The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Cowl Vent

Hi Folks,

The cowl vent on my 41 is stuck. I can't see any reason that it won't pop up, but it won't. I put penetrating oil on the handle and arm joints. Any suggestions?

Jeff

My guess would be that someone put some sealer under it to keep it from leaking cold air in the winter time or leaking water. If you have not painted it yet perhaps it would help to fill the "void" around the vent with some type penetrating oil and see if it would loosen up whatever is under it. I have seen them stick real tight to the gasket put usually they will pop loose with a little effort. I vote someone sealed it up. Worse case senario would be to take the handle and little side bolts out. then take a small block of wood and tap or push up on the vent from underneath. I know its had to get to but it will beat taking a screwdriver and prying up from the outside damaging the metal. Soak it first.

Thanks for the reply. What do your suggest that I use to soak it?

Jeff

Sorry. I see that you suggested penetrating oil. Need to read more carefully!

Jeff

Heck, if you don't have to worry about the paint right now you could use diesel fuel, PBblaster,Kroil or even let it sit and soak with Marvel Mystery oil or whatever you normally use. Let us know what you find, and what you use. Always good to learn new things. If it is "sealed" it may require something to break it down. In that case go to sometype paint store and someone will tell you what to use if it happened to be say, gutter seal, or sometype caulking. You may just need to use paint thinner etc....I think you get the idea.

I doubt that penetrating oil will have an effect on any kind of sealer if that is the reason it won't come up. If the penetrating oil won't loosten it up you might try a small amount of acetone. I want to emphasize "small". Acetone will disolve any plastic & most rubber parts it comes into contact with. Acetone will also bugger up the paint so if you have a good paint job you probably want to forget I even mentioned it.

leave it closed... it beats having water dripping all over the inside of your cab everytime it gets wet.

I'm with Rusty.

I've heard about the water problems with cowl vents. I'm waiting on one to come in from ebay coz my old one is a little rusty around the edges. I have a new seal that i'll probly put a little weatherstrip adhesive on to keep it in place. If there's a problem beyond that...what's the solution to stopping the leaks? Really like that cowl vent in the summertime!

With a good seal & drain hose it shouldn't leak. My 38 doesn't leak.