My wiper arms would not come off by shaking the arm nor by tapping with a screw driver and mallet as recommended elsewhere. Had to delay the job until I got a decent wiper arm puller. These are not expensive and hassle free, parts don't go flying, and it worked great. Also, the wiper position is 24 mm from the tip to the cowl seal for the right (passenger side) wiper and 44 mm for the left (drivers side) wiper. Cleaning out the dirt after removing the old cowl was the biggest part of the job. While at cleaning, you may as well remove the flexible shields just below the ends of the windshield and get the dirt out from under there as well.
OEM Windshield Cowl now is 200 if you are lucky. Was thinking of getting an ebay one for like 45 but not sure if the quality will hold up -then again quite frankly the OEM is trash and designed to fail and fall apart if you just drive in the sun.
So what are the downside ms too having a bad cowl? Just curios. Thanks! Great to see someone that has gone in depth with the e46 chassis. It's helped me out a ton & influenced me to do my diy work on mine!
possible water leaks if it corrodes something there, most likely not since it should be painted there but if for some reason the bare metal is exposed somewhere underneath it then it can corrode.
Another reason is that water can migrate to the fuse box located under the hood on the driver's side next to the windshield. That area is supposed to be sealed with a gasket and torx bolts but at this age many lids are damaged.
Awesome tutorial mate, been a lurker on your channel for a while but enjoy all your vidoes. My car needs the window cowl replaced as well. Living in Australia and can't find one for a RHD car though :(, at least one for a good price that isn't too expensive on shipping.
Nice job. I also opted to replace the plastic trim by the abs unit. After replacing it, I found out that water leaks into the abs area. After washing the car, I was surprised with a significant amount of water. Is this normal. By the way it is an e46 m3 convertible.
My cabin filter has been getting wet after car wash, the weather stripping under hood seems good but my cowl seal is cracked like yours was. Will replacing this cowl prevent water from soaking my cabin filter? Or maybe I need to find and clean some drains?
Keep pushing in the middle of the arm as you see me doing in the video. There is a small metal washer kind of thing that keeps the arm in place and as you wiggle it, it will pop out. Thanks!
Hi, Would you mind giving a link for the product? I have a 2000 BMW 330ci so I'll need to get a different one for the coupe, but it would be handy to buy from the same company
nice! I need to do this too, mine is getting cracked slightly. another tip to keep it looking good longer is using meguiars #40. my uncle used it on his since he got the car and it still looks brand new!
Could the windshield cowl failure be the culprit for soaking the floor after rain? The sunroof gutter and drains have been checked. The doors vapor barrier have been sealed. Thanks.
There's a loud whistling coming directly from my disa, how can you tell if the disa is bad? I just replaced the ccv and checked boots. The flapper in the disa seems to be working properly.
Did you ever find your water leak Anthony? I noticed some wetness to the right of where a passenger's feet would be. My plastic cowl piece is trash but I'm sure there's problem more to it than that.
Why doesnt anyone teach how to replace the windshield trim. (not the cowl) the trim, the one that goes all the way up and on the sides. I just bought that from amazon and I don't know how to replace it.
Glad I'm not the only one who tried the cheap 25$ chinese lip fix - its atrocious, if you are wondering - just don't! I wish I'd bit the bullet and did it right the first time
why don't you have a heat shield under your hood? is it ok not to have that heat shield, or is it a good idea to make sure you have that to protect the paint on the hood? also, other ideas about diy, replacing the side pieces in the trunk, how to replace all those fluids you recommended we change when buying a new used e46 and replacing the fuel filter under the car.
These DIY videos of yours are timeless. 6 years after you posted this, it's helping me change mine. Thanks brother
For all of us who did not know anything about repairing any car until we watched your videos we really appreciate you.
Thank You Mark! Glad to help!
Yes I’d like to see videos on replacing weather stripping in 330ci e46 series 3 on all windows
same!
Seconded
Thank for the help. The complete job took me less than 45 mins which included replacement, clean the area, and test wipers afterwards.
