Unable to remove scuttle panel

[Nego2403]

The other day I was working on my Citroën C3 from 2016 and had to remove the scuttle panel but it was impossible to remove.
I removed the wiper arms and the two clips on each side of the windshield. I tried pulling the panel up but it didn't budge. The window is not the original one which came with the car so I'm suspecting that when the new window was installed that the scuttle panel was glued to the body with the window.

Would it be safe to put a razor blade between the windshield and the scuttle panel to free it from the glue? The only thing I can see which could be damaged is the wiring for the wiper motor.

Or is there some kind of clips holding the panel that I'm not aware of?

[GiveMeABreak]

There are 4 bolts holding it down - 2 on the outer edges of the scuttle and 2 near the centre. You didn't mention that you had removed these. Do NOT cut the seal between the windscreen and the body. The windscreen provides at least 45% structural protection for the cabin in a collision and anything upwards of 60% in a rollover. Weakening the seal will affect its ability to do its job.

[Nego2403]

Ohh yes I understand that. But I thought the panel was glued to the body of the car by mistake when the windshield was changed.

Are the bolts on the inside of the scuttle panel?
I didn't seem to find anything in there I must have overseen them. I'll take a better look next time I get to work on the car.

[GiveMeABreak]

They are accessible from the outside (engine bay), but may be covered by trim.

[Nego2403]

Do you have a diagram or picture showing the location of these. I have looked for 30 minutes now and can't find any sign of any bolt

[GiveMeABreak]

Have a look below. I have marked the 4 screws with red arrows. The top cross is the scuttle that separates in the middle into 2 halves. You have to slide these apart, but may have to remove the end parts first. What I can't be certain of, is whether the 2 outer screws in the bottom section secure the top part where I have also marked with red crosses.

[Nego2403]

That was helpful. I can lift up the front of the scuttle panel ithout removing any screws but it seems like the rear which meets the window is stuck.

The bottom part marked with arrows is bolted up to the bottom of the windshield?

[GiveMeABreak]

The trim should be bolted to the bodywork - nothing is attached to the glass or under the glass, which is bonded to the surround.

Perhaps you can take some pictures and upload them - this shouldn't be difficult to remove.

[Nego2403]

I will do some work on it in two weeks. I'll take some pictures when I have the wiper arms off again!

[Nego2403]

Have a look below. I have marked the 4 screws with red arrows. The top cross is the scuttle that separates in the middle into 2 halves. You have to slide these apart, but may have to remove the end parts first. What I can't be certain of, is whether the 2 outer screws in the bottom section secure the top part where I have also marked with red crosses.

I could not find any of these bolt that you have told me about on the diagram. The scuttle panel can be lifted up on the side which is closest to the engine. The side near the windshield is not budging it feels like it is glued onto the windshield. The windshield was changed at some point. Could it be that the sealant for the windshield was pushed out when the windshield was installed and glued the scuttle panel to the windshield or body of the car?

[GiveMeABreak]

That is a possibility of course, but the fixings are as per the diagram.

[Nego2403]

Can you agree that the upper part of the scuttle marked with #10 and 11 should be able to pull away from the windshield if screw #71 is not holding the plastic?

[GiveMeABreak]

I've just checked your VIN and you have a C3 A51 which is not a C3 II, so from your VIN this is the windscreen diagram and probably why you could not match up the fittings previously. I have changed your profile to reflect the correct model as last time I must of used the later C3 instead of the A51 based on your profile and not your VIN.

As I had the VIN in use for your other query regarding the oil, I noticed the windscreen is not the same as the other diagram, so ignore the previous one I put up.

This one doesn't seem to split into two pieces and is just complete. There seems to be a nut (80) at the side, but no mention of (70), so I can only assume that is is there but part of another diagram, so be careful.

[GiveMeABreak]

Give me a minute and I'll put something up for you about removing the scuttle....

Here you go:

C3 (A51) Windscreen Scuttle Removal - Refitting

[Nego2403]

Thank you so much so it is only clipped in. This was very helpful I had a hard time working on the top strut nut when I could only lift the scuttle panel halfways up