Climbing the learning curve for new owner of Crossfire, following the recommendations shared on this forum.
Removed the wiper arms, removed the cowl cover, cleaned out the debris, cleared the drain tubes, will install new wiper grommets after enlarging driver side opening.
Two questions I am unable to find info about on the forum (maybe my limited search experience).

ONE: The black rubber "gasket" over the bottom edge of the windshield is partially loose and distorted. Maintenance history indicates the car had its windshield replaced May 2006, appears that it may have been jammed up when cowl cover was reinstalled. The rubber is very stiff and not likely to return to its original shape. Is a replacement available? Could a replacement be silicone glued in place after the fact, or should this have been bedded in as the windshield was installed. In its present state, it prevents the cowl cover from seating in the proper location to the wiper shaft. At a minimum I anticipate having to remove and clean it, soften with silicone, reshape with select trimming and maybe heat, then glue in place a section at a time. Better suggestions?

TWO: During the cleaning, noticed that the flapper door leading to the heater/ac fan has a surface which appears to be cork? which is deteriorating. When first observed, it was in the closed position (recirculating I assume). Touched it a couple times, then it seemed to come loose and move freely. Now operates open and closed in synch with fan setting for normal and recirculating, fan runs freely. Replacing would likely involve fan removal from inside the cabin. Wondering whether silicone applied to the cork would be a suitable short term life extender? How would you rate the difficulty of removing, resurfacing, and replacing this part?

Thanks for the info and advice past, present, future.

 

The bottom edge of the windshield gasket on both my cars will slip off when I remove the plastic cowl. Seems like it has never completely come off, but I have to slip it back up into place before placing the cowl back. I would say to remove it and try to get it back to original shape and then press it back up where it belongs. If the windshield had been replaced I would hope that the new sealing adhesive has not been over applied and getting in the way of that rubber gasket.

As to the AC air inlet door I do not recall a cork gasket on mine. I could be wrong, just don't recall seeing one. I could understand a cork gasket getting "stuck" and holding that door closed. Silicone grease on the gasket surface may prevent it from sticking.

 

The rubber gasket slips onto the cowl before assembling the cowl. It just sits against the windshield and is not attached to it.

 

I don't know if this will work or not. You can try to get the gasket back in shape by letting it soak in a tub of warm soapy water to make it pliable.
Try Dawn dish washing liquid for the soapy water.
I just had my windshield replaced and before I put the rubber piece on the bottom I wiped the inside and outside with McGuire's Ultimate Black.
If you're worried about it slipping you could put a drop of Permatex Black adhesive sealant RTV in the center and on each corner to hold it.
I just put mine on the windshield and let the cowl push it in place.
By the way, our cars only came with 1 grommet for the wiper arms.
I don't know if this seal fits a Crossfire and you will have to confirm this part is for the lower windshield seal with a Mercedes dealer.
Here's a link to what I found when I searched:
https://mbparts.mbusa.com/oem-parts/...JjaCBSZXN1bHRz

 

Spent most of today with the Crossfire and wanted to share thanks and updates:
zip439 -- You were right on target re over application of sealant. Almost like surgery to separate the gasket from the sealant at various points totaling about half the length.
Onehundred80 -- Knowing that the gasket was supposed to move freely and held in place only by cowl cover gave me the confidence to pull on the rubber and cut the sealant.
M60A3Driver -- Followed your steps re hot soapy water, cleaned grove thoroughly with toothbrush, picked and peeled off sealant with putty knife and fingernails. Managed to remove 98% of sealant, will have another go on one spot that will show on top edge. Kinks have eased out to where I should be able to put it in place, may need a couple dabs of adhesive to hold it while positioning the cowl.

New problem is that the windshield is now not 100% sealed along bottom edge. Putty knife easily slides past sealant at location of VIN tag, maybe others. Based on what I have learned this far, I'm reluctant to take it to a glass shop. Existing sealant is black, but what is the material?

