Refer to http://www.avian.org/~hobbit/pix/cowlgutter.jpg for the visual. I had been hearing *water* sloshing around in this area when driving or even just rocking the car, and took things apart this afternoon to investigate. Long story short: those two drain holes were *completely* plugged with organic matter, and there was about an inch of standing water in the whole cowl piece that just wasn't going anywhere. It was totally disgusting, like a little pond with a mucky bottom right there under my hood. As soon as I dug my finger around in there and pulled out a wad of brown goo, all the water on one side drained out behind the front wheel as it's supposed to, and then the same on the other side. . Bottom line: it's worth pulling the wipers and plastic air baffle off every so often and cleaning out that black metal "rain gutter" piece under there. It does a very good job at keeping water and crud off the back of the engine, but apparently those holes aren't quite enough to keep it working right forever -- just like any other gutter, it needs periodic cleanout. With all the rain, pollen, and bits of trees we've had falling around here this spring, it was evidently just too much at once. . _H*
D'oh! I too have heard the water sloshing around after wash jobs . . . and I live in an urban forest here in Sacramento. Guess what I am doing this weekend. :mellow: Any "how to" list to follow?
http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/TIS/...2ye/x040001.pdf the first page may help; you don't need to disassemble the wiper assembly, but after removing it the 7 9mm bolts for the cowl gutter are fairly obvious. . _H*
Thanks hobbit! If it takes that much effort to gain access to the Mosquito Farm, I'll have to see if I can modify in an access port so I can reach the drains with a vacuum tube for clearing the clogs. I heard the sloshing within the first six months of ownership. My Mosquito Farm swamp must be breeding mosquitos the size of hummingbirds by now. Sounds like a rare Toyota design flaw.
Thanks for the heads up. This is a great site! Where I live the live oak leaves get into every crack and crevice. I know this will be a normal maintenance check for me.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Jun 15 2006, 10:18 PM) [snapback]272000[/snapback]</div> This looks like a problem that many will experience over time. I wanted to confirm that you do indeed have to remove the wiper arms (steps 1,2) but not disassemble the motor and link assemblies? Tnx, glenk
Thank you for the information. I haven't had the problem but I thought I was just being too persnickety; as when I wash my car I clean under the hood also. I didn't even know those were drain holes. Kathleen