[Paul W]

Yesterday I figured out that the cowl panel was just screwed down and I wanted to get to the windshield washer nozzles to add new hoses as no hoses existed.

I removed the four screws, did the repairs I wanted (will most likely re-do it again later) and went to put the cowl back in....got it to tuck in correctly, as so I think.

I then re-inserted the rubber seal between the hood and the cowl and closed the hood. I can now see the rubber seal for a small portion in the middle of the hood. I'm sure I would of noticed it before, so I believe this is new. The metal is more "straight" at the hood latch, so the seal can't be positioned at that area like the rest of the area, it must be pushed further back.

Anybody know how to correct this? I tried loosening the screws and tapping the cowl back towards the rear of the car, but it didn't work....I'm sure it's so simple adjustment. Thanks!

 

[mcola]

The seal on my 87 sits the same way- more flat across the center, and slightly visible with the hood closed. I've just lived with it. It may be because the front lip seems to straighten a little in the center. If adjusting it gets you no where, you may opt to cut that area back, so its no longer visible with the hood closed. If you mark it while its on the car, then remove it and slice it with an exacto knife, nobody will tell you ever cut it.

 

[ossodiseppia]

How's the gap on the leading edge of the hood? If the gap is small, you can loosen the hinges and wriggle the hood back towards the windshield a bit to close up the trailing edge gap. You'll have to adjust the hood latch too.

 

[Paul W]

I was thinking of that....just figured I would post first. Did a search and found nothing. Every time I have a question, I just search and usually find the solution almost immediately.

 

[Paul W]

How's the gap on the leading edge of the hood? If the gap is small, you can loosen the hinges and wriggle the hood back towards the windshield a bit to close up the trailing edge gap. You'll have to adjust the hood latch too.

The gaps seem to be even on the hood to cowl, but will check it again.

 

[Capp]

Dude!...flip your seal first!

Paul W- try reversing/flipping the seal. There is a direction to the angle of the seal, i.e.: if you look at the end of the seal in cross section you will notice the sealing contact surface is directional- it should lean towards the front of the car- at least mine does. If you put it on backward it will lean the wrong way and show. Please don't ask how I know this.

 

[spiderserie4]

how can you flip the seal?....there is only one way it fits afaik, the screwholes in the seal fit under the cowl..to me PaulW has it correct in the photos above....

However, if I remember correctly there are oval screw holes in the seal as well as in the cowl itself, which allow for a little adjustment here and there..........the seal should be hard against the lip of the drain channel, before tightening the screws of the cowl down to hold it in place. (well on my S4 its like that)

 

[Paul W]

I would say I have the seal in backwards.....it appeared to me that when I was trying to figure out how the cowl was attached I could not see the screws without moving the seal with some pressure and then I saw the screws.

Now that it's back in, you can easily see the screws....so I'm going to say I have it in upside down. I'm going to look at it now....

 

[spiderserie4]

if the seal is under the cowl and the screwholes in the seal and those in the cowl are in line (so the seal edge points to the screen, as in my photo), I still cannot see how you can possibly flip it unless I am going nuts somewhere along the line?!

 

[Paul W]

After looking at it, I agree with Don, the open end of the seal flap should be facing the back of the car, the "V" facing forward and the bottom under the cowl.

If you wanted to put it backwards so the "V" faces the front of the car, the seal would have to be on top of the cowl, which is not the way I found it....a few pictures.

This is the way I had it installed, which appears to be the correct way:

 

[Paul W]

If it was to be flipped around, this is what it would look like, but there isn't enough room behind the hood latch. Don't mind the coolant at the plug, that's from changing the expansion bottle out and I have yet to run the car...

 

[Forzaguy]

Hmmmm, mine (87 Quad) is installed backward facing and over the scuttle lip, and not under it as I see here. Which is correct?

 

[Paul W]

After re-installing it again, I can see the small marks on the seal where it would touch the hood. I shoved it under the cowl as much as possible and tightened it down.

Then I closed the hood and it is no longer "proud" of the hood, it ends just under the lip and it must of used to be pressed forward as now it's just not noticable.....I could see how I never noticed that before.

 

[spiderserie4]

Hmmmm, mine (87 Quad) is installed backward facing and over the scuttle lip, and not under it as I see here. Which is correct?

definitely placed under the cowl as mine and PaulW's photos show...this way the seal acts also as a sort of gasket between metal to metal contact (which is never a good idea!) and the cowl holds the seal firmly down all along its length....
should take 5 minutes to correct it

Oh and PaulW.......does your spider not have the side rubbers between cowl and fender? (not sure when these were introduced, tbh...)

 

[Paul W]

I saw your post earlier in another thread....no it does not have that side gasket and there is a HUGE gap there. Can't really clean down there easily.

Anyways, here's the final pictures.....you can see the seal is just off the hood at one point and up against it in most of it near the hood latch. It looks normal again, I guess I just never noticed it before.

Just got done rubbing the paint out and waxing it....

And my daily driver....it has a 5.2 liter V10!!!!

 

[ossodiseppia]

WOW, what a great shine! It looks terrific.