Front Windshield Fogs up fast?

[misha]

3. I always feel air coming in through vents whether the amber light is on or off. Also, when the amber light is on, indicating the vents to the cabin are closed (according to the manual) I can still smell exhaust from nearby trucks/cars at times when in other vehicles I've owned I could not.

Air will always coming from the vents,it doesn't matter if REC button is on or off.The difference is that if it's ON....from vents will coming ONLY air from inside the cabin(recirculation),and if REC button is OFF...fresh air from the outside will coming from the vents.

[E Showell]

That's textbook symptom of a heater core leak.

[Sommerfeldt]

I've got this same problem at the moment, though I know for a fact that my problem is fresh air not coming in. When I switch the system to recirculation, air flows, but when I switch it off, the whole system closes up instead of opening to fresh air. It's worth a check - it took me quite some time to deduce what was going on...

- S

[viper69]

I've got this same problem at the moment, though I know for a fact that my problem is fresh air not coming in. When I switch the system to recirculation, air flows, but when I switch it off, the whole system closes up instead of opening to fresh air. It's worth a check - it took me quite some time to deduce what was going on...

- S

I know for a FACT air is flowing into the cabin because whether the car is set to recirculate or not, fresh air is flowing from the vents. I can hear a little motor running behind the glovebox when I turn recirc on, but the result is the same.

I called the Volvo "Stealership" to get a high end cost estimate, ~$700 for heater core replacement.

$210.00 for the core
$180.00 hr/labor
Est time to complete 2-2.5 hr

I'll be curious to see the other labor rates in my local area. I can't image they will be too different.

[scot850]

The point the guys are making is that although the A/C may be working, the cold air flap may not be actually working and may be stuck open. There is a small plastic arm on the servo for the cold air flap and they have been known to snap. To figure this out you need to remove the glove box liner to get access to check as it is directly behind there. Not particularly hard to do if you can wield a screw driver with a T30 or T35 bit in it?

There is also a write up of how to change the heater core. One I used was done by a guy who claims to be clueless but reckoned it took him about 4 hours. The write up is excellent and compared to many vehicles is relatively easy. It is worth reading up on as it will help you to understand what is needing to do.

The anti-freeze leaking also puts a film on the inside of the wind-shield which attracts condensation. In the short term clean the inside of the windshield with glass cleaner of Windex and scrub it clean. It will help. If you are in Vancouver, there used to be a Volvo repair specialist there (not dealer) that used to have a good write up for work quality. I can't personally recommend as haven't used them. Check around locally to see if there are any European repair shops if you can't do the repair yourself. If you were closer I'd show you how to do this.

Good luck!

Neil.

[viper69]

The point the guys are making is that although the A/C may be working, the cold air flap may not be actually working and may be stuck open. There is a small plastic arm on the servo for the cold air flap and they have been known to snap. To figure this out you need to remove the glove box liner to get access to check as it is directly behind there. Not particularly hard to do if you can wield a screw driver with a T30 or T35 bit in it?

There is also a write up of how to change the heater core. One I used was done by a guy who claims to be clueless but reckoned it took him about 4 hours. The write up is excellent and compared to many vehicles is relatively easy. It is worth reading up on as it will help you to understand what is needing to do.

The anti-freeze leaking also puts a film on the inside of the wind-shield which attracts condensation. In the short term clean the inside of the windshield with glass cleaner of Windex and scrub it clean. It will help. If you are in Vancouver, there used to be a Volvo repair specialist there (not dealer) that used to have a good write up for work quality. I can't personally recommend as haven't used them. Check around locally to see if there are any European repair shops if you can't do the repair yourself. If you were closer I'd show you how to do this.

Good luck!

Neil.

Hi Neil,

I think I was misunderstood re: the cold air flap, because what you wrote about it being stuck is EXACTLY what I was trying to convey to people. When I meant Recirc, I didn't mean w/the A/C on at all.I mean simply turning that rocker switch! haha I thought I was specific.
It's definitely stuck open.

I will read up on the core replacement, appreciate the tip on the glovebox. I'm sure what you wrote is the problem. I can do that for sure. Question, once it's removed, assuming it's a snapped rod, is this easy to replace? I've never had this happen before, and do not know what to expect. Seeing the problem is one thing, but fixing it could be a different issue considering I've never taken a look back there.

I wish I was in the Vancouver I'd love to learn how to do this, appreciate the offer anyway!

[scot850]

It is not particularly hard. Once you have the glove box liner out, you will need to drop the under dash tray. The servo is behind it and need only 1 small torx screw removed to allow the motor to be removed. The part is cheap by Volvo standards.

Neil.

[viper69]

It is not particularly hard. Once you have the glove box liner out, you will need to drop the under dash tray. The servo is behind it and need only 1 small torx screw removed to allow the motor to be removed. The part is cheap by Volvo standards.

Neil.

Thanks, I tried a T30 and it's too large. The bit extends beyond the hole. Is there a Volvo manual that will tell me what size tool to use? I can't afford to drive 60 mins round trip buying bits that won't work.

For a S70, they are a T25, can't seem to find a 850 reference.

This is all I could find, and there's no indication of size

http://www.volvopartswebstore.com/produ ... 86063.html

[scot850]

It is the same size. T25. My limited mental capacity and memory is failing!!!

Neil.

[viper69]

It is the same size. T25. My limited mental capacity and memory is failing!!!

Neil.

Thanks a lot!! Man, when I put the bit against the screw, I thought "he's crazy" haha Actually I thought it was a typo. I appreciate checking back.