Radio getting hot/cold? Or weak airflow? Your HVAC vent is possibly leaking

[FMradio]

I noticed heated air coming from the center console when I had the radio out and heater running, and I found a huge horizontal gap between hvac ducts where foam has fallen off, causing plenty of air to blow into the center console when it's supposed to go to the vents. (The middle two vents facing your body, when you set the vents to blow at you by pressing the middle button on the climate control module's body pictogram)

Video here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/yuaphKbv8CoxLis98

Photos

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So if you notice your head unit/radio getting uncharacteristically hot/cold, or vent airflow is low, you may have a vent air leak behind the radio. My airflow is fine but I'm sure I'd be better without the leak And I'm curious if HVAC leak is possibly related to people's stock head units dying or malfunctioning.

I'm guessing you can fix the leak any way you want. Maybe you can cut out a new piece of foam for that gap (I'm planning to measure it, but remind me if I forget). Or wedge something else there. I will try some aluminum foil tape or duct tape to seal it because I see that used on HVAC vents around my house. (Hopefully it's strong enough to stay stuck on)

If you know anything about why Volvo designed it like this with foam filling a huge gap, please let me know. maybe they wanted a little air flow? But why let the heated air go in there.

[vtl]

All your foam seals are disintegrated from age and heat.

I was doing a full HVAC overhaul 2 or 3 years ago, had to replace all the seals. Your best shot is to buy 1/4"x1/2" foam tape, pull the vents and fix it. You'll be washing your hands for the next few days, trying to get rid of the rotten foam stench

[jonesg]

I noticed the radio felt hot several years ago, I don't listen to the radio anyway so.. I don't care.

[dikidera]

All your foam seals are disintegrated from age and heat.

I was doing a full HVAC overhaul 2 or 3 years ago, had to replace all the seals. Your best shot is to buy 1/4"x1/2" foam tape, pull the vents and fix it. You'll be washing your hands for the next few days, trying to get rid of the rotten foam stench

I can relate. Just recently after I replaced the heater core I had disintegrated foam all over my hands. But I've seen worse. I've had to work on cars that were covered in mice feces. Not pleasant. Makes the foam look like pixie dust.

[FMradio]

Your best shot is to buy 1/4"x1/2" foam tape, pull the vents and fix it.

That sounds like a great fix. Thank you. How did you figure out the way to remove the vents? Did you just look at them to figure out how they come apart?

I don't remember my Buick having heated air leaking out behind the dashboard, maybe they use an alternative to foam.

[FMradio]

All your foam seals are disintegrated from age and heat.

I was doing a full HVAC overhaul 2 or 3 years ago, had to replace all the seals. Your best shot is to buy 1/4"x1/2" foam tape, pull the vents and fix it. You'll be washing your hands for the next few days, trying to get rid of the rotten foam stench

I can relate. Just recently after I replaced the heater core I had disintegrated foam all over my hands. But I've seen worse. I've had to work on cars that were covered in mice feces. Not pleasant. Makes the foam look like pixie dust.

LOL. that sounds horrible. And a bit dangerous as mice feces can carry hantavirus. I've heard of somebody getting the virus and dying after sweeping their cabin, which had mice droppings from the off season. Gotta be careful.