Sunroof Leaking

[geokilla]

I went to the car wash today (touch free) and my mom and sister got a lovely dose of water from the car wash through the sun roof. After getting out, I looked at indeed there's a leak to the right side where the plastics are. I'd take a picture but too lazy right now

Anyone else got this problem? I'm bringing it to Volvo Villa tomorrow after the male service advisor at Volvo of Unionville pretty much said, "The sunroof is designed to block wind, not water. Sorry."

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[02s60t5]

I'm bringing it to Volvo Villa tomorrow after xxxxx at Volvo of Unionville pretty much said, "The sunroof is designed to block wind, not water. Sorry."

Wow, I'm shocked at the dealer responses to problems that are being reported in these forums lately.

[JohnnyB756]

I went to the car wash today (touch free) and my mom and sister got a lovely dose of water from the car wash through the sun roof. After getting out, I looked at indeed there's a leak to the right side where the plastics are. I'd take a picture but too lazy right now

Anyone else got this problem? I'm bringing it to Volvo Villa tomorrow after Cynthia at Volvo of Unionville pretty much said, "The sunroof is designed to block wind, not water. Sorry."

I think Cynthia at Unionville Volvo is full of it. Maybe she should find new employment!

[Canadian Bacon]

I went to the car wash today (touch free) and my mom and sister got a lovely dose of water from the car wash through the sun roof. After getting out, I looked at indeed there's a leak to the right side where the plastics are. I'd take a picture but too lazy right now

Anyone else got this problem? I'm bringing it to Volvo Villa tomorrow after Cynthia at Volvo of Unionville pretty much said, "The sunroof is designed to block wind, not water. Sorry."

I did have this exact same issue, actually. I didn't think anything of it since the water is fairly high pressure. I haven't had any leakage under normal rainy conditions though.

[saholz]

Maybe Cynthia thought you had the water roof option?

BTW, it shouldn't leak even under the high pressure of a car wash. They have to be pressure tested before they leave the factory, so any leak indicates a bad seal.

[geokilla]

Sorta expected this, but they didn't find any problems with the sunroof. The service adviser suggested that maybe the sunroof wasn't closed properly... If it wasn't closed properly it'd drop throughout the sunroof and not just on the passenger side >.>

Guess I'll have to bring it back next time I go to the car wash and immediately drive to the dealer and not wait a day.

[montgom]

Sorta expected this, but they didn't find any problems with the sunroof. The service adviser suggested that maybe the sunroof wasn't closed properly... If it wasn't closed properly it'd drop throughout the sunroof and not just on the passenger side >.>

Guess I'll have to bring it back next time I go to the car wash and immediately drive to the dealer and not wait a day.

Water test it at the dealer. Most dealers have a car wash. Run it through their car wash. Sit in the car, and was it repeatedly, not just once.

[geokilla]

Water test it at the dealer. Most dealers have a car wash. Run it through their car wash. Sit in the car, and was it repeatedly, not just once.

They did that with a pressure washer and said they found nothing. Told me to avoid going to touchless car wash which use high pressure water...

I'm thinking of bringing them to a car wash next time, assuming the one close to the dealer is touchless and as powerful as the one I went to yesterday. Good thing the car wash I went to yesterday dialed the water pressure down over the years.

[montgom]

I'm thinking of bringing them to a car wash next time, assuming the one close to the dealer is touchless and as powerful as the one I went to yesterday. Good thing the car wash I went to yesterday dialed the water pressure down over the years.

Use the dealers car wash.

[saholz]

It is possible that there was some sort of obstruction on the seal. It wouldn't have to be big; just big enough to compromise the seal. You might want to carefully inspect the rubber, clean it, then lightly lube it with silicone grease.

[geokilla]

Use the dealers car wash.

Dealers car wash is a hose or pressure washer like I said.

It is possible that there was some sort of obstruction on the seal. It wouldn't have to be big; just big enough to compromise the seal. You might want to carefully inspect the rubber, clean it, then lightly lube it with silicone grease.

They inspected it and didn't find anything. I'll inspect it myself as well I guess and see if anything looks different to the driver's side, but it's too dark to do that right now.

[ecoDrive]

Isn't there a gutter system that drains any water that gets past the seal?

[jnusaputra]

I went to the car wash today (touch free) and my mom and sister got a lovely dose of water from the car wash through the sun roof. After getting out, I looked at indeed there's a leak to the right side where the plastics are. I'd take a picture but too lazy right now

Anyone else got this problem? I'm bringing it to Volvo Villa tomorrow after Cynthia at Volvo of Unionville pretty much said, "The sunroof is designed to block wind, not water. Sorry."

You have to talk to kenny!!!!! forget cynthia....she is useless most of the time.

[geokilla]

You have to talk to kenny!!!!! forget cynthia....she is useless most of the time.

Kenny is no good when he doesn't listen to you during a road test.

