When I went to open the hatch door on my 98 integra I noticed that the tension on the hydraulic lift was gone. The hatch door won't stay open by itself! We had a really cold week this week (temps around 15 degrees). Has anyone ever had this problem? Is the hydraulic lift on the door broken? The temperature outside is back up to the 40's so I know that nothing is frozen. Help!!

 

The same thing has happened to me on occasion... and it's almost entirely due to the cold temperature.

The hatch struts aren't pure hydraulic... they're gas-filled as well.

Within a constant volume, gas pressure rises and falls as a function of temperature.
So when it's cold out, the gas pressure is lower and the overall lifting capacity is reduced.

If the hatch struts worked fine during the warmer months, I'd just use a 2x4 for a prop until the spring thaw. It's not particularly elegant, but it's cheap.

h:

 

They were definitely working in the warmer months. The only thing that I'm worried about is that when I opened the hatch after it had been cold, I heard a whooshing sound as if gas was escaping. I wonder if the seal was somehow cracked? Any idea on what this might cost to replace?

 

Don't worry about it... they'll recover.

And if there is fluid leaking from the strut and they're clearly dead, it's a very simple job to replace them. Any auto parts store worth their salt will have replacement struts available for a reasonable price.

All you'll need is a slim end-wrench and a friend to hold the hatch open.
No worries. :run:

 

Thanks a lot man. I really appreciate your help!