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on my 86.5 it’was torn ,getting in the way of windshield wiper motor. How important is it to replace if I don’t drive in the rain. What is it’s function beyond keeping water off?
I've had this problem as well. I think it's a result of not having the cover properly in the retaining clip on that side. I found that bending the clip down aids in getting it installed and then I put my hand under the cover and bend the clip back up when installed. It seems to help.
There are tabs that hold the cover up against the cowl to keep it out of the wiper linkage. They get bent down, or the cover is accidentally installed without fitting the rear edge above the clips. With the cover removed, you can run your fingers across under the front lip of the steel cowl panel to find the clips. Make sure they are not bent down.
While you may not drive in the rain on purpose, there’s still a chance you wash the car. That plastic cover protects the wiper motor and linkage, the blower motor and wiring from the water. Jerry Feather makes an interesting replacement, including stickers.
Dr Bob said "There are tabs that hold the cover up against the cowl to keep it out of the wiper linkage." - couldnt find these tabs on my body, but Jerrys cover stays in place ok, probably because of the way the front edge locates. Also on my MY the wiper motor seems to be mounted differently, and I had to cut a clearance hole in the cover. Its RHD , but I dont think thats relevant to wiper location.
jp 83 Euro S AT 57k
With the plastic cover removed, look/feel back up under the metal cowl panel. The rear of the plastic cover fits on metal tabs under the cowl panel, supporting he rear edge of the plastic cover against the metal panel and keeping it above the wiper linkage. It's easy to fit the plastic under the tabs, where it will be subject to the ravages of the wiper linkage. The tabs may also get bent down so they do a lesser job of supporting the plastic cover.
You also seem to be missing the rubber molding/sealing strip that secures the cover to the firewall panel, and keeps engine bay fumes from the fresh air inlet to the cabin. Perhaps it's off for your picture?
My car is under cover in hibernation or I'd snap a picture and share.
Dr Bob, I did discuss the tabs with Jerry when I got the cover, and I did look without result. My original cover covered less than half the area (and was VERY flimsy, cracked) so this one is a big improvement.
jp 83 Euro S AT 57k
There is a fresh air inlet under the cowl cover? I assume it is on all 928 models??? Would anyone mind describing that to me and it’s location, please?
There is a fresh air inlet under the cowl cover? I assume it is on all 928 models??? Would anyone mind describing that to me and it’s location, please?
As always, thank you!
In JP's picture from his post above, you can see where a hole was cut to add clearance for the wiper linkage. Closer/forward and on the right in that picture, you can see a rectangular opening that doesn't do much on the RHD cars. On your LHD USA car, that's the opening for air to the HVAC blower area, and more specifically it feeds the fresh air inlet door that's directly above the central electrics panel.
For those with the abbreviated earlier covers, and also for those that are considering driving with no cover at all, the area around the wiper motor and the fan will fill up with leaves and debris if you aren't religious about keeping it all clean. Debris will interfere with the seal on the flap and allow wash and rainwater behind the CE panel. Not Good. Debris will also foul and clog the little rubber "scupper" vent flap that drains water down and forward through the firewall. Water backs up and gets behind the CE panel... You get the idea. Best to have the plastic cowl cover installed if you ever plan to have the car out and uncovered, in my opinion anyway.
Here’s my ‘83 with a just-installed Jerry Feather cowl. The OEM is no longer available (apparently only the earlier small version is still available). Jerry’s is great, and the plastic is thicker and sturdier than my original. I second the thought that having this cover is not an option!
It seems probably risky to drive without the cowl if you get caught in a bad rain, but I think I may be missing something. I went out to see the opening on the passenger side of the cowl, I’m looking at my blower box through the opening. Does the blower box have an opening for “Fresh Air?” I guess it must but for some reason I don’t see it!
the blower box opening is at the bottom of the cowl well about 18 inches down from the rubber weather strip.
The best way to see it is to drop the blower box and reseal the blower box edge put a towel over the dropped CE panel to catch all the debris when the box is removed.
NOTE if the hood is removed they you also see this air inlet opening after you remove the plastic cowl cover
JPitman has the LHD version of the Cowl Cover installed in his RHD 928. That may have been the only one available before I converted a couple of the forms to make the correct reverse version for the RHD cars. He also has an 83 MY 928 which does not have the tab/clips to hold the rear edge of the Cowl Cover up off the wiper crank. Those came only with 84 and later cars. It might be that his firewall is out of place so that the Cowl Cover is not snug enough against the cowl trim at the base of the WS. If the firewall is pushed back to its correct position that may also allow the closed cell seal I put along the rear of my Covers to help hold the rear up off of the WS wiper crank and arms, just by friction. JP, if you will send me your address I'll send you the correct Cowl Cover and the Cowl Seal that you seem to be missing. Hopefully you will be able to put it into service without cutting a hole in it.
Just read your post on this. Seriously? Thats VERY generous Jerry, considering the shipping. IIRC last time you shipped the cover in a very sturdy box, which I still have. Despite the lack of the support tabs at the windscreen base the rear of the cover seems to sit up fine, and once I got the wiper clearance hole cut there has been no interference. I have not seen any signs that the firewall is out of place, as in accident damaged? Totally happy with your cover. As I have said before, I think there was a change of location of the wiper motor (its height in the cavity at least) along the way.
01-22-2019, 12:26 PM
Cowl cover question
