Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    672

    Windshield cowl / rain tray question

    My rain tray has some cracks in the edge that seals the bottom of the windshield. It is brittle from the dry rot, but it hasn't started chipping off like other people have reported. Can anyone tell me how urgently i need to replace this? I live in Seattle, so needless to say it rains a lot here. More specifically, is water going to leak onto important, dry components beneath the tray? I read somewhere that there is a seal below the tray, and it is meant to keep water out. Basically i want to know if I should buy a new one stat, or if i can take my time while I look for a good local deal and work on other parts of the car.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Kitchener, ON
    Posts
    6,036
    i would replace it... cheap insurance. buy a new one - any used replacements will most likely be old and brittle too.
    peter

    2004 330i ZHP
    2005 330iT ZHP
    2010 328iT M Sport

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    22841
    Posts
    9,921
    Replace the main cowl and the 2 side pieces. ECStuning sells it as a kit.

    His - 2004 Imola Red / Alcantara 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

    Her's - 2005 Black Sapphire Metallic / Black Leather 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Jacksonville, Florida
    Posts
    2,202
    Just replace it. It's not that expensive and a fresh cowl makes your car look so much cleaner.
    2005 Jet Black 6MT ZHP "Family First"
    ~Rob~

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Charleston SC
    Posts
    6,149
    They are very brittle. Most of the attachment clips will break off when removing the old one so a used one isn't really an option. Even the new ones are pretty brittle. Several tabs broke off on my brand new one when they took it off to replace the windshield. Like Vas said the they sell a kit with the 2 side pieces if you want to freshen up everything but they aren't necessary.
    Dinan CAI &Throttle body, ESS Tuning TS2, Bimmerbrakes gen3 headers, UUC SSK & DSSR. Achilles oil pump, VAC oil pan baffle
    M3 Motor mounts, UUC Trans mounts, Modified clutch style LSD 3.15, TMS front subframe reinforcement, Koni Yellow sports,
    H&R sport springs,
    UUC sway bars, BMW Perf. Rotors, UUC SS brake lines, Hawk HPS pads, CSL replica wheels,
    Rotora strut bar, FXR HID conversion, M3 Mirror conversion, BSW stage 1 speakers

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    672
    Hmm ok. Thanks for the input. I will take a look at those side pieces and see if I need to replace them as well. But can someone tell me if water getting under the cowl can damage anything, and what?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    588
    The cowl is not a water-tight seal, so some cracking isn't going to hurt anything--your issues are just asthetic. Do spend the $70 to replace it--as mentioned, it'll look soooo much better.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Socal
    Posts
    1,739
    it's not an emergency. you can take your time. mines been broken forever. I have the replacement, but too lazy to replace lol

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    22841
    Posts
    9,921
    Keep in mind the cost of the cowl has been going up in price.

    His - 2004 Imola Red / Alcantara 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

    Her's - 2005 Black Sapphire Metallic / Black Leather 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    672
    Quote Originally Posted by Reasoned1 View Post
    The cowl is not a water-tight seal, so some cracking isn't going to hurt anything--your issues are just asthetic. Do spend the $70 to replace it--as mentioned, it'll look soooo much better.
    Ok, this is the confirmation I needed. I will be replacing it, but I will just put it on the low priority list. Got more important problems to worry about rn

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