[geokilla]

Went to the touchless car wash again, and this time we smartened up. The sunroof cover was closed so we, passengers, wouldn't get wet if it did leak again. After the car came out of the car wash, inspecting the rubber seals and it was indeed wet. Took a couple pictures. Afterwards we drove straight to Volvo of Unionville and well, I got more or less the same answer from both Kenny and Cynthia, telling me to close the cover when I go through the car wash and that there was nothing they can do in terms of fixing the problem.

Use the dealers car wash.

I did go through the dealer's car wash this time at Unionville with the sales manager that sold us our car. At Unionville, they use a touch car wash that is nowhere near as powerful as the touchless I went to earlier. He checked things out as well and said the only option he could do at this stage is to wait it out and let the plastic expand. I did tell both service department and the sales manager that none of my cars I've own or driven have a leaky sunroof and this is a first.

Oh we didn't wash it repeatedly. There was a lineup of Audis and Volvos behind us. We both checked the seals prior and after going into the dealer car wash. No obstruction. The gutter system is within the car. The sales manager did mention something about maybe a part in the gutter system being faulty, but I don't remember what he said

[JohnnyB756]

IMO, they are giving you a "run around". Try another dealer, or get Regional Service people involved.

[12_Ice_white_S60]

Went to the touchless car wash again, and this time we smartened up. The sunroof cover was closed so we, passengers, wouldn't get wet if it did leak again. After the car came out of the car wash, inspecting the rubber seals and it was indeed wet. Took a couple pictures. Afterwards we drove straight to Volvo of Unionville and well, I got more or less the same answer from both Kenny and Cynthia, telling me to close the cover when I go through the car wash and that there was nothing they can do in terms of fixing the problem.



I did go through the dealer's car wash this time at Unionville with the sales manager that sold us our car. At Unionville, they use a touch car wash that is nowhere near as powerful as the touchless I went to earlier. He checked things out as well and said the only option he could do at this stage is to wait it out and let the plastic expand. I did tell both service department and the sales manager that none of my cars I've own or driven have a leaky sunroof and this is a first.

Oh we didn't wash it repeatedly. There was a lineup of Audis and Volvos behind us. We both checked the seals prior and after going into the dealer car wash. No obstruction. The gutter system is within the car. The sales manager did mention something about maybe a part in the gutter system being faulty, but I don't remember what he said

Post pictures.

[Snowboarder XC]

Isn't this a brand new car? What are your lemon laws up there?

[geokilla]

Isn't this a brand new car? What are your lemon laws up there?

There are lemon laws?

Pictures in OP. So yea... I dunno if those pictures show much or help at all, but basically that's what remains in the interior of the car after we got sprayed in the high pressure car wash last time.

On a side note, I'm surprise my sister's Samsung Wave took better pictures than my Galaxy S.

[Snowboarder XC]

There are lemon laws?

I don't know mate, that is what I was asking you?

Actually after seeing those pics, I would trade that sucker in immediately for a Chevy Impala with the special wheels. Oh so special.

[R-Design]

Here's an idea. See if they'll let you take one of their S60's for a "test drive" to the same car wash - they can ride shotgun. I bet it doesn't leak like your car.

[djstorm]

I've had the same issue. Take it to a high-pressure car wash, got misted on. I felt the other side of the headliner and the gaskets surrounding the moonroof and they were soaked. Took it into a Volvo dealership (Bergstrom Volvo of Appleton (Wisconsin)) and they said that it is normal that the area above the headliner channels water. I don't recall ever having any water penetrate the moonroof gaskets in my '07 Honda Accord EX-L...

I'm also having issues with the driver's door gasket. Squeaking incessantly in the upper rear corner of the door. Tried applying the Shin-Etsu grease, then took it to the dealer. They readjusted the strike plate, but now it seems worse. The constant squeaking ruins a serene driving experience... :-(

[baggerben]

it's a shame, these cars are so nice,but lots of noise/issues.

[12_Ice_white_S60]

The gutter system is within the car. The sales manager did mention something about maybe a part in the gutter system being faulty, but I don't remember what he said

IS there a gutter system on the S60? I checked the loaner I have and didn't see one.

[JohnnyB756]

The information you guys are getting from the dealer is bogus. The sunroof should NEVER leak, period. I run my car through a high pressure car wash regularly (2 - 3 times per month), and it never leaks or gets "misty".

[geokilla]

IS there a gutter system on the S60? I checked the loaner I have and didn't see one.

There should be. I mean if the sunroof has gaps and you can slide a business card in between the seal and steel roof, the water has to go somewhere. He pointed out where the gutter system and gaskets are in his drawing and on my car, but I can barely see what he was pointing at lol.

[geokilla]

Called Volvo of Canada Customer Relations and raised the issue with them. They said they can't do anything about it. I told them that we plan to buyout the car once the lease is up and this problem will only get worse in the future as the car ages. They just told me to again to avoid high pressure car wash and to just monitor it and get it fixed when the problem is worse. He did mention that maybe Volvo will issue a recall if enough customers call about it, but at the moment, I'm the first one to notify them of this problem. I guess instead of just going to the dealer, maybe us customers should give Volvo a call ourselves to raise the issue and see if they can find the fault and fix it.

