I have the dreaded cowl leak. Its leaking in on the driver side if it maters. So im asking is there any fixes for this problem by not taking apart the front end of the car?

 

they make plastic tubes to fit in the steel tubes they work but idk not the best way. Before i replaced my cowl i used the plastic tubes along with the clear cowl cover. Just put it on when it rains works great nothing gets into the cowl. I still use the clear cowl cover even after replacing upper and lower cowl.

 

All fixes will be a bandaid over a cut that needs stitches in the end you need the cowl cut open and repaired.

 

If the standpipe is shot but the floor of the cowl is intact, a plastic standpipe can be inserted from underneath.

If the car is not a daily driver, and is stored indoors, further rusting is unlikely. If it is a daily driver, you're still buying some time. Coating the inside of the cowl after inserting the "hat" will help.

Here's the full-up cowl repair:

Mustang and Shelby Cowl Repair

 

Mine were only a little leaky, and since I was going with a Vintage AC system which seals up the cowl area on the passenger side, I ditched the vent on the driver side.

So, using my Dremel with a cut-off wheel, I cut the hats out completely, cleaned the area, used phosphoric acid to kill any rust, painted it and used the plastic hats with a good deal of sealant. I don't think I'll ever have a leak again and it's a whole lot easier than replacing the cowl.

I know it's not how a lot of you would have done it, but I think it works just fine for a whole lot less work. If your cowl is severely rusted, probably won't work out so well.

 

i also poured water on the windshield in the driver corner and it leaks into the car, with that i would say its more than just the cowl. any other thaughts?

 

That could just be the seal if they did not put the proper sealant between the rubber and glass, or body and rubber it will probably leak pretty good. Mine does just for this reason for a wile i thought it was the cowl and i missed something because it would leak out of the bottom of the dash, but upon closer looking it was the seal. I need to take the windshield back out and redo it using all the correct materials. Mine leaks between the glass and the rubber seal and its a new seal, my father put his in with a bit of rtv between the glass and seal and his leaks nothing.

 

I will get under the dash and more into it when it id a bit nicer again, i hope its just the windshield seal, because i dont want to tare down the front end of my car cause of lack of funds.

 

Have a friend shove a garden hose in the cowl vent holes under the windshield.You get in the car and watch for leaks.After 10 mins and nothing leaking then have them run the hose over the windshield trim and the wiper arm holes see if its from there.

 

Did not think of that yet, this weekend is going to be in the upper 70s so good time to do it