Cowl Leaks

[Hubie]

Just got back from Vacation and found water in my front carpet. Its coming from my vent cowl. Anyone have any advice on how to remove the cowl panel. Is it possible to just use some type of sealant ?

 

[Davea Lux]

Just got back from Vacation and found water in my front carpet. Its coming from my vent cowl. Anyone have any advice on how to remove the cowl panel. Is it possible to just use some type of sealant ?

There are a bunch of places on the cowl that can leak, the parts exposed to the weather are the most common. Check the bases of the A-Pillars for rust damage. Next common area is the sealant around the top and sides of the windshield. The cowl also can leak under the ribbed panel for the wiper linkage. The floor of the linkage enclosure sometimes rusts out and if there is a hole, water will leak inside the car. If you need to get in there to use sealant, the top ribs are held in place by sheet metal screws so that part can be removed. Depending on the year and model of the car, the ribbed panel is either metal or plastic and on some models the wiper arms have to be removed to get the panel off. You will not always be able to see the source of the leak, I use a soap solution on the seams and then go inside with a hair dryer set to blow (no heat) to see where bubbles form on the seams, that will usually be the source of the leak.

Dave

 

[Hubie]

There are a bunch of places on the cowl that can leak, the parts exposed to the weather are the most common. Check the bases of the A-Pillars for rust damage. Next common area is the sealant around the top and sides of the windshield. The cowl also can leak under the ribbed panel for the wiper linkage. The floor of the linkage enclosure sometimes rusts out and if there is a hole, water will leak inside the car. If you need to get in there to use sealant, the top ribs are held in place by sheet metal screws so that part can be removed. Depending on the year and model of the car, the ribbed panel is either metal or plastic and on some models the wiper arms have to be removed to get the panel off. You will not always be able to see the source of the leak, I use a soap solution on the seams and then go inside with a hair dryer set to blow (no heat) to see where bubbles form on the seams, that will usually be the source of the leak.

Dave

Great information . I shot water in the vent grill and that looks like thats where it starts. Looks like I will have to remove the lower windshield chrome to remove the panel, does that sound correct?

 

[Davea Lux]

Great information . I shot water in the vent grill and that looks like thats where it starts. Looks like I will have to remove the lower windshield chrome to remove the panel, does that sound correct?

I think there are probably some screws under the chrome, but try removing the screws you can see first to check if the panel will slide out.

Dave

 

[Hubie]

I think there are probably some screws under the chrome, but try removing the screws you can see first to check if the panel will slide out.

Dave

Good deal.

 

[CBODY67]

You might look in the Chrysler parts book illustrations to see how the cowl attaches, other than the obvious items, and also the chrome trim. In the front end sheet metal illustrations and also the chrome trim sections, probably.

Letr us know what you find,
CBODY67