While my '04 Durango seems to run fine in rain and the car wash, I have witnessed what I would call too much water run down past my windshield and into the engine compartment while giving her a bath one day with the hood up.
I have read several posts on multiple forums from folks saying their Ds will either run rough or stall under such conditions.
At some point, Dodge came out with replacement cowl part number 55362453AK to rectify this issue. The list price on the new cowl is $140, but my local dealer dropped mine down to $112 plus tax when presented with internet quotes.
In comparing the old and new cowls, I see where the holes for the wiper arm stems have a taller "collar" than the old cowl. In addition, the seal at the back of the cowl that rests on the windshield on the old cowl was quite deteriorated. It appears that the major drain point is on the lowest corner of the driver side allowing the water to pour onto the inner fender well and ABS pump.
To remove the cowl, open the hood and remove the 5 plastic rivets and 2 torx (15 or 20) screws that secure it. The wipers are secured to their posts with 3 15mm bolts. Apply some type solvent the wiper bolts and let soak while you remove screws and rivets. Once the wiper bolts are off, gently rock them on their posts till they begin to loosen and come off. I did have to tap a bit on the drivers side with a hammer to loosen it.
Once the wipers are off, gently pry up on each end of the cowl from both sides to remove it from the clips.
Reverse the above process to install the new cowl. If the plastic rivets break, you can replace them with Dorman part number 799-135 panel retainers.
Don
I have read several posts on multiple forums from folks saying their Ds will either run rough or stall under such conditions.
At some point, Dodge came out with replacement cowl part number 55362453AK to rectify this issue. The list price on the new cowl is $140, but my local dealer dropped mine down to $112 plus tax when presented with internet quotes.
In comparing the old and new cowls, I see where the holes for the wiper arm stems have a taller "collar" than the old cowl. In addition, the seal at the back of the cowl that rests on the windshield on the old cowl was quite deteriorated. It appears that the major drain point is on the lowest corner of the driver side allowing the water to pour onto the inner fender well and ABS pump.
To remove the cowl, open the hood and remove the 5 plastic rivets and 2 torx (15 or 20) screws that secure it. The wipers are secured to their posts with 3 15mm bolts. Apply some type solvent the wiper bolts and let soak while you remove screws and rivets. Once the wiper bolts are off, gently rock them on their posts till they begin to loosen and come off. I did have to tap a bit on the drivers side with a hammer to loosen it.
Once the wipers are off, gently pry up on each end of the cowl from both sides to remove it from the clips.
Reverse the above process to install the new cowl. If the plastic rivets break, you can replace them with Dorman part number 799-135 panel retainers.
Don
