I have a1997 960 w/ 162 k mi.

First question: the sunroof leaks when it rains hard and water drips from the front corners of the SR and sometimes from the top of the driver's side windshield pillar. The sunroof has been problematic and the liftgate assembly has been replaced... twice. Drain tubes in the door frame have been blown out with compressed air and are clear... but it still leaks. Any suggestions???

Second question: I have an oil leak at the oil trap/block seal. I've been told that earlier 900 series are prone to this and there is an upgraded trap. Getting to it looks to be a pain with intake manifold removal required. The shop says it's a 4 hr. job. Has anyone done this? Any tips or pitfalls I should know about. I'm pretty handy and have owned and woked on many bricks but this looks like it may not be worth the effort.

Thanks!

Walt

If your oil trap is the same thing as the breather box, you may not need to take the intake off to do this. I replaced mine by taking the alternator,power steering pump and serpintine belt plate off then contorting the damn thing out of there. It's tight but doable and a lot less time than tackeling that intake.When or if you do, this grease up the hoses that go back on your new box and you'll have the toughest part out of the way. I changed my knock sensors while I was in there also, they can slowly degenerate and not send a check code while at the same time retard your ignition. This gave me a little more power, about 40 bucks each at the volvo store. Hows the power in the old girl?
Sunroof, I've suffered with the same problem,I took some silicone spray to her a few weeks ago,(to the seal around the glass part),seemed to help.
Do you have a wind deflector on your car. If so what helped mine the most was taking the deflector off and resealing the thing to the top of the car with double sticky tape. Hasn't leaked since.
Good Luck
Poolman

Yea, I think the oil trap & breather box are the same thing. So isn't there a rubber seal/grommet that interfaces this thing to the block? That's where I was told it's leaking. Did you replace the seal? Knock sensors sound like a good idea if I decide to do this. The car still makes great power!

This is the wifes car and I have taken it to pretty good privateer Volvo mechanic for most stuff, timing belt, the roof problem, etc... I used to do all this stuff on my B230F cars but just haven' t done much with the 960 other than oil/filters/plugs. I won't own a newer FWD Volvo so this will be the last one unless I buy a '98 S90. Now I can't bring myself to pay 4 hr labor for a job I can do. Guess I better learn how to do the belt also but I hear its a lot more difficult than on the four bangers.

I'll try the silicone spray on the SR. Mine does not have the deflector.

Thanks

Walt

There is a rubber gromet type of plug near the top of the breather box and a rubber tube near the bottom of the box. Both of the aforementioned are on the back of the box, two 10mm bolts hold the box to the engine block and you have two hoses that hook up, one from the side one on top. When I hooked these hoses back up I put a little ivory dish washing soap on them and then they slid on fairly well.
I know what your saying about the front wheel cars, just bought a new BMW 5 series, would have stayed with the volvo's have driven them for 15 years now and all have been rear wheel drive cars. Great balence with these cars.
Bmer's more sporty driving but the Volvo is just a good touring package.
I just replaced my timing belt on my ride myself for the first time the other day. Had great help form the folks here in this forum. Check out the 960 or V90 section for more info concerning this.
Good Luck
Poolman