Hi, I am still on with the valley hose replacement and after hours of trying to remove parts, I think I need to remove the strut cross braces, just so I can get my "not so large" hands into the very small space to remove the throttle body elbow.
To get the cross braces out, the windshield vent screen (plastic cover at the bottom of the windshield / under the wipers) neds to come off.
I have looked in the shop manual and the details are sparse, before I go and break all the plastic fittings/clips, anyone have advice as to how to remove? There is only one obvious/visible clip, it is right in the middle, that I can see is a "pull straight up" release. The other clips, I have no idea how to release. Any advice is welcome.....

 

I lost that center clip when I pulled the cowl out. It landed somewhere down on the exhaust, so I ended up with a burning plastic smell for a long time.
I don’t recall other clips. My cowl was held down by that black sticky rubber sealer stuff. Started at one side and slowly worked it up.

 

They are tricky to release but they are all pull straight up clips. I recommend getting a plastic trim tool in there to help. Here's a pic of the underside so you can see all three clips.

 

Thanks so much, a picture is worth a thousand words !! I can see the middle one but not the other two.
Nothing at either end ? It sure feels like it is secured

 

Thanks for the reply. Hoping I dont drop any plastic (or break the fasteners)

 

As I recall, nope. It's usually just well seated. Be gentle and lift with firm pressure and you should be fine.

 

I posted some pictures that could help in the following post:

Windscreen washer pipe leak sorted. 2010XK
(XK / XKR ( X150 ))
Good Afternoon Forum,

Sharing my little success:
May help another another diyer.

Left hand windscreen washer didn't work, right side ok.

Removed the rubber pipe from its elbow on the cowl...
Apr 28, 2024 06:04 PM by Spurge

I am hoping that was a link I pasted!

 

Nope. Try this:

Windscreen washer pipe leak

 

Thanks for the help. Off I go to remove it, with more confidence than yesterday!
And, I will be trying to remove the gray now I read about the plastic refinishing !!

 

I don't see why you would need to remove the thing. My hands are not small and I've done 4.2 intake installs and removals many times. Although NOT fun, it wasn't not-doable.

 

Thanks to all, I have managed to get the windshield cowl off, allowing me to remove the strut tower brace on the RHS. This opened up the space to remove the EGR stripped bolt and thus the EGR assembly.
Cee Jay, obviously, I believe you when you say you managed without removing the windshiled cowl and brace, but wow, what a difference it made in terms of access (removing te brace).

The cowl was really stubborn, as everyone stated, it really is only three retaining plastic stud/pins, the black sticky goop and then the channel. I heated the cowl with a heat gun to soften the goop and that gave me a much easier removal of the cowl.
Being in Canada in March and April with sub-freezing temperatures, I feel it was needed. Maybe in the warmer climes not so much so.
Hope my feedback helps a few others along the way.