Changed cowl seal, still have a leak....

are you sure thats where it is getting in? If so, yeah seal it. If not, trace down another source like clogged cowl drain hose or ???

Are you sure its leaking there? What's happening?

When it sits for any length of time in the rain, when I start driving water pours out across the front of the dash speakers both sides. After I installed the new seal I went back and checked it a week later (laid the windshield down) and there was water under it. I reseated it as best I could and took great care in putting the windshield back up. Still leaked today. It may be where the wiper motor wires go into the dash.

Same thing happened to me. The gasket seems to small, used black sealer, been good ever since.

Did you readjust the windshield hinges to put enough pressure on the seal?

My cowl seal was so tight I had to use longer bolts to fasten it on top

There is plenty of pressure. Does black sealer work better than just clear silicone?

Did you make sure your vent drain was clear?

Yes, vent drain is fine, that's the firs thing I checked, but that would have been too easy!

Look at the bottom of the windshield header where it meets the cowl panel. There is body panel seam sealer there, mine looked good but would pour water down the dash in a down pour at 50 mph+, but would not leak with a water hose sprayed on it. I discovered this whie painting the heep and resealed all the body seams before the new paint and now NO leaks.

I'm not sure I know where you mean. Between the back of the hood and the windshield? I replaced the seal between the windsheild and the cowl.

About 6' bellow the cowl seal is where two body panels meet. There is body seam sealer at the point where they meet. Look about an inch back from where the fresh air vent grill is. I am saying body panel but mean sheet metal that forms the body, the body panel where the lower windshield hindges bolt to. It would leak even if you did not have a windshield.

Got it. The PO had sealed that at one time apparently and it still looks completely sealed. My problem has to be with the cowl seal because when I lay the windsheild forward there is water under the seal. The only other place I can see that water could possibly get in is at the hinges themselves. Thanks for the idea though.....

Charley24 said:

Got it. The PO had sealed that at one time apparently and it still looks completely sealed. My problem has to be with the cowl seal because when I lay the windsheild forward there is water under the seal. The only other place I can see that water could possibly get in is at the hinges themselves. Thanks for the idea though.....

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If there is water under the seal, there is not adequate pressure. Adjust your windshield hinges. After replacing the seal, folding the windshield back up should require quite a bit of force if thing are properly adjusted. If you don't intend to fold down your windshield again at any point in the future, go ahead and use sealer, it is easier, just not the proper way.

Have you taken the cowl plastic plate off and looked at the heater box thats underneath it? I have seen lots and lots of them crack right there and let water in.

Ibuildembig said:

Have you taken the cowl plastic plate off and looked at the heater box thats underneath it? I have seen lots and lots of them crack right there and let water in.

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I have, but I haven't actually looked for a crack. I'll try that. There is plenty of pressure on the seal. I had to use a 3" c-clamp to pull the windshield close enough to the roll bar to get the bolts started when I re-assembled it. I'm thinking I'll check the box for cracks, and use gasket sealer under the cowl seal. One thing weird...the water is always under the seal, but I guess gravity could do that.