Cowl Vents 101

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: O.K. The "slits" between the hood and the windshield were designed to let air into the car. When you open the vents, the air that comes into your car has actually came thru these slits. One the left and right side of the car, up under the dash, there are round holes with a rim around it. It is here where the air enters the car. You can't see the holes because the heater box takes up one hole, and the vent duct work takes up the other. : The "rim" is what keeps the water out. There are two channels, one on each side of the car, where the water is suppose to go. It is suppose to drain out these channels, then down the inside of the front fenders just behind the front wheels. : What happens is that leaves and junk get in the "slits", clogs up the channels and the water can't drain out. What doesn't come up over the top will eventually set there and rust out the "rim" around the top of the holes, making them useless. This is why you are getting water in your car. : How to fix? Well, it is alot of work....and money. You can try and close off the "slits", which will starve you of fresh air (not a real big concern), or you can disassemble your entire dash and have new cowl vents welded in. If the holes are not to bad, you may be able to seal them up with silicone....but this is a temporary fix. : Oh well, good luck folks. : P.S. As a side note, the reason your front fenders rust out behind the front wheels is because some of the leaves and junk that does get washed out the channels gets stuck behind the fenders. That is why when you get your Mavs/Comets restored or painted, always pull off the fenders and check it out behind there. : : ========================================================= : : : The leak? The only thing it can be......the cowl vents. You say you have it sealed, but with what? and how well? It has to be the cowl vents. : : Actually I didn't seal them. They were sealed when I got the car. I've no idea what they are sealed with but they are painted over with what appears to be the same paint as the rest of the car. I've checked it after a hard rain and it didn't appear soft so I assumed that the leak was elsewhere. Where is the water that gets in there supposed to go and how? : : Thanks : : Steve : : : ======================================== : : : : I've been trying to find the cause of a water leak into the interior of the car. It seems to come from under the dash on both sides. The heater core is not hooked up so I'm pretty sure that's not it. The grilled opening that resides between hood and windshield has been covered over and appears secure. I've sealed the windshield and trim so I'm pretty sure it isn't coming from there either. The firewall looks good. I know the door seals leak some but didn't think they leaked that much, besides I've seen the water coming from under the dash near the parking brake. I'm at a loss as to where this water could be getting in at. : : : : I'm also having problems with the rear view mirror. It keep falling off. The last time I made sure I followed the directions completely even to the point of waiting about 2-3 months for the weather to cool down so the temp would be between 70-40 degrees as the package said. Once again it has fallen off. Do any of you know of anything I can try to keep this blasted thing on? I've thought of drilling a hole and bolting it on but decided against for obvious reasons. :-) : : : : Thanks : : : : Steve

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