Moisture in headlights

Post by **June** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:31 pm

With the cold rain near snow my headlights both ended up with moisture in them. I read some posted on here about replacement caps with a cloth covered vents from Volvo as a fix. The car goes in for a oil change next week and I would like to know what parts to ask for or at least a little more about Volvos fix for this problem. Thanks, June

Post by **RickHaleParker** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:45 pm

Most likely it just need new headlight gaskets. Cannot tell you a part number not knowing year and model.

Post by **June** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:08 pm

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:45 pm Most likely it just need new headlight gaskets. Cannot tell you a part number not knowing year and model.

2004 S80 non HID headlights. How do you change the gaskets? June

YouTube · Post by **oragex** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:10 pm

Had this years ago on the S60. Removed the plastic trim piece that runs on top of the seam between the glass and the housing, and put some outdoors silicone all along this seam. Stayed clear ever since.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:48 pm

How do you change the gaskets?

Remove the headlight assembly, Remove clips, Replace seal or make one out of clear Silicone RTV as Oragex did, reassemble.
The Volvo replacement for the gasket is Butyl tape. Volvo Part number 1161782. The RTV would work just as well.
Clean and dry well before reassembly. You don't want any moisture trapped behind the glass.
Light mist of Glass cleaner, then wipe it down with newspaper for a streak and moisture free shine.

: S80 Headlight.gif (15.1 KiB) Viewed 2168 times

Post by **xiami** » Tue Jan 16, 2018 3:48 am

On my Volvo S80, there is small retangular Gortex like membrane on the dust cap that covers the rear the the light bulb assembly. My headlamps were fogging up with moisture on the inside before I cleaned the membrane. Over the years, gunk, oil, and dirt clogged the membrane and trapped the moisture. My headlamp moisture problem went away once I cleaned the membrane.

Post by **Rattnalle** » Tue Jan 16, 2018 3:54 am

The membranes were created as a solution for this problem but were never as far as I know fitted from the factory.

YouTube · Post by **oragex** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:15 pm

This is what I did on my 2003 S60 a few years ago and it fixed the issue

Post by **June** » Tue Jan 23, 2018 5:38 pm

Rattnalle wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2018 3:54 am The membranes were created as a solution for this problem but were never as far as I know fitted from the factory.

Okay, I took all four caps off and all four are solid plastic. Mine as far as I know are factory. This problem just started. Durring my warranty period nothing ever broke. What should I ask my dealer for? Would the venting caps have a specific name? Thanks, June