XC70: General Spider web cracks in headlight casings

[MKY73]

Hi,

Yesterday my XC70 had its 180,000 service and MOT. Sadly she failed the MOT as when they checked the tow bar electrics didn’t work - another story but basically I’ve finally managed to fined a garage that knows what it’s doing to look at them but not til Saturday. So without a car now as it’s classed as a “dangerous defect” and must be off the road.

During the service they identified that both headlight casings were cracking along the top due to heat from the headlights. As you might be able to see from the attached photo this is not a cheap job especially when you’re self employed and Covid-19 has struck your income. I’ve been told T-Cut can be used, is that correct? Anyone else have experience of repairing them?

[eternal optimist]

Originally Posted by MKY73

Hi,

Yesterday my XC70 had its 180,000 service and MOT. Sadly she failed the MOT as when they checked the tow bar electrics didn’t work - another story but basically I’ve finally managed to fined a garage that knows what it’s doing to look at them but not til Saturday. So without a car now as it’s classed as a “dangerous defect” and must be off the road.

During the service they identified that both headlight casings were cracking along the top due to heat from the headlights. As you might be able to see from the attached photo this is not a cheap job especially when you’re self employed and Covid-19 has struck your income. I’ve been told T-Cut can be used, is that correct? Anyone else have experience of repairing them?

Sounds distinctly suspect to me.

Are you running standard bulbs or have you put 100w bulbs in? T Cut or similar can remove clouding on the front of the lenses, not cracking.

The car's not actually failed on the headlights, it's an advisory so you're not under any time pressure to fix it. If someone has fitted 100w bulbs then I'm not surprised you've got a problem. A pair of secondhand headlights should do the job. For a lot less than the comedy estimate they've given you!!

[ferg55]

re: towbar electrics, the MOT only requires a check if it is a new-style plug, whereas they don't check of it is the older style plug (with less pins). So if you fit a new-to-old style adaptor plug, available from any caravan shop for about £10, they won't check the electrics on the MOT, as they aren't allowed to remove the adaptor to reveal the new style plug. They just accept it as an old-style one. I have had this situation for the last 7 years on my car after it failed, and this has prevented them checking since.

[MKY73]

Hi,

She’s got Volvo’s Xenon bulbs in

[MKY73]

Originally Posted by ferg55

re: towbar electrics, the MOT only requires a check if it is a new-style plug, whereas they don't check of it is the older style plug (with less pins). So if you fit a new-to-old style adaptor plug, available from any caravan shop for about £10, they won't check the electrics on the MOT, as they aren't allowed to remove the adaptor to reveal the new style plug. They just accept it as an old-style one. I have had this situation for the last 7 years on my car after it failed, and this has prevented them checking since.

That’s very interesting as I have a new to old adapter plug which I need to tow my van, as it was built in 1994, pre single plug/socket 👍

[ferg55]

re: your lenses, unfortunately the lenses on their own are not available as a spare part, either from Volvo or aftermarket. Your best bet would be a pair of good complete lamps from a car being broken. The xenon units are expensive, even second hand. AFAIK there were two types of xenon lamps for the UK market, active bending and non-active bending. The tell-tale will be if there is a switch on the center consul of the car being broken, below the temperature controls, with a headlamp icon on it. If present the lamps are active bending (switch allows driver to turn bending on / off).

[XCR]

Let us have a picture of the lenses....
A wet sand and polish is usually sufficient.

I did mine recently.
From this

To this

To this


Cleaned thoroughly then wet-sanded with 1200/2000/3000 grit papers before machine polishing with Farecla G3, followed by Sonus Final Finish.

[ferg55]

Look good, but make sure you coat with a UV filtering lacquer, otherwise they will yellow and craze within a couple of years.

[XCR]

Why would they ? Are they lacquered from factory ?
I've taken that step in the past and whilst initial results are favourable, longevity of finish suffers.
Have you used a particular lacquer you could recommend ?

[37 RUBY]

Originally Posted by XCR

Why would they ? Are they lacquered from factory ?
I've taken that step in the past and whilst initial results are favourable, longevity of finish suffers.
Have you used a particular lacquer you could recommend ?

Yes they are lacquered from the factory. When sanded that is removed and the plastic underneath polished.

The basic kits available have a liquid coating supplied that needs regular re-application.

There are more permanent solutions available such as this...https://e-tech.uk.com/e-tech-restore...ght-clear-coat