Such a good video! Simple and to the point. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I like watching your videos!!! You are very easy to follow and comprehend
Thank You Gary!
My wiper arms would not come off by shaking the arm nor by tapping with a screw driver and mallet as recommended elsewhere. Had to delay the job until I got a decent wiper arm puller. These are not expensive and hassle free, parts don't go flying, and it worked great. Also, the wiper position is 24 mm from the tip to the cowl seal for the right (passenger side) wiper and 44 mm for the left (drivers side) wiper. Cleaning out the dirt after removing the old cowl was the biggest part of the job. While at cleaning, you may as well remove the flexible shields just below the ends of the windshield and get the dirt out from under there as well.
Got my cowl in today doing this tomorrow morning thanks for the video bro!
Looks like you may have needed a cabin filter replacement as well. Good video. THANKS!!
OEM Windshield Cowl now is 200 if you are lucky. Was thinking of getting an ebay one for like 45 but not sure if the quality will hold up -then again quite frankly the OEM is trash and designed to fail and fall apart if you just drive in the sun.
I have the E46 2001 modelled yes it has started to perish so really pleased that you have this 'how to' post, many thanks.
Thank you, very clear steps.
Great video as always, I've been a subscriber for 2 years now & learned so much from you. TKs so much!
So what are the downside ms too having a bad cowl? Just curios. Thanks! Great to see someone that has gone in depth with the e46 chassis. It's helped me out a ton & influenced me to do my diy work on mine!
+Fernando Ibarra Looks ;)
Just the looks, and possibility of water leaks.
possible water leaks if it corrodes something there, most likely not since it should be painted there but if for some reason the bare metal is exposed somewhere underneath it then it can corrode.
Another reason is that water can migrate to the fuse box located under the hood on the driver's side next to the windshield. That area is supposed to be sealed with a gasket and torx bolts but at this age many lids are damaged.
Nice vid and I think as long as u upload daily ur going to be alright with the 1k+ ppl following u now 👍👍👍
i love your channel, it has helped me a lot. keep making videos, also you should have shown when you replaced your headlights, that would be cool.
+Nesto P. I will be doing some more stuff to the headlights so I will make a video when I do it.
+ShopLifeTV thank you brother, keep up the outstanding work
be nice to see a good video about installing the angel eyes halo running lights.
Dude thanks so much your vids are the best! Cheers to u and ur gf! Please post more vids!!
Thank you soo much! I will !
Awesome tutorial mate, been a lurker on your channel for a while but enjoy all your vidoes. My car needs the window cowl replaced as well. Living in Australia and can't find one for a RHD car though :(, at least one for a good price that isn't too expensive on shipping.
+Zac Brahh thanks, and yea I am not too sure where to find a RHD one either, sorry man.
Shouldn't you mark the windshield wipers, so they fit back correctly in the right spot? Thanks
was wondering this too
Looks easy enough. Will have to get this swapped out as mine is looking rather second hand as well.
great videos! Do you have a DIY for replacing the windshield rubber seal ? thanks Lex
Thanks for the help, getting mine tomorrow.
Nice job. I also opted to replace the plastic trim by the abs unit. After replacing it, I found out that water leaks into the abs area. After washing the car, I was surprised with a significant amount of water. Is this normal. By the way it is an e46 m3 convertible.
I am ordering this part today to replace soon.
Get a simple Battery Terminal and Wiper Arm Puller - helps.
Very clear instructions Thanks!
Great tips! Thanks bro really appreciate it
Thanks for posting! Long live the S54!
My cabin filter has been getting wet after car wash, the weather stripping under hood seems good but my cowl seal is cracked like yours was. Will replacing this cowl prevent water from soaking my cabin filter? Or maybe I need to find and clean some drains?
Is it possible to just get the rubber seal that goes on it. where ?
Is there some kind of weather strip that goes on the cowl where it touches the windshield?
Cool! Never thought that would wear out like that.
I wish you had PDFs to go along with your videos 🤣
Hello my friend can you send me the link for the replacement cowl...
