The cowl panel under the windshield is critical.

[budpalumbo]

The cowl diverts water to the sides of the engine bay and out over the top of the wheels. Anything that could get under the cowl either around the wiper arms or just leaking by the edges of the cowl will drain through a valve in the bottom of the firewall area at the center of the windshield into the engine bay.

However, about 3" towards the driver side on a slight slope from that central drain is a body plug and harness to the interior of the truck.

If the cowl panel is not fully attached to the glass water can either or in combination overwhelm the drain or run directly on top of the harness plug and leak into the interior by running down the firewall on the inside.

For those curious, Safelite replace a cracked windshield and it wasn't sealed on the passenger side where they joined the sealing strip. I noticed a drip by the glovebox driving during a heavy storm. Upon deeper inspection I found standing water on the driver side and then discovered the cowl was attached at the sides of the glass but not in the center. I didn't notice the cowl leak sooner because I have tuxmat floor mats and they fully cover the carpet. The leaks have been fixed by Safelite and the interior dried. I am waiting to find out what they are going to do about that bill.

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[Kevin H.]

This was very helpful! I had my windshield replaces a while back and recently noticed a leak. Thanks!

 

[sanpablo]

This was very helpful! I had my windshield replaces a while back and recently noticed a leak. Thanks!

I usually remove the cowl when I am having a windshield replaced. I find the mobile glass guys are good but always in a bit of a rush. My son's Honda Civic had the windshield replaced the week before my Mav windshield. I didn't have time to remove the Civic cowl and of course a couple of clips weren't reinstalled!
The Mav cowl snaps into the plastic groove on the windshield firmly.

 

[siberdraknon]

@budpalumbo

Safelite replaced my windshield a few weeks ago and today in the rain I noticed a puddle developing in the driver footwell. What process did you need to go through to get them to address the issues? I hesitate to just go directly to them since I had issues with them also chipping the paint and saying their tools couldn't do that....until I provided photo evidence.

 

[siberdraknon]

I poured some water on the windshield and noticed the dripping from the seam on the left where 2 plastic trims overlap.

 

[budpalumbo]

A call for warranty should take care of it. Your leak is probably where the glue seal ends meet. That's the leak I noticed and it wasn't "the big one" I had.

 

[siberdraknon]

I had Safelite sent a different tech out from a different location to address my leaks. He had indicated the previous tech didn't do a very good job sealing everything but he was very confident that I wouldn't have anymore issues.

I washed the car with a pressure washer yesterday and no signs of water inside.

 

[KJWOLKE2010]

Has anyone ever considered modifying this part of the panel to vent the engine bay for heat extraction? Is there a downside to this that should be considered?

 

[TN2025]

The cowl diverts water to the sides of the engine bay and out over the top of the wheels. Anything that could get under the cowl either around the wiper arms or just leaking by the edges of the cowl will drain through a valve in the bottom of the firewall area at the center of the windshield into the engine bay.

However, about 3" towards the driver side on a slight slope from that central drain is a body plug and harness to the interior of the truck.

If the cowl panel is not fully attached to the glass water can either or in combination overwhelm the drain or run directly on top of the harness plug and leak into the interior by running down the firewall on the inside.

For those curious, Safelite replace a cracked windshield and it wasn't sealed on the passenger side where they joined the sealing strip. I noticed a drip by the glovebox driving during a heavy storm. Upon deeper inspection I found standing water on the driver side and then discovered the cowl was attached at the sides of the glass but not in the center. I didn't notice the cowl leak sooner because I have tuxmat floor mats and they fully cover the carpet. The leaks have been fixed by Safelite and the interior dried. I am waiting to find out what they are going to do about that bill.

Question
I was told that I have a leak near the cowL
I was told for to fix this and get carpet cleaned would be $5,000 grand !
I’m getting my Maverick back today to see what notes they added and what part I need cause I’m not sure if I have to replace the window or a seal
When I was talking to the lady, she seemed to say that maybe which we don’t know when the window was installed it pinched something on the cowl Maybe a seal that’s why mine was leaking. God knows how long because I got this used so the previous owner must have not seen this or did and just didn’t do anything about it, but I will update everybody. I just didn’t know if anybody had like a video of the part for one day seal or what they replaced

 

[TN2025]

The cowl diverts water to the sides of the engine bay and out over the top of the wheels. Anything that could get under the cowl either around the wiper arms or just leaking by the edges of the cowl will drain through a valve in the bottom of the firewall area at the center of the windshield into the engine bay.

However, about 3" towards the driver side on a slight slope from that central drain is a body plug and harness to the interior of the truck.

If the cowl panel is not fully attached to the glass water can either or in combination overwhelm the drain or run directly on top of the harness plug and leak into the interior by running down the firewall on the inside.

For those curious, Safelite replace a cracked windshield and it wasn't sealed on the passenger side where they joined the sealing strip. I noticed a drip by the glovebox driving during a heavy storm. Upon deeper inspection I found standing water on the driver side and then discovered the cowl was attached at the sides of the glass but not in the center. I didn't notice the cowl leak sooner because I have tuxmat floor mats and they fully cover the carpet. The leaks have been fixed by Safelite and the interior dried. I am waiting to find out what they are going to do about that bill.

The cowl diverts water to the sides of the engine bay and out over the top of the wheels. Anything that could get under the cowl either around the wiper arms or just leaking by the edges of the cowl will drain through a valve in the bottom of the firewall area at the center of the windshield into the engine bay.

However, about 3" towards the driver side on a slight slope from that central drain is a body plug and harness to the interior of the truck.

If the cowl panel is not fully attached to the glass water can either or in combination overwhelm the drain or run directly on top of the harness plug and leak into the interior by running down the firewall on the inside.

For those curious, Safelite replace a cracked windshield and it wasn't sealed on the passenger side where they joined the sealing strip. I noticed a drip by the glovebox driving during a heavy storm. Upon deeper inspection I found standing water on the driver side and then discovered the cowl was attached at the sides of the glass but not in the center. I didn't notice the cowl leak sooner because I have tuxmat floor mats and they fully cover the carpet. The leaks have been fixed by Safelite and the interior dried. I am waiting to find out what they are going to do about that bill.

Where is the harness plug and leak into the interior by running down the firewall on the inside?
this is were mine is leaking

 

[budpalumbo]

Another poster has pics, you can see a black harness under the wiper arms in the main shot of the area with the cowl removed. This was taken during the leak repair, the windshield is removed and you can see the sealant. Edit: the harness plug is white, the drain is the black on the left.

 

[BlueSpec1]

I could just see(borescope) that drain and grommet from the air intake with the filter out.

 

[Chops]

Has anyone ever considered modifying this part of the panel to vent the engine bay for heat extraction? Is there a downside to this that should be considered?

I have a new ‘25 Lobo and was thinking same thing. That big gap between the windshield and hood is like a big cowl hood scoop.

Although the AC and Heater might draw air through those top vents? Would not want to mix hot engine bay heat into the mix. You go first and let me know before I drill any holes in mine

 

[24hrsun]

I have a new ‘25 Lobo and was thinking same thing. That big gap between the windshield and hood is like a big cowl hood scoop.

Although the AC and Heater might draw air through those top vents? Would not want to mix hot engine bay heat into the mix. You go first and let me know before I drill any holes in mine

If the interest is venting heat out from under the hood. I see Ford has the side vents in the parts catalog now that replaces those black plastic filler fake vents. That may move some air out from under the hood. I didn't poke around to look at them too closely however.

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