Re the Flapper Door, turns out it wasn't cork, just some kind of backing material for what seems to be disintegrated foam. Cleaned off the balance of crumbly foam with a brush and my fingers, don't think a little air leak will be a problem. Vacuumed everything again, blew out the air ducts, replaced the cabin air filter, replaced the underdash panel (correctly, with two hooks engaged). After all the success, discovered that the flapper door is not functioning completely correctly. With fan on high, normal heat settings, activating "recirculating" button moves the flapper to closed. But deactivating the "recirculating" button does not cause the door to open. If nudged by hand from the cowl side, the door seems to overcome a catch, then open. I have sprayed the door and hinge with silicone spray and am hoping patience will be rewarded. Here in Iowa, not planning this to be a winter driver needing defrost/defog, but fresh air in the summer might be nice. Once I close the cowl, I won't know what is happening. I expect that searching fan replacement might give me some idea how to reach this area from inside the car. After replacing the cabin air filter, I'm not really looking for another opportunity to stretch an old body while standing on my head.

Thanks again, guys.

 

I sure like how you put your posts into paragraphs. I wish everyone would be that literate.

Easiest to read posts one will find on here.

 

Disregard, posted to wrong person

 

Do you happen to have a picture of your flapper door? I'm just curious about the backing material.
It's not a big deal if you don't. Thanks.

 

Photos of the flapper door as requested. Texture is probably adhesive which held foam on backing (enhanced by 18 years of dirty air). Circles indicate holes in the metal or plastic door.
My first attempt at loading photos on this forum, so may be way too large. If so, will try again later.

 

Flapper door controlling input to heating/ac, located under cowl cover. Age has taken foam surface leaving only backing layer on metal or plastic door.
Third try? Think I may have it, limit photo to 800x600 pixels or less?
OBTW, if there are instructions for posting photos on this forum, please share a link. I can't seem to find anything beyond people posting that they can't post photos and others who can.

 

Thanks for the pictures! I appreciate it.
I actually found a pic of mine buried on my phone. I forgot that I took it for a post on FB.
The thing about posting pics on here is mainly no more than 10 per post and try to keep them a reasonable size. Also, if you quote someone who has pics in their post, delete the pics to save web space. I just found this out myself! LOL
Here's mine. Apparently I still have the foam but it looks like it's starting to go.

 

Your photo can be any size as the photo is automatically reduced to fill the screen when it is posted on the forum. I have never had to reduce the size of my photos which are all high definition shots.

To get over the 10 photo limit you can reserve a number of posts consecutively with your first one. Just put ‘Reserved’ on the posts you need and edit them when you need them.

 

Possible "WHOA!" moment, guys.
Attached 3 photos show:
1. The glass/cowl gasket installed on the glass with shorter leg on top side (labeled with "A" on tape).
2. The glass/cowl gasket installed on the glass with longer/rounded/thicker leg on top side (labeled "B" on tape).
3. Short section of gasket where the longer/rounded/thicker/leg was damaged, probably during my removal.
Before I removed the gasket, it was in the "A" position, which may have contributed to the longer leg getting caught in some of the sealant.
Research on possible replacement gaskets seems to indicate they are installed in the "B" position, which would appear to create a better seal.

Would appreciate feedback on whether A or B is correct, or did some tech in the mists of time just use what was on hand in his shop?

If I replace this in the B position, will the slight damage shown in photo 3 be of significant concern?

(M60A3Driver is that beautiful black cowl the result of the Mequiars or paint and Meguiars?)

 

The correct position should be "B". Look at my pics and see if you agree. This was the first time my cowl was removed.
By the way, I painted the cowl and Used McGuire's Ultra Black on all of the rubber and plastic pieces before I reassembled everything.
If you're on the fakebook Crossfire forum I have a bunch of posts of the work I did on my car. I'm Giovanni Pace on there. The pics are from a post I did on replacing the alarm siren.

 

is there any type of Barrier or Dam to keep water from rolling down windshield and into fan & cabin filter area. Yes all drain holes are cleaned out regularly Thanks in advance
Rich B

 

When the cowl is in place, it should route the water away from the blower motor opening.

 

Just a suggestion, since you have the cowl off you might want to add a screen over that opening - if your car isn't a daily driver, mice will nest in the fan. I used some 1/4" mesh to cover the hole, and hold it in place with self-tapping screws.

-Jerry

 

thanks. Will get on it 👍