waves while boating, rough waves on the ocean. nothing it is frozen. I had my mechanic, his friend and I all pushing on it prying using crowbars and wedges to try to free it. I ahve applied enough pressure you can hear the fiberglass creaking from stress. I don't know what else to di but I need to do some maintenancve on it.

[pstephens46]

New cowl looks to be around $1700.

What happens when you unlatch front and lift from the front slightly? Would that help to loosen whatever corrosion may be in the way? Wiggle it side to side a little too.

Did you try compressing it too? Before it broke?

[99yam40]

I would find another cowling to inspect and measure where the best place to drill or cut to access the latch to beat it open or cut it

[Ricksphd]

Break the latch the use a chisel to pry between the latch arm and the cowling to force the latch open.

[zenoahphobic]

If you choose to cut, look at another cowl, and then cut as cleanly as you can with the aim of being able to “glue” or pop rivet a plate behind etc., to place that piece back in.