When I got my '89 coupe it had several dents/dings in the bonnet
which could not be easily removed with PDR techniques, so it's in
the shop for repair and respray. Two of the dings were outies
(dents causing high spots on the outside surface of the bonnet)
which may have been caused by closing the bonnet upon a forgotten
tool on top of the engine. They also may have been caused by some
part of the engine sitting too high or from worn motor mounts that
cause the engine to rise slightly upon acceleration. I don't want
to reinstall the bonnet, close it and cause the same two dings
again. Anyone had similar occurences or does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Willie

 

Willie,

I reckon you have pretty much nailed it with the tools etc left on the radiator panel and the bonnet closed.

I would "eyeball" the outies and then relate that position to engine items in the same, or close to, area.

The a/c compressor clutch is faily close, as are the 2 front injector clamps, particularly if someone has used "slightly" longer injector hoses on the other 10, and raised the fuel rail by some millimetres. OK at the rear, a tad squeezy up front.

Mine had the same, and it was directly over the radiator top panel, so sockets etc is all I concluded.

Then I got a BIGGY, one fan blade ventured out of its correct position at some serious highway speed, that was a BIG outie.

 

You could always lay a sheet of newspaper and then a doubled over blanket a on top of the engine and close the bonnet gently. Any place the newspaper tears is suspect. If you are successful, then move on to the "gentle slam". Again, look for tears in the newspaper.

Of course that does not allow for the engine rocking over, so you may want to try more blanket. But, you get the drift.