V50 sunroof leak?

[CatV40]

I recently replaced my 1997 V40 with a 2006 V50. Really happy with the new car so far, however after very heavy rain last week I noticed water dripping in through the sunroof control panel in the ceiling of the car...

Having Googled "V50 sunroof leak", it seems that this might be a common problem, and may even be a design fault - anyone here had any experience of this?

I also appear to have water in the ventilation system (comes out of the vent under the driver's seat when the fan is turned up high), but I suspect this may be due to accidentally driving at about 40mph through a flooded dip in a very dark country road during the same heavy rain last week.

[vaynah]

I just experienced the same thing, just not with the AC.

It is the sound trap that was clogged up so water decided to come out at the A pillar and down to the floor.

It's a straight forward fix really.
Here is a video that helped me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfbjHwn8FSA

This might also be of help: http://bergeronvolvoservice.com/wp-c...ater_leaks.pdf

How to remove A pillar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqzJlhA1dLA

[iainmd]

I've managed to clear one side but not the drivers side. Even with the help of that PDF I'm still struggling to find this "sound trap". The PDF makes it look like it enters into the plenum chamber but VIDA shows a lower pipe and doesn't tell you where the sound trap is.

Any ideas?

[SilverJo]

My 2006 V50 had this prob on passenger side. I cleared it by using the same principle as "rodding" drains. I got a bicycle brake cable (just the inner wire) and cut off the nipple. Solder the cut end to as to give a smooth tip, ie no stray wires sticking out. I cut the drain pipe about half way down behind the A frame trim and inserted the brake cable in the downward direction, gently rotating it and moving it back and forward. Flush water down through the cut end of the drain using a funnel. You might need to do this a couple of times. Rejoin the cut drain pipe using a straight connector ( I got one for a micro garden watering system from my local garden centre.)
As this will be a recurring problem having access to "rod" the drain as necessary is quite helpful.

[daddycool]

Read your blog and solution with the brake cable. I'm doing the same thing, but using a reel of flexible plastic strimmer rod (lawn cutter). It comes in (2 and 3) mm sizes (and cheap). You can push it down from the sunroof side, without removal of any covers or pipe breaking, although you need to rotate it as you thread it down.

[daddycool]

After posting the previous thread, I actually thought about how I accomplished the task. This is the method:

1. Use Kingfisher 3.0 mm (15 m long) Plastic Garden Trimmer Plastic Flexible Rod (as used for a grass trimmer) - I got mine online from a well know online seller with free delivery (only cost about £3).
2. Prepare plastic end by melting with a lite match to form a nice smooth end (be careful not to burn your fingers or set fire to anything. Do it in an open space away from combustibles).
3. Once the end has cooled and set, gently thread the plastic flexible rod into the drain opening at the sunroof end. It may require gentle rotation, but will eventually push down over 1 m. DO NOT PUSH IT TO FAR! This could cause it to break through the rubber 90 degree bend which passes through the bulkhead.
4. Move it gently back and forward a few inches at its safe limit (judgement will be required here to determine that). Pour water into the water channel on the sunroof (not too much), wiggle the rod again.
5. Eventually you should see water coming out below the appropriate side, car body near the wheel arch.
6. Remove the rod and flush with small amounts of water being careful not to flood and overflow the water channel on the sun roof.
7. I'll repeat this now every 6 months or when I remember.

Good luck!

[JBONE]

I woke up this morning and had this exact problem. I tried numerous times to thread different types of wire down to unblock the drain/pipes and failed.

What i did manage to do was make this little contraption and attach a high pressure road bike pump,

I used a little bluetac to make the seal in the drain hole & it did clear it.

[Bungo]

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