Is it possible to stop cowl vent leaks without disassembling the dashboard and/or front fenders ?

 

National Parts Depot sells a plasic cover which can be placed over the cowl vents outside the car. This seals the car from getting water in and also fresh air. It is not ideal but is a cheap, temporary fix.

Larry

 

From all I have heard, it is a fairly major project to repair the cowl on a Mustang the right way. I have not had to do this, knock on wood, but a lot of members on the forum have had to do it.

From what I understand the spotwelds that hold the cowl in place must be drilled out and the panell has to be replaced. I think you will find some info in the FAQ on this procedure, and others will chime in.

 

I've used that plexiglass, external vent cover for about 4 years now. It's somewhat of a hassle, but if rain is in the forecast I just install it and leave it on for a few days.

Works like a champ.

 

I actually had one of the plexiglass, external vent covers installed for over 15 years now. I am still saving up money to do the fix properly. I have had absolutely no troubles with it.

Larry.

 

For those with leaking and presumably rusty cowls but riding around with cowl vent covers... did you put any rust retardent or neutralizer on the cowls or are you keeping it dry thinking it will rust more slowly and plan a repair at a later date???

 

Good question.

I kind'a fit the question because I thought my interior leaks were from the cowl. I bought the plexi cover and the leaks continued.

It was the windshield weatherstrip.

So now I use the plexi cover to PREVENT cowl ventrust out. (And I'm not sure I even wanna know what it looks like under there!)

 

I put the covers on to keep the floor boards dry. They are newly replaced. I am just letting the cowl area rust away for now because I am going to replace the whole thing someday soon
Larry

 

Seabull,
All the mustang parts suppliers sell a cowl vent repair kit. I beleive these are installed from inside up under the dash. The kit has two plastic caps that are inserted and glued up into the sheet metal cowl holes. These may work if the rusts not to bad. I'm considering giving them a try myself. I hope anyone that has tried them will post a reply.
Lowell

 

Is that a "Mustang Sin",,, I don't think so. To me it makes perfect sense to do majorrepairs like this on a scedule set by the owner....

If the water can be kept off of the floorboards by using a cover nothing is going to be lost by waiting it out...

I have thought about this repair even though I don't think I will need to do it, and I have considererd that it might be easier to cut the top of the cowl area out (a big area around the top vent),repairing the vent from the top, and then welding the top piece back in...

Not the "correct" way to do it, but I think it might work and be easier than drilling out all of those welds....

Anyone have any thoughts on this??