Leak from underneath defender 90

[Shelly crane]

Update, the passenger door now opens from the outside. But, we wanted to check under the bonnet and now the bonnet doesn't undo bonnet release cable does nothing, we tried pulling catch from behind front grill but no luck yet. Any tips to get it undone?

 

[Anaconda]

Have you tried pulling the cable while the other person pushes down or lifts the bonnet?
Otherwise take the grille off and pull/push the catch release over.

 

[Shelly crane]

Have you tried pulling the cable while the other person pushes down or lifts the bonnet?
Otherwise take the grille off and pull/push the catch release over.

We didn't try pushing down on it at the same time, will give it a go tomorrow! Did manage to pull the latch completely from behind the grill but it wouldn't budge. We are going to check the level in the transfer box tomorrow as the leak has reduced a lot

 

[dag019]

We didn't try pushing down on it at the same time, will give it a go tomorrow! Did manage to pull the latch completely from behind the grill but it wouldn't budge. We are going to check the level in the transfer box tomorrow as the leak has reduced a lot

If you managed to fully pull the latch through the grill it will just need a bit of a wiggle. With the latch fully pulled try pushing down hard on it, if that doesn’t work try pulling side to side. And most importantly try doing both of those relatively hard. A gentle nudge doesn’t do much on an old defender!

 

[Anaconda]

If you managed to fully pull the latch through the grill it will just need a bit of a wiggle. With the latch fully pulled try pushing down hard on it, if that doesn’t work try pulling side to side. And most importantly try doing both of those relatively hard. A gentle nudge doesn’t do much on an old defender!

It's these sort of things that people don't bother to sort. Spend a bit of time lining everything up and lubricate every now and again and it should open ok.
Let's face it a Defender bonnet needs to be opened on a regular basis.

 

[dag019]

It's these sort of things that people don't bother to sort. Spend a bit of time lining everything up and lubricate every now and again and it should open ok.
Let's face it a Defender bonnet needs to be opened on a regular basis.

Completely agree with the above and should have said. I was more focused on getting it open.
To alight it you need to remove the grill (just large cross head screws) then loosen (not not undo) the tow bolts holding the latch in place. This will then allow you to move the latch around to perfectly line up the bonnet.

The bolts to loosen are these two circled in Green (pic from Google). If you have a later style latch these will be captive nuts (square shapes) and the bolt will need to be loosed from the underside

Later style with cative nuts (pic also from Google):

It is also worth checking and maybe replacing the plastic bushing in the bonnet hinges. As these can cause the catch to miss-align as they wear or the slots breaks. Part number: 346849