[2005 R]

Called Volvo of Canada Customer Relations and raised the issue with them. They said they can't do anything about it. I told them that we plan to buyout the car once the lease is up and this problem will only get worse in the future as the car ages. They just told me to again to avoid high pressure car wash and to just monitor it and get it fixed when the problem is worse. He did mention that maybe Volvo will issue a recall if enough customers call about it, but at the moment, I'm the first one to notify them of this problem. I guess instead of just going to the dealer, maybe us customers should give Volvo a call ourselves to raise the issue and see if they can find the fault and fix it.

Considering how much you continue to complain about your mom's S60 and the lack of proper service available to you at the dealer, why would you EVER consider buying this car after lease end?

[geokilla]

Considering how much you continue to complain about your mom's S60 and the lack of proper service available to you at the dealer, why would you EVER consider buying this car after lease end?

Because it's not my decision.

[shaneous]

Just for a data point, mine has been solid and leak free. Unfortunately, I think you are in the minority on this issue.

[geokilla]

Just an update, I posted on Volvo Cars of Canada's Facebook group and they said they'll try their best to raise the issue with Volvo itself. I believe he said he's gonna send it to a manager...

[Unxmaal]

Just an update, I posted on Volvo Cars of Canada's Facebook group and they said they'll try their best to raise the issue with Volvo itself. I believe he said he's gonna send it to a manager...

It doesn't seem like posting on this board is working out for you, especially if a FB post got more action.

Try a carefully crafted Executive Email Carpet Bomb - draft a brief, firm, non-ranty letter. Describe what the problem is, what you expect for a fix, and when you expect it. Find out every Volvo executive's email address -- google search, guess for patterns like JSmith or John.Smith@volvo.com etc -- then CC them all, and mail them your letter. I guarantee if you email VCOC's president, all the VPs, all the board members, all regional directors, all the generic help@ or info@ type addresses, and finally every other @volvo address you can find, you will get a very highly-escalated response very quickly.

Don't mail this tonight. Wait until Monday morning, so it'll be the first thing in their inboxes.

Here's a HowTo from Consumerist: http://consumerist.com/2007/05/how-t...rpet-bomb.html

[volvocu]

It doesn't seem like posting on this board is working out for you, especially if a FB post got more action.

Try a carefully crafted Executive Email Carpet Bomb - draft a brief, firm, non-ranty letter. Describe what the problem is, what you expect for a fix, and when you expect it. Find out every Volvo executive's email address -- google search, guess for patterns like JSmith or John.Smith@volvo.com etc -- then CC them all, and mail them your letter. I guarantee if you email VCOC's president, all the VPs, all the board members, all regional directors, all the generic help@ or info@ type addresses, and finally every other @volvo address you can find, you will get a very highly-escalated response very quickly.

Don't mail this tonight. Wait until Monday morning, so it'll be the first thing in their inboxes.

Here's a HowTo from Consumerist: http://consumerist.com/2007/05/how-t...rpet-bomb.html

I dont think this type of conduct is very appropriate, it is too under-the-belt; besides what does such an issue have to do with the executives!

[Unxmaal]

I dont think this type of conduct is very appropriate, it is too under-the-belt; besides what does such an issue have to do with the executives!

For normal situations, I totally agree. The EECB should only be used as a last resort, after you've exhausted all other methods of recourse. GK's had this problem for quite some time, and his local dealer hasn't helped.

[RLX]

Just a couple of thoughts here, sorry for interrupting the conversation.

First, in defense of the dealership, please excuse the comments that may have been made. I have heard quite a few of them, including " it's a car, not a submarine". Rest assured, that is not the direction Volvo as a company takes. Communication between customer and service personnel gets a little quirky at times.

Second, as this problem seems to be isolated to the type of car wash that you use, I would suggest that you gather as much data as to pressures, the type of spray pattern used, and then do a bit of research on your own. Plenty of information out there.

Next, as to the design of a sunroof. Most modern retractable roof openings have a gutter or drip rail system in place, with drains attached to an opening to the exterior of the car. The sealing systems always have the possibility of water egress, and are designed with that in mind. The systems are tested in a variety of ways that include multiple levels of water volume and wind. Of course, they are wind tunnel tested to speeds that are above what your vehicle is capable of. It is a piece of glass that is movable, therefore it needs to have a bit of give to withstand all of variable stress that is put on it in normal usage. So some deflection or distortion under direct high pressure force is understandable. If not, you would end up with a bunch of little chunks of sunroof in your lap when you hit that wash!

Finally, I would approach the dealer with as much information as to the issue as possible. An adversarial stance never helps either side. Many dealerships will have a shop foreman or technician that may be available for you to speak to. Many times its helpful to go right to the person that is going to assess the problem, so no information is lost or misunderstood. Ask your dealership if that is an option.

I have been on both sides of this type of problem, from owning a vehicle with a leakage problem to fixing water leaks in a dealer environment. In a better world, you and a technician would sit down to a coffee for an hour or so, and review design, functionality and a direction forward related to your issue. Until then, focus on presenting the issue in a way that gets results, trust me it helps!

Now, back to your conversation here, sorry for butting in.......