Here is my next question, see I told you there would be more ::), looking down on the cowl through the louvers I can see leaves collected in there. I know if I don't clean all that out it will rust among other things. I have looked through my manual and can't find out how to get in there and clean it out. On other cars that cowl panel will unbolt and you can lift it out to clean up and work on the wiper linkage. Does not appear to be the case here.
So what do I do? :what:
Thanks
jim
Take the hood/hood hinges off. That is the only way to get under there. All that metal is galvanized so it might be ok.
Bill
Ok thanks, I will look into that. Hmm I wonder if they could have made it any harder???????????
jim
Yes, CLEAN IT OUT!!!
Cowl=drainage holes
leaves+drainage holes= blockage
blockage+wet leaves=rust
rust+drainage holes=alternate drainage route= in-car water feature!
(I've been plagued with this issue)
BGP :nocool:
Does anyone know if it would be possible to fix a bent/in-dented cowl vent? If I ever get around to removing mine, it has been dented inward due to the hood not secured correctly. The hood caught on the cowl vent at one time and pulled it up and the vent crushed downward.
Hey HellfireJim:
DID you ever get the leaves cleaned out of your cowl? I am dealing with the same problem, my cowl is stuffed with them. I can "move" them around with a screwdriver and try to vacuum them, but they won't budge. Did you remove the hood and get them out? I am starting to wonder if this isn't the reason my passenger floor is toast with bad rust....
Anyone else?
Chris
I pulled my fenders out slightly back towards the doors and you can see the cowl outlets. I shoved a screw driver through the outlet to break up the sludge and crap in there and then ran water down the cowl to clean it all out. The cowl drains under the front of the doors, so you can watch those for how much crud is coming out and tell when you are done.
Be sure to clean out the drains down by the doors too!
Quote from: popbumper on June 27, 2008, 12:12:27 AM
Hey HellfireJim:
DID you ever get the leaves cleaned out of your cowl? I am dealing with the same problem, my cowl is stuffed with them. I can "move" them around with a screwdriver and try to vacuum them, but they won't budge. Did you remove the hood and get them out? I am starting to wonder if this isn't the reason my passenger floor is toast with bad rust....
Anyone else?
Chris
No not yet. I have kept the car covered when I am not working on it and yes I Know I should clean it out but time and effort........ it is on the list. I am hoping since it has dried out, is to get it all with the shop vac. If it won't come out the only real option besides pulling the hood is to cut an opening and fix it once and for all.
Just have been so focused in just getting it up and going.
jim
It look's like you need to remove both left and right fenders than the cowling panel. BTW If you turn the panel upside down , you can use a flat board and beat the panel square........But not to square.....Good luck because that is what I need to do, if I change the dead motor......
Just because I am unclear - some folks suggest removing the hood and accessing the cowl through there, some folks the fenders - seems like the fenders are the best option, no?
Chris
The holes in the cowl for the hood hinges are about 3"x1-3/4" while the cowl holes accessible under fenders are about 1"x1-3/4". Do not forget the fresh air cowl hole for the heater which is about 5" to 6" diameter (if I remember correctly) but it is on the passenger side only. Depending on the quantity and size of debris in there, you may need access to all or just hose it out from the top grille. If you live in a wet/humid area, I would recommend painting or rustproofing the cowl interior once cleaned out.
I had the same problem. My cowl was full of "whirlybirds" (maple tree seeds) when I came back from China. It's amazing how they can get past those slits in such large quantity.
I didn't have time to deal with them.
Later I got on the freeway and they were all blowing out my interior vents! What a mess in the interior!
They are all gone now! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: