230 with Heavy Motor Cover

[akorcovelos]

Mine has a power hatch and the ram struggles to lift it, and chatters when I lower it. I think it's water logged. Next fall it's getting redone, we'll see then how much it lightens up with new foam.

[SamIAm]

Looking to resurrect this year old thread...
I have a 2007 252 and my motor hatch struts are shot. The number on the strut is SL29-80 (36" x 80 lbs). I ordered 2 new struts and installed them but they do not hold the hatch open (not even close). I just had my rear pad recovered so I know there's no water weight. I asked the person (ebay) about this and they said sometimes the original OEM struts are mis-identified and have a higher # charge than listed on the strut. Does anyone know (or know where I can find) the correct strut poundage for a 252 motor hatch?

[Big Block Power]

Mine are 70. I was thinking of trying some in the 100s maybe I would try 120.

[akorcovelos]

Need 252 pics or it didn't happen. Also, I would like to know what strut you end up with as I've wanted to add them to mine.

[SamIAm]

I ordered (2) 130# struts (hope I didn't go too heavy). I'll post again once installed (with pics).

[SamIAm]

I installed (2) 130 lbs struts to my 2007 252 motor hatch and they work perfectly. They hold the hatch open (when fully open) but hatch is heavy enough to stay closed (when closed). Your mileage may vary, but they worked for me.

[MikeBo]

Mine was unbelievably heavy, then I found the switch on the dash that opened it automatically

[Big Block Power]

Mine was unbelievably heavy, then I found the switch on the dash that opened it automatically

That's so bad
How many times do you think that has happened.

[akorcovelos]

Mine was unbelievably heavy, then I found the switch on the dash that opened it automatically

My 252 has the full sun pad, and didn't come with struts. It just has the ram, and IMO they offset it too far to the port side. This is probably exasperated by the fact that it's original and likely water logged...the ram struggles to lift the hatch and you can see the hatch sagging on the starboard side where is't not supported. I may see about mounting struts to assist the ram as even with a new pad (eventually) I think evening out the load is a better design.

[cmattj]

Mine was unbelievably heavy, then I found the switch on the dash that opened it automatically

My 252 has the full sun pad, and didn't come with struts. It just has the ram, and IMO they offset it too far to the port side. This is probably exasperated by the fact that it's original and likely water logged...the ram struggles to lift the hatch and you can see the hatch sagging on the starboard side where is't not supported. I may see about mounting struts to assist the ram as even with a new pad (eventually) I think evening out the load is a better design.

Great idea AK ! Considering all new suv hatches have gas assist shocks with the power actuator arm.

[doubledinn69]

2004 220

That's a good point about the water logged cushions. Mine drip terribly when raised, but cobalt has a water channel but the water usually misses the channel. In the past I've put plastic over the engine when its dripping alot. It drips just behind the flame arrester. The water (rain water) got nothing to do with the struts but I think I'll get new struts anyway. BTW- when I work on the engine I remove the struts and have 2x4" cut to keep the hatch raised.

I have a similar problem on my 220. I don't think my cushions are water logged as we generally don't stand on them and use the middle walk through, but I've noticed when kids are skiing/tubing and get on wet and water drips on the walk through or cushions and I open the hatch at the end of the day, water drips on the engine and like mentioned above misses the channel that is installed on the edge. It also looks like someome may have caulked the seam where the lid pieces come together. I also have problems with water dripping from the front lip of the cover onto the front of motor when lifting it.

Any thoughts on prevention or has anyone put some kind of larger drip edge to route it away from the engine?

Image attached.