I have condensation inside my headlights and was wondering if the covers were suposed to be vented to allow air flow. (mine are not vented)

Headlights are supposed to be sealed. The condensation means its not sealed.

I don't know if it's the case with Volvos but I know Ford and some other manufacturers have started to vent headlight units so that the condensaton evaporates.
Rob

I see so many S80's with this condensation problem. Mine just started having this problem on my driver side headlight. Is this just a poor design?

I believe my covers are on pretty tight and I still have condensation.

Hi,

Similar situation, drilled small holes using Dremel tool in plastic casing. Go slowly make 3-4 holes in top of plastic. Most of these sealed units are never sealed. Brother-in-law with same situation has been to Volvo 5 times with this problem, all under warranty mind you but still.... my time is better spent elswhere.

Problem solved. heat from bulbs dissipate the humidity, then if you like tape over the small holes. Hven't seen any moisture, and haven't replaced a bulb yet....


cya

Per VADIS, there is an upgraded rear headlight cap that is supposed to eliminate the condensatin problem. Apparently, some of the earlier caps were not properly vented.

In my case, I had a crack in the glass lens, and had to replace it. It was a major pain in the derriere, as you have to undo the front bumber & drop it on the corresponding side (including removing the rivets along the wheel well & removing the snap-ons along the top of the grille-no matter how much I tightened the bumper on the wheel well afterwards, the bumper sags about a 1/4 inch), removing the headlight wiper motor, removing the corner light (which all the locks broke off as soon as I breathed on them). To top it off, when I tried to spray down the dirt that accumulated inside the headlight housing, the chrome reflective film immediately started stripping away. I'd recommend replacing the entire headlight housing if I had to do it all over again.

Here's what VADIS addresses-I couldn't post the picture, but it's the big, round cover behind the bulbs:

If misting problems arise


To reduce the problem of misting in the main headlights, a diaphragm has been created in Gore-Tex. This diaphragm is standard for the S60, but can be fitted to the S80, V70 and V70XC.
The diaphragm is fitted by changing the cover for the main beam light.

The bumper slides on to a piece of plastic guide held by 2 screws (per side).

Measure the sag. Drill a new hole on the plastic guide lower than the existing hole by the amount of the sag. reattach guide using the new holes thus raising the guide. Reattach the bumper and....the sag is gone!

Great advice - thank you very much! I'll address that soon after I'm done with my BMW that just blew a water pump followed by the head gasket this week, and my wife spent Thanksgiving arguing how it's not her fault. Fun weekend ahead!

hi diablo67 from oz. where exactly did you drill holes? any pics would help thanks

Ventilation will help...only a little. Condensation will still form in more temperate/cooler climates....tropical areas will probably be fine. Those in between may depend on conditions/season for any success.

Consider the physics. Condensation will form over a surface where the back of that surface is significantly cooler for the given humidity. There has to be a lot of ventilation to displace the air quicker, than dew can form...only a fan can achieve this before condensation occurs.

Condensation will not form in a perfectly sealed vacuum, very much like a thermo flask. But this cannot be easily maintained in this application, especially when the headlamp/bulb needs to be replaced.

The best solution to the condensation problem is to better equalise the temperature between the two surfaces by improving the insulation between the engine compartment and the headlight assembly. The engine compartment can get relatively hot when the engine has been running for a few minutes or more and there is only a thin piece of plastic (back of headlight assembly) separating the engine compartment and the lens. Hence condensation forms inside when the outside air is much cooler.

I have had a lot of success with this problem by inserting a small sheet of foam rubber insulation just behind the headlight assembly. No screws or any adhesive is necessary to hold it in place. I have reduced (if not eliminated) condensation in the Auckland winter but I have yet to test it under sub-zero temperatures.

Styrofoam will also work but it is not as flexible as rubber and would probably snap navigating its way past hoses/cables.

The water that used to appear inside the headlight on my 02 s80t6 occurred after rain - even when parked. The problem with my car was crappy assembly/engineering. The water ran off of the hood, collected on the top of the headlamp unit and seeped in through poorly fitted seals. I just (caught it when it had dried out) lifted the weather-lip on top of the headlamp, wiped out all the accumulated dirt/grime, and gave it a liberal dose of 'flowable' (liquid) silicone - right where the 'clear part' contact the 'opaque part' all the way across the top and sides of the lamp assembly. Just another thing that makes one wonder how automotive engineers get thier job! Good luck.

Last week an **** living near my apartment backed into the front of my s80, cracking the lens on the left headlight.. obviously since then there is condensation in it, however all of a sudden my RH side has condensation even though im sure it wasnt affected by the small hit on the opposite side of the car.. Could it be seasonal? Its not that cold in Tampa, FL during winter... and I suspect it would have happened before now.. Any simple solutions? SOmeone suggested i put rainx on and around the light but im not sure.
Thanks