HOW TO: Replace Hood Cowl

[MacUser]

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See the black plastic cap at the end of the wiper arm? To avoid unsightly marring, carefully pry it off. You'll need to do this on both the driver's side and the passenger's side wipers.

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I used a small slotted screwdriver to pry the cap loose.

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When the cap is removed, a small nut is visible.

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Remove the nut from the wiper spindle assembly with a 13mm socket and racket handle.

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13mm!

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Before I removed the wiper arm, I used blue painter's tape to mark the location of the wiper blades for future reference.

[MacUser]

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Next, I wiggled and jiggled the wiper arm until it finally came off its spindle. I've placed the new part near the base of the windshield for comparison.

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See the plastic grating covering the air plenum, just below the cowl? That needs to come off.

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I just gave the grating a swift jerk and it popped off. It's now temporarily resting on the radiator housing.

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Remove the old driver's side cowl piece. See the clips on the back? I removed them and put them on the new driver's side cowl piece. I couldn't figure out how to get the black clip out of its holder, so I had to pry it free. You might want to purchase new clips, but I didn't. Luckily, none of the clips broke.

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Since I didn't have a fine-tipped slotted screwdriver handy, I used a butter knife to remove the plastic screw caps that hold the passenger's side cowl piece in place. Once they were removed, it came right off.

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Because of the way the cowl pieces overlap, you should install the passenger's side piece first. Replace those two screw caps.

[MacUser]

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Just position the driver's side piece and pop the clips into place.

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Replace the air plenum cover. Don't forget to reinstall the wiper arms ... you'll need them later!

[MacUser]

I know ... this one was simple ... too simple. Oh well, I thought someone might be interested in seeing what's involved!

[1996 328ti]

Thanks.
The only thing I would add is to test fit both sides first before fastening.

[MacUser]

Thanks.
The only thing I would add is to test fit both sides first before fastening.

Test-fitting is for wimps! If I had test-fitted the parts, I would have discovered the passenger side had to go on first BEFORE I fastened down the driver side and where would the fun in THAT be? I'll always remember the passenger side goes on first because I have the remove and refit the drivers side!

OK, seriously, once I had the two pieces installed, I adjusted the pieces because there was a big gap in the center and one piece was higher than the other. There was enough play in the fasteners/clips that the final alignment could be done while the pieces are still attached.


Greg

[1996 328ti]

Test-fitting is for wimps! If I had test-fitted the parts, I would have discovered the passenger side had to go on first BEFORE I fastened down the driver side and where would the fun in THAT be? I'll always remember the passenger side goes on first because I have the remove and refit the drivers side!

OK, seriously, once I had the two pieces installed, I adjusted the pieces because there was a big gap in the center and one piece was higher than the other. There was enough play in the fasteners/clips that the final alignment could be done while the pieces are still attached.


GregEXACTLY what happened to me except I fastened one side and had to loosen it to bridge the gap.

[Will'sBimmer]

Cool write-up man. My cowl has started to fall apart where it meets the windshield. I have been thinking of replacing them. Thanks for the write-up I think I will go buy a new set now and install them later this week.

[dguzzardo22]

were can i buy a new cowl?

[cooljess76]

were can i buy a new cowl?
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showpost.php?p=241049&postcount=3

[Shellback]

The blue tape was a great tip. Wish I had done it. I just eyeballed the wipers back on and discovered later on they were resting too low. Every time I opened the hood, it would scrape the wiper arm. Great write up.

[MacUser]

Thanks!

[roadrash]

Did you reuse the 2 plastic screw caps on the passenger side? I can't find them listed on the diagram at realoem.com (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CG73&mospid=47506&btnr=51_2213&hg=51&fg=20) but I would expect them to not match the new black cowl parts.

Also, 7 clips/clamps are called for, but are the grommets needed also?

BTW, these are the part numbers....
51711960843 - Covering left (1)
51711960844 - Covering right (1)
51718108613 - Clamp (7)
51138124389 - Grommet (7)

[MacUser]

I reused everything I could. Surprisingly, I found the screw caps were not particularly faded, but YMMV!

[roadrash]

So, the screw caps didn't come with the cowl and you re-used the old ones?

If they don't match closely enough, I'm sure I can find some way to darken the caps enough to "match." I'm thinking I might order just a couple of grommets ($1.07 ea.), but go ahead and get all 7 clips ($.25 ea.).

[MacUser]

Now that you mention it, I'm not sure whether new ones came with the cowl pieces. If it did come with new screw caps, that would explain the color match.

[roadrash]

Gotcha... I'll just figure it out when the order comes in, then report back here for future reference. :-)

[roadrash]

I just did this and wanted to add a few notes:

The plastic grating covering the air plenum should be left on as long as possible. This will prevent nuts/washers/etc. from the wiper arms from falling into the vent system. Yes, I did.
I could have reused all of the clips, but went ahead and installed the new ones since I'd already purchased them. However, there was one weird square-shaped pin that I reused. Maybe that was unique to my car, I dunno. If you see it you'll know what I mean, if you don't see it, it's not an issue for you.
When you install the new cowl parts, be sure to check the outside edges and make sure that the vertical rubber window weatherstripping is ON TOP OF the cowl parts.
I also reused the round plastic screw-on caps on the passenger side. The color difference wasn't glaring, but I'll check it later just to be sure. I might add some Forever Black if it's noticeable.
Total time was about 1:30, but that includes installing cabin air filters and figuring out a way to make the e-bay filters work (and changing clothes once I realized that I was going to get dirtier than planned due to the unforeseen air filter installation). To do just the cowling shouldn't take more than about 30 minutes.

[woh]

thanks for the write up and comments by others.

Easy yes, but the write up makes it easier yet and quicker.

[47driver]

Just did this. Thanks for the write up.

[e24l6]

need to do this when the snow melts...good writeup!

[FLJayson318]

Hey guys, home for summer doing some fixing up.
does anyone know which one it is on this page? http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=searchCatalogOEM&siteid=214672 . btw i have a 95(i just dont know why id select 4 door)
thanks in advance

[Ulysses]

Thanks this is on the "to do" list as the current cowels are totally shot and falling apart.