bloc
SILVER Star
That’s the primary reason I won’t consider installing a deflector.. secondary is when the cowl is in good shape and installed correctly this isn’t an issue.
Cowl part# help please, for the passenger foot well leak
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That’s the primary reason I won’t consider installing a deflector.. secondary is when the cowl is in good shape and installed correctly this isn’t an issue.
New foam was sufficient for me, just the section above the airbox. I got some foam weatherstripping at ACE that said it was good for wet environments. It ended up being slightly larger than the old foam, but worked fine. It passed a hose test, and several days of heavy rain.
777Gage
SILVER Star
Hello,
Sorry I don't have a pic other than the one I posted - but I will attempt to describe how I did it.
YES, I replaced all the OEM foam on the cowl as others have done, I then test fit the deflector in place on the passenger side intake and marked where it would come into contact with the intake molding. Then I used a 1 inch wide/tall strip of expanding foam (in the pic it isn't expanded yet) and doubled it up (for 2 inch thickness) to "elevate" the deflector above the OEM intake housing, That way if it ever retracts/shrinks it would still have at least 1inch clearance. I only did the front side (in the pic) facing towards the front of the LC - not the whole air intake box, to give adequate clearance for unobstructed air around the rest of the box. (I hope this make sense?)
I didn't notice any measurable decrease in airflow, but could there be, absolutely. I just didn't notice any. AC still works like it did prior.
I got the idea from another member testing a similar fix on another "cowl leak" thread, just added my own idea/research on keeping the deflector enough above the intake box for airflow. And @bloc is correct, with new foam you shouldn't need to also put the deflector, I just figured since I'm in here, I'd try the deflector idea and see if that and the OEM cowl foam replacement took care of the issue 100% and it did. But again, it's not necessary. It was simple enough to reverse if it became an issue.
@bloc and @CharlieS really know a LOT more about these LC200's than I do, I'm following their leads on most of my DIY's
Hope this helps and clarifies my post
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I ordered a cowl from Toyota and it solved my water issues. It's for a 08 LC. I believe it'll work up to 2013. Receipt with part#. Good luck
Not sure I have more to add as I posted a bunch on the other thread.
Short version. I had the leak, it would be random, I tried new foam, weather stripping, a “hood”. None of it worked until I just replaced the cowl. I’m due another windshield and will remove the cowl before I take it to the glass shop.
It’s an easy install if you just take your time and make sure the tabs on the cowl line up with the slots on the truck and don’t break the tabs off.
Short version. I had the leak, it would be random, I tried new foam, weather stripping, a “hood”. None of it worked until I just replaced the cowl. I’m due another windshield and will remove the cowl before I take it to the glass shop.
It’s an easy install if you just take your time and make sure the tabs on the cowl line up with the slots on the truck and don’t break the tabs off.
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Are there bolts or does the cowl just pull out? Couldn’t really find a video on this.
There are some threads that detail it, but essentially you remove the windshield wipers and then there are two plastic bolt/clips (one on each side) and then it is all clips. Pull towards the front of the vehicle to release.
Leak
So I removed my cowl earlier today. Water is definitely coming through the cabin filter vent because there is really no where else water can be coming from. I used a squirt bottle and poured a little water into that area and sure enough it drips through to the floor like what I experience in a...
forum.ih8mud.com
Thanks man. That’s very helpful. Will tackle this hopefully soon
Can anyone confirm the part number for a 2013 LX? I think I found it at 55708-60131 - super expensive though. I read another thread that the cheaper toyota part 55708-60091 might work but it won't connect to the engine surrounds correctly? Has anyone made it work?
When my windshield was broken/replaced by a body shop my right side washer came back working poorly and the whole cowl was a bit off. So I pulled it apart today and it had been mangled badly and in two pieces. I previously did the foam seals and now I'm gluing it back together. That could work for a bit but it is time to replace!
When my windshield was broken/replaced by a body shop my right side washer came back working poorly and the whole cowl was a bit off. So I pulled it apart today and it had been mangled badly and in two pieces. I previously did the foam seals and now I'm gluing it back together. That could work for a bit but it is time to replace!
55708-60131 shows a production date range from 01/2012 to 09/2015.
Yeah, it's pricey. $776.11 at lexuspartsnow.com
Yeah, it's pricey. $776.11 at lexuspartsnow.com
Thanks. The one I glued together wasn't happy going back in tonight. Fitment is terrible. It'll do until the new one arrives. Found it for just under $700 with free shipping out of Florida of all places - Lexus of Wesley Chapel.
