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Windshield cowling replacement..

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Old Jan 30, 2011 | 03:10 PM
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Default Windshield cowling replacement..

I had the windshield cowling replaced twice on my 08. A friend of mine who has a 08 now has to have his replaced. The other day I was in at a dealer and a fellow with a 08 was just leaving. He had just had his windshield replaced because when he was in for the cowling replacement the dealer broke it.. (how does one do that!)

So, that is 3 2008 coupes that I know of that have had an issue with the windshield cowling.. is this a problem with just the 08’s or have others also had this issue.. something to look forward to again?
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Old Jan 30, 2011 | 03:25 PM
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What was the problem that necessitated the cowling to be replaced?
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Old Jan 30, 2011 | 03:31 PM
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Please describe the "cowling" in more detail.
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Old Jan 30, 2011 | 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by TLTONEY
What was the problem that necessitated the cowling to be replaced?
While driving along at speeds of 50+, the cowling would vibrate against the lower section of the windshield. Sounded like someone beating a drum. Had to tape the cowling to the windshield in order to stop it from vibrating against the windshield.
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Old Jan 30, 2011 | 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by GSXR K6 1K
Please describe the "cowling" in more detail.
I am referring to the black plastic piece that runs the width of the windshield, located on the bottom of the windshield
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Old Jan 30, 2011 | 04:57 PM
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Yeah, I had mine replaced, 2008 also, at B & B. According to the Service Manager it is moderately common for the cowling to "warp" slightly (particularly in hotter climates) and cause a helicopter noise at freeway speeds from air/vibration. He indicated that new Malibus and some trucks also have the problem (truck problem is on an upper windshield mold).

Mine was replaced under warranty. But if it happens again AND I'm out of warranty, I'll probably place a SMALL bead of windshield sealant along the upper edge of the cowling where it meets the windshield....according to the SM, this is done on out of warranty cars when complaints come from owners who do not want to pay the labor/part cost. ......cheap, easy fix.
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Old Jan 30, 2011 | 04:58 PM
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My '07 did this. Ran a bead of silicone sealer under the edge of the cowling - stopped the buzz.

PL Brand
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Old Jan 30, 2011 | 05:37 PM
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@ RnLi.. curious.. "highlands".. community in Las Sendas?
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Old Jan 30, 2011 | 05:50 PM
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I've replaced my cowling but not due to the problems associated with flapping or noise at speed. The cowling is made up of two dissimilar plastics/rubber. The edge that runs along the windshield is a bit softer then the rest and where the two are bonded split on mine. I tried rebonding with different type epoxy, glue etc but it did not look good or hold. The cowling was cheap and easy enough to replace so I did.
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Old Feb 1, 2011 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by azcanuk
@ RnLi.. curious.. "highlands".. community in Las Sendas?
No, east of that. The highlands designation is done with a touch of humor. The old time residents of this area sometime tend to be snobby and think of it as Scottsdale/Paradise Valley. They have used that tag for about 40-50 years.
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Old Feb 1, 2011 | 09:35 PM
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Sounds like a similar situation that I have and questioned in this thread. Will add this to the list of things to take care of while still under warranty. Thought mine had gone away, until the other day driving home I heard that darn "humming" again.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ea-80-mph.html
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Old Feb 1, 2011 | 10:44 PM
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Default Same problem..

Originally Posted by WickedQuik
Sounds like a similar situation that I have and questioned in this thread. Will add this to the list of things to take care of while still under warranty. Thought mine had gone away, until the other day driving home I heard that darn "humming" again.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ea-80-mph.html
Yes, the other thread is also this issue. Had the lower cowling replaced twice. When it happened the second time we were about 600 miles from home, taped it to the windshield and drove the baby straight to the dealer when got home.

So GM, why is this such an issue, seems to be widespread in the 07 & 08 year models..
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 12:10 AM
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Never heard of this problem.

I probably can't hear it over my loud radio and louder exhaust though.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 12:49 AM
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I had the cowl trim replaced about six weeks ago on my 08 coupe with 35k. At 65-70 mph I would get a vibration sound on the windshield cowl. To test this, I taped the cowl trim to the windshield and drove the car, the vibration stopped. Dealer replaced it 3 days before the 3 yr. bumper to bumper warranty expired.

The rubber seal on the cowl gets deformed and lifts off the windshield. The combination of wind and air flow at freeway speeds will cause the cowl trim to vibrate. Two fixes: 1. replace cowl 2. apply clear sealant between cowl and windshield.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by plbrand
My '07 did this. Ran a bead of silicone sealer under the edge of the cowling - stopped the buzz.

PL Brand
Did the same thing on my 2009. Dang thing would never do it when it visited the dealer. Amazing amount of loud buzzing vibration! Bead of silicone did the trick.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 11:21 AM
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I have a 2008 that has had 2 cracked windsheilds replaced. I still have the original factory cowling and it has never made a sound before or after the new windsheilds.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 11:28 AM
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It's actually fairly easy to crack a windshield. If you use any tool and pry against the glass to remove something like the cowling, it will crack and it feels like you didn't do anything to it at all. Saw this on my old car.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 08:09 PM
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I had to replace mine last year because of flapping. Wasn't the best of weekends since a road gator also took out my bumper. (Cowl was flapping before the gator hit).
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Old Feb 3, 2011 | 01:04 PM
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My 2009 had the same issue. Black electrical tape, works great, nobody notices.
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Old Feb 3, 2011 | 10:15 PM
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My of 08 Vert is doing it now and dealer had to order the parts. Parts are in just waiting on temp, to rise a little before installing. When it's cold and windy, sounds like a 1,000,000 hornets going crazy!
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