[Rikeos]

Not mine fortunately.

Pulled into Newport Pagnell services on the M1 this week and parked next to a black FSI 56 plate. The driver was on his mobile calling for help. His sliding sunroof had "exploded" (his words) while driving along. There was hardly any glass left, just a fringe of fragments round the edge. Luckily he was not injured.

Horror of horrors. I've not seen any reports of problems like this. Should this be something we worry about as the constant flexing of the bodywork eventually takes a toll on the integrity and strength of the glass? Just a one-off or a manufacturing fault?

So sorry mate, if you're reading this.

R

 

[nail-z-gull]

I have heard of someone else having the same problem... can't remember where I heard it though. Was it on here?

That would certainly give you a bit of a shock - and incredibly dangerous if driving at speed.

 

[schoolhousefred]

It is possible something reasonably heavy (perhaps even a large bird) dropped onto his sunroof and caused the sheet to shatter. almost seeming like an explosion. Usually there is a layer of film in the glass which prevents glass from actually breaking into pieces which come apart. Probably very frightening but not necessarily that hazardous.

 

[jamcar]

yeah I read about happening to someone on this forum.
Newport Pagnell thats near me!!

 

[SoCalMan]

Been on the "forums" for about 6 months. This is the first I have heard of
an "exploding" roof.

 

[neh321]

I have heard of someone else having the same problem... can't remember where I heard it though. Was it on here?

That would certainly give you a bit of a shock - and incredibly dangerous if driving at speed.

It was on this forum. Somewhere near Doncaster/Sheffield if I remember correctly. So that's two. Hope it's just bad luck for them and no inherent problem.

 

[SiJ2000]

Hi,

There is no pressure on the glass, so it is likely that a stone dropped on it from above (probably flicked by the wheel of a car in front....

It will shatter into zillions of pieves as this is a safety feature. Each piece is surprisingly blunt as it happens... Very clever!

 

[neh321]

Hi,

There is no pressure on the glass, so it is likely that a stone dropped on it from above (probably flicked by the wheel of a car in front....

It will shatter into zillions of pieves as this is a safety feature. Each piece is surprisingly blunt as it happens... Very clever!

Well I hope I don't get to sample that particular piece of clever VW trickery... Would have thought laminated glass might be a better bet for the roof?

 

[GOgg]

I would have thought so to, laminated glass roof panel would seem more practical and normal, especially in an expensive car like the Eos (for VW).

What you think you are getting for your money and what you actually get are two different things.

 

[schoolhousefred]

It would not surprise me if it is laminated to prevent particles from shattering and spreading! Anybody wanna try?

 

[karend]

Happened to my hubby many years ago when he was driving a Peugot 205 (oh the shame - I didn't know him then ). So it isn't just seen in our beloved Eos's... no need to panic or analyse.

Karen

 

[Rikeos]

OK, not panicking but just to explore the nature of the glass in the sunroof...

I first noticed the damage because when I was standing level with the stricken Eos I noticed something sticking up on the roof. When I looked closer it was the glass left attached to the rear edge where it joins the next panel. It looked as though it had been blown upwards by the wind pressure while the car was still in motion. That suggests ther was a laminating film holding the fragments together.

Anyway, it seems that this might be "just one of those things". We don't get too many large birds in that part of the UK, Schholhousefred, but I suppose the terminal velocity of a starling dropping out of the sky from 100' would still transfer sufficient energy to cause a problem. Anyone round here able to do the math(s)?

Be seeing you

R

 

[schoolhousefred]

Hi Rik,
It would not need to be that big a bird, or could be a stone. I took Engineering a loooong time ago, so don't ask me to make any calculations. All I remember is:
Momentum = Mass times Velocity and the velocity is the combined velocity of the two objects. Any other takers on this question? Anyway, I agree with you that the sunroof is probably laminated to prevent the fragments from causing injury. Have a good weekend and keep an eye on your sunroof! Cheers!

 

[IanJ]

It will be the kinetic energy that matters and KE is 0.5 times the product of the mass and the square of the velocity!

Sunroof will not be laminated. Missing centre of glass in the example above indicates this. Also in one corner of the glass will be a makers mark which tells you whether it is laminated.

Windscreens are laminated for safety - they stop flying objects (including passengers) going through them but other glass tends not to be for the opposite reason - in an accident you want to be able to break it to get out or be helped out and you cannot get through lamintated glass without specialised equipment!

 

[swordfish]

I have heard of someone else having the same problem... can't remember where I heard it though. Was it on here?

That would certainly give you a bit of a shock - and incredibly dangerous if driving at speed.

It was Parader's car that had the other shattered sunroof btw.

 

[schoolhousefred]

Excellent explanation Ian ............ thanks very much! I see by your Profile that you are an Engineer .. that explains your savy!!! Cheers!

 

[GOgg]

Yep, thanks for the explanation it does make sense. What a knowledgable lot we are.
Cheers

 

[Mira]

It is possible something reasonably heavy (perhaps even a large bird) dropped onto his sunroof and caused the sheet to shatter. almost seeming like an explosion. Usually there is a layer of film in the glass which prevents glass from actually breaking into pieces which come apart. Probably very frightening but not necessarily that hazardous.

It's extremely hazardous! It happened to me this week and it was like an explosion with glass flying out all over the car and onto the road,scared me to death!!! Thank God I had it closed or I would have been showered with very sharp glass and lost control of my car very easily!!!! BE CAREFUL WITH THIS!!!! It is very serious and it happens all of the sudden!!!! VW Corp is trying to say it was a pressure change or temp change and I was driving the car at around 8:30am and it was around 62- 69 degrees and they are not willing to replace it. NO way should that sort of glass be allowed to be used for a sunroof!

 

[Mira]

Happened to my hubby many years ago when he was driving a Peugot 205 (oh the shame - I didn't know him then ). So it isn't just seen in our beloved Eos's... no need to panic or analyse.

Karen

Do be very concerned! Trust me, it happened to me this week and you want to be freaked out then just be driving down the road in your EOS and have the sunroof explode! Be very very very careful!!! It will happen all of the sudden and it is very scary!!!!

 

[Mira]

I would have thought so to, laminated glass roof panel would seem more practical and normal, especially in an expensive car like the Eos (for VW).

What you think you are getting for your money and what you actually get are two different things.

AMEN!!!! How in the world can it be allowed that they would put this sort of cheap glass over our heads????? The EOS is very expensive and you would think our safety would be very important to this company and you would think you would get the best of the best for the price!!!! There should be NO WAY that this is allowed to be installed in any vehicle ever!!!! BTW, the glass they use in the EOS does not shatter into small dull pieces but into sharp chunks!!!! BE CAREFUL!!!!