MORE Car Trouble!

My parents borrowed my car last week to spend a few days in Cape Town. While there, my dad and my brother decided to take a look at the points and fiddle in the engine a bit.

Back at my place, dad wanted to sand down the residue on the points late Friday afternoon, and I thought I'd go help him (so I know where the distributor is for future reference).

Unfortunately, the bonnet refused to open. My dear relatives have closed it so securely that even with the catch loose it's stuck! There's a round thing that fits in a hole to close the bonnet, and it's been jammed down very, very securely.

We spent an hour trying to prise it open on Friday, and I've been trying ever since at intervals. I may succeed in cracking the grill (it's plastic!), but the round thingy just won't budge. We've sprayed it with Q10 (lubricant), hammered it, chiselled it, attempted to lever it out with a crowbar - all to no avail.

I'm tempted to play dumb and go down to get my car's water/oil checked when I fill up, only to discover "oh no, the bonnet won't open! can you help?" :), but I probably shouldn't. My mechanic is due to sort out the water pump and may be able to fix it, but not before I'm due to fill up again!

However, I'm immensely grateful that our water-system and brake problems are sorted out and that I don't have to open the bonnet to fill up the radiator or brake fluid before every trip - that would have been disastrous!

Perhaps what I really need is a giant can opener...?