51 13 115 Removing and installing/replacing cowl panel cover

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove left/right WIPER ARM
Remove MICROFILTER HOUSING

IMPORTANT: Danger of water ingress via blower into the vehicle interior if cowl panel cover is not correctly fitted.

Build date up to approx. 09/2004:

Butyl tape must be fitted on the left and right. Sealing foam must be applied to the cowl panel cover (see Fig 2 and Fig 3).

Version after about 09/2004:

Only the sealing strip must be applied to the cowl panel sheet metal flange (see Fig 4).

Release edge protection (1).

Remove cowl panel cover (2) in upwards direction.

Installation note:

Pay attention to the correct seating of the retaining strip (3) at the windscreen (4); if necessary, press the retaining strip (3) onto the windscreen (4).

If the retaining strip (3) no longer can be correctly seated, it must be replaced.

The cowl panel cover (2) must be clipped into the retaining strip (3) correctly.

The sealing lip (5) must make contact with the windscreen (4) along its entire length.

If the sealing lip (5) is faulty, the cowl panel cover (2) must be replaced.

Build date up to 09/2004 with butyl tape:

Installation note:

If need be, correctly engage the cover (2) on the left and right against the resistance of the butyl tape in the retaining strip (water ingress).

Fig 1: Locating Sealing Lip

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Build date up to approx. 09/2004:

Installation note:

On versions with cut-out (1) on flange (2), butyl tape (3) must be fitted on left and right (to stop water ingress).

Lay two lengths of 6 mm dia.* round butyl tape one over the other and form into a trapezium shape so that a butyl bead with length "A" and thickness "B" is created.

A = 66 ± 2 mm

B = 12 mm

The butyl tape (3)* must be stuck on up to the adhesive bead of the windscreen.

Fig 2: Identifying Butyl Tape And Flange

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If need be, push butyl tape (3)* between the retaining strip and the adhesive bead of the windscreen.

* Sourcing reference: BMW Parts Department

NOTE: If the clamp (4) has been fitted up to five times, the RETAINING STRIP AT THE WINDSCREEN and the cowl panel cover have to be replaced.

Installation note:

For the version with recess at the flange (see Fig 2), the sealing foam (1) has to be fitted at the cowl panel cover (2) (water ingress).

The guide (3) must audibly snap into the wiper console.

The guide (3) must not be damaged (water ingress).

Fig 3: Identifying Cowl Panel Cover, Sealing Foam And Guide

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version after about 09/2004:

Installation note:

For the version without recess at the flange (see Fig 2), the sealing foam and trapezoidal butyl tape will not be fitted. (water ingress).

Sealing foam and trapezoidal butyl tape can be fitted up to version 11/2004.

If need be, remove the trapezoidal butyl tape and sealing foam from the cowl panel cover or the body.

Fig 4: Identifying Sealing Strip And Transmission Cross-Member

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

The sealing strip (1) at the transmission cross-member (2) must be installed. (water ingress).

If need be, retrofit the sealing strip (1).