Thank you kindly. Have to replace mine today
I have the new cowl, removed the caps & nuts, but of course my wipers aren't budging....Any help, I don't want to break them? Great channel BTW
Keep pushing in the middle of the arm as you see me doing in the video. There is a small metal washer kind of thing that keeps the arm in place and as you wiggle it, it will pop out. Thanks!
Broo I like your videos just one thing put the link for the parts
Emanuel Vlaicu Acum o secundă
i get a little bit of water in the cabin filter when it's raining. Replacing the windshield cowl will fix this??
Nice tutoriai. Couldnt have been easier. Thanks
Hi,
Would you mind giving a link for the product?
I have a 2000 BMW 330ci so I'll need to get a different one for the coupe, but it would be handy to buy from the same company
nice! I need to do this too, mine is getting cracked slightly. another tip to keep it looking good longer is using meguiars #40. my uncle used it on his since he got the car and it still looks brand new!
+BarberKid Thanks for the tip, I will definitely be coating mine to make it last forever haha.
Can you do window trim and weather seals?
Did the cowl come with new pins or did they have to be ordered separately?
i believe he said they came with. if he didn't, i know that they do. so no need to order separately.
Okay this is a lot easier than on E39, the windshield wiper bolts need to be pry'ed off with a puller tool
I Cant seem to find one for Australian Models since the holes are on the left side any help?
Thank you very much for help!
Hi what's the OEM number of this part?
Once the windsheild cowl is removed, does it make it easier to access the rear spark plug and coil pack?
Take off the aircabin filter housing
Could the windshield cowl failure be the culprit for soaking the floor after rain? The sunroof gutter and drains have been checked. The doors vapor barrier have been sealed. Thanks.
Mines is doing this,did you figure it out?
Is it the same process for a bmw750 li
do you know where i can buy the cowl i cant find it on ebay or you can paste a link with the right cowl on ebay thanks
ecs tuning has them for like $70
exelent video
Thank you!!
There's a loud whistling coming directly from my disa, how can you tell if the disa is bad? I just replaced the ccv and checked boots. The flapper in the disa seems to be working properly.
+Joshua Moffett Did you replace the o-ring for the disa?
I took your advice and used the o-ring from the probe and it fit nicely. As you would expect, I'm getting lean on bank 1 and 2.
Is it the same process for an e46 with an m54 engine?
Yes it is
can water leak in the passenger side of your car lefted soaked be from a messed up cowl????
Did you ever find your water leak Anthony? I noticed some wetness to the right of where a passenger's feet would be. My plastic cowl piece is trash but I'm sure there's problem more to it than that.
UMepher Look up E46 sunroof leak.
Or does the cowl come with it
***You must remove the white retaining clip from the body (from the old cowl) or else it won’t fully clip in.
Lots of details missed in this one. Did not mark the wiper location or show the hardware for the wipers.
Thanks s
Why doesnt anyone teach how to replace the windshield trim. (not the cowl) the trim, the one that goes all the way up and on the sides. I just bought that from amazon and I don't know how to replace it.
Most people have had the windshields replaced by this age of the car so most companies use an aftermarket seal.
👍
I try to find on the ebay but I can not . How you say ? Cowl ?
Damn it I can't find anyone who sells the right hand side cowl for my bmw!!!!!!!!!!!!
#100%serious though 🤓
Just did mine...old cowl looked like broken spaghetti 🍝
Glad I'm not the only one who tried the cheap 25$ chinese lip fix - its atrocious, if you are wondering - just don't! I wish I'd bit the bullet and did it right the first time
why don't you have a heat shield under your hood? is it ok not to have that heat shield, or is it a good idea to make sure you have that to protect the paint on the hood?
also, other ideas about diy, replacing the side pieces in the trunk, how to replace all those fluids you recommended we change when buying a new used e46 and replacing the fuel filter under the car.
The heat shield is not that important, mine was torn when I had got the car so I removed it. And I appreciate the suggestions!
Does water go in the car if this bad