Leaking windshield cowling

limenuke · 03-13-2012, 04:55 PM

If your cowling is not sealing properly, where does the water end up in your car?

**T.Dot_E30** · 03-13-2012, 05:04 PM

One common issue is that it ends up in the ECU compartment and when that gets flooded and fries the ECU, your car won't run/start.

InfiniteDice · 03-13-2012, 05:10 PM

Or down the firewall and under the carpet... ruining things.

limenuke · 03-13-2012, 06:14 PM

I have water under my driver side carpet, so I assume that's definetely one of the leaks?

limenuke · 03-17-2012, 11:34 AM

I removed my cowling only to realize that the cowling doesn't do anything but bridge the bottom part of the windshield. But the cowling itself has grilles on it...so I assume that they aren't designed to be water tight or anything. How does a leaky front windshield cowling contribute to leaking into the interior?

**T.Dot_E30** · 03-17-2012, 12:02 PM

It's hard to tell, you'll have to try where the leak is coming from in your driverside foot well.

Are you sure it's water and not brake fluid or coolant?

Take apart the driverside footwell and see if you can find where the leak is coming from.

It could also be a rusted hole in your flooring.

limenuke · 03-19-2012, 10:07 AM

What's the best way to take apart the driver side footwell? Take out the seat, remove all the trim, and lift the carpet?

sb_600 · 03-19-2012, 02:07 PM

Do you have a sunroof? If one of the front drain hoses gets blocked or freezes, it could pop off. Thus, your sunroof would drain down the A-pillar onto your floor.

It happened to my e36 on the passenger side.

limenuke · 03-19-2012, 04:38 PM

I do have a sunroof...but none of my interior pillars feel wet from the inside. My headliner feels dry as well. What's the best way of finding the drains? I was looking online but couldn't find them when I opened the sunroof..

doogee · 03-19-2012, 06:31 PM

Usually when the carpet is wet, it means the heater core is leaking coolant. The only way water could be entering by the cowling is if the drains are clogged. They're located on the fire wall right under the cover to the blower motor. Sometimes they get clogged up with dirt.

sb_600 · 03-20-2012, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limenuke

I do have a sunroof...but none of my interior pillars feel wet from the inside. My headliner feels dry as well. What's the best way of finding the drains? I was looking online but couldn't find them when I opened the sunroof..

Neither did mine - they have a coating on them from the inside i think. You basically have to pull the headlinder down to see if the drain has popped off. Good luck!

limenuke · 03-20-2012, 12:52 AM

I would think it's leaking coolant but there's no smell at all and my coolant level stays constant. So, I'm ruling it out.

It definetely smells like water (like nothing) and I've seen the water under the rug ice over during winter..which coolant should not do.

sb_600 · 03-20-2012, 07:29 AM

Yup - sounds exactly like what happened to me, except mine was passenger side. It's not too fun when you find you main power cable soaking in 3" of water!!!

You should also get a shopvac or something and try and suck up the water out of the carpet. It's amazing how much that thing can hold!

limenuke · 03-20-2012, 03:19 PM

Thank you so much for your help. I will get straight on that tonight!