Respectfully have to disagree. A proper shaped and installed deflector should let enough air by, get around the effectively one barrier seal design of the cowl which sooner or later will deteriorate and for those who mostly have internal recirculation on is not a major setback anyways.
Replying to myself! Scratch that - they won't ship the cowl saying it is too big and likely to get damaged. I'll try lexuspartsnow as mentioned above. My local dealer wants over $900.
So, now that you’re several months removed and presumably have been through some rain/weather, is this still holding? I’ve been on some other “cowl leak” threads and am considering putting in a DIY deflector. My first concern is AC performance and not wanting to over work the AC fan and system. I’m in Texas, where ice cold AC is a must but we get some wild thunder storms! Second concern is how to fix the deflector to the top of the intake. Any thoughts there? Is yours just sitting on the intake freely or did you somehow secure it?
What a pain in the neck defect! It seems like a cowl design destined to fail!
Thanks for all of the good thoughts on this thread!
FWIW I put a new cowl in and all is now good - haven't seen any leaks. The old cowl had been mangled by windshield installers so it wasn't a secure fit. No wonder it wasn't working and routing water properly. I didn't make a deflector. I did relocate the wire harness that's under the cowl.
I’ve commented in this thread and others. I’ve tried all kinds of things. The only thing I’ve found to work is to get a new Cowl.
I’m on my 4th windshield and 3rd cowl.
Good point. Mine would leak no matter what when it was parked nose down (even slightly) in a long drenching rain and with wet heavy snow no matter if nose down or not.
777Gage
SILVER Star
Mine has been good since I fixed it. Not a single issue. I'm not sure how I attached it.....I'll look at my pics and see if I find it.
We did just get our first windshield break and next week will see how everything looks underneath when it gets replaced. My insurance is covering the OEM glass and we are trying to get a new cowl thrown in also.
Ok, I got after it yesterday and decided to make/install a deflector. The whole thing cost $15 from Home Depot and took less than an hour to install (which included some tinkering under the hood). I've included pics that chronical what I did, but in short:
Have a good one!
- I included a pic of the intake reservoir as a before picture. Note that I had already moved the wiring harness to the underside of the reservoir like others had recommended (doing that did seem to decrease leak flow, but it did not eliminate them).
- I purchased a sheet of coroplast from Home Depot for $7.99. Why coroplast? I had seen someone else used it for a deflector, and after looking around Home Depot for a bit, it seemed like this was the best option because I could cut and mold it pretty easily. It is also heat tolerant (it ignites at 600 degrees F), so it can last under the hood in the hot Texas sun. You can see in one of the pictures how I cut and fashioned the coroplast (note the tail piece that extends out).
- I included another pic of the intake reservoir just before installation. Note that I installed some stainless steel screws/nuts on the front of the reservoir. The point of these screws is to create a gap between the deflector and the reservoir so air can get in the reservoir. Also, note the zip tie hanging off the superfluous "doohickey." I wanted to attach the deflector to the vehicle so it doesn't move over time, and I didn't want to use tape, which will leave a mess and be worthless over time. After brainstorming, I decided to leave a tail on the coroplast that I could zip tie to the doohickey. Easy peasy lemon squeezey.
- The last picture shows the deflector as installed. Securing the tail to the doohickey allowed me to angle the deflector downward, which I assume will allow water to easily funnel past the reservoir and disburse elsewhere. Also, securing it at an angle and allowing the bottom to rest on the screws allows air to get into the reservoir through the gaps created in front and sides of the deflector.
- I tested the AC for quite a while with the deflector off and on. I saw no difference in air flow while in recirculation mode (which is to be expected). However, I did notice a slight difference in fresh air mode. The air flow in fresh air mode decreases slightly when the deflector is in place. It wasn't a very noticeable decrease in flow (and it blows plenty hard on full fan mode), but a decrease nonetheless. I could also tell that there was a good deal of suction at the intake reservoir. Not enough to pull the deflector into the reservoir, but it was meaningful/noticeable. I don't know if this will hamper AC performance going forward (or over burden the AC unit), but I leave it in recirculation mode regardless and will continue to do so going forward.
- I then replaced the cowl and closed the hood and hit the LC with the hose. I simulated a full blown turd-floater and did my best to flood every aspect of the windshield, cowl and intake with water. I did this for about 5 or so minutes. Everything inside was bone dry afterwards, so that's a good initial sign.
Have a good one!
