Hey guy's, new here to the forum and just purchased a 96 Deville last January. No problems with the car really but as the weather is getting a little bit nicer here in Chicago I have been looking under the hood a bit more. I noticed black duct tape on the firewall. Pealed it back a bit and discovered a rectangular cut out and broken pieces of plastic. Looking more in the area I see exposed insulation and more cracks in the cover. I am only assuming someone performed a half @$$ repair at some point but can someone tell me if there is supposed to be a cover where the tape was or did someone make the cut intentionally? Thanks! (pics attached)

Was it neatly cut or jagged and broken? Where exactly is it? Some HVAC boxes have been known to become brittle and crack so it may have been a repair or it may have been cut to do a shoddy blower motor replacement job.

Looks like a frustrated attempt to repair a cracked heater box. Duct Tape "If they don't find you good looking they'll find you handy!" K_C

I've Had A 96 For 5 Yrs With The Same Problem.mine Just Recently Exposed The Rectangular Hole On The Top. The Entire Plastic Housing Has Cracked Up, And Is Falling Of In Pieces. I Don't Think Anyone Has Cut Yours Or Done Any Work There. Mine Has Never Been Touched And Looks Basiclly The Same.

Thanks guys, so it is safe to say at one time there was a cover and was cracked at some point. Further inspection from underneath revealed a small leak. The exposed yellow insulation looked saturated at the bottom. A few drips have been noticed after the car was parked. Ill live with it for now.

There is a drain at the bottom for A/C condensate and rain water that enters the intake grill at the base of the windshield.

My 92 has issues and when I look under miine, there seems to be a thin metal cover of some sort. Yet whatever was used to keep it stuck closed, has long gone away. I believe I will be using the DT as well.

Not all DT is created equal. Sure is handy stuff for sure Quack Quack, go for quality that will take some heat as well as resist exposure to a beating. Surface prep is important to a lasting repair. K_C