Suzuki 140DF cowling latch stuck

[lord1234]

I have a stuck latch on my suzuki 140DF cowling, thats not budging. Should I try whacking it with a mallet to get it off? PB Blaster? Do I need to take it to a suzuki shop to get it off?

Thanks for any advice in advance.

[Murray]

My suggestion would be to work the latch while pushing down on the cowl, maybe push the cowl left and right. If you smack it with a hammer chances are it will break. PB blaster is for rust. I’m guessing something is jammed so by sticking your tongue out just right and a wiggling the cowl while applying pressure in exactly the right spot it will come. I don’t have my boat near by but if memory serves the latch mechanism is aluminum and plastic.

[Murray]

Another thought. If your are still stuck after wiggling and jiggling could you drill out the rivets that hold the latch assembly on the cowl? I’m assuming the latch is held on with rivets.

[briscoe]

Exactly what I was thinking too, Murray. Do the top ones, the bottom ones take 5/16 inch long ones.