Condensation in my headlight

[ryukin]

This is annoying. I recently changed the bulbs in my headlights and ever since then, the drivers side headlight has been steamed up and has condensation on the inside.

Does anyone know the best way to get rid of this? I spent 40 minutes with hairdryer on it yesterday which worked for half an hour and then it all came back.

All suggestions welcome!

[gawain1981]

I thought this was normal on xenon lights as they are not sealled? Might be wrong.

[ryukin]

Mine are halogens. It's never occured before - only since I changed the bulb, but it may just be coincidence. I put the back cover on properly so I may have a leak

[gannet]

loads of threads on this..

check your seal on the back of the light bet you have pinched it letting in more water.

my dealer advised me to run the car with the back off and lights on a long journey (dont leave the car standing and running or you will melt the lights)...

still had some in after though I could reach it with a tissue

some people have had luck with hairdryers...

I bought and fitted a new back cover with a new seal and no problems since

[ryukin]

loads of threads on this..

check your seal on the back of the light bet you have pinched it letting in more water.

my dealer advised me to run the car with the back off and lights on a long journey (dont leave the car standing and running or you will melt the lights)...

still had some in after though I could reach it with a tissue

some people have had luck with hairdryers...

I bought and fitted a new back cover with a new seal and no problems since

good advice! cheers I'll give those a go and if it doesn't work, I'll buy the new cover.

[cj10jeeper]

You have almost certainly disturbed the now ageing seal by removing it at least twice. Combined with very cold weather tends to cause condensation to appear on the lenses anyway.
Replace the rear cover and all will be fine. There's no other point it can 'leak' at.

One of my indicators fogged for an hour yesterday at the breakfast meet simply by taking it out of a warm garage and parking it in a cold damp spot for a couple of hours. First bit to cool is of course the lens cover.

[AJZ4London]

Bulb out, hairdryer on, 5 mins and it will have gone (I am poetic).

You will probably need to get a new seal, I did but it is not fixed

[yammyfan]

Hi, where can i get a new back or seal from?

Thanks

[srhutch]

Main delaer is your best bet, not worth messing around with 2nd hand stuff that might not seal properly.

[Exactmax]

I had this problem and used some sponge attached to an old coat hanger and got most of the water out. Then I used the hairdryer for about 20 mins!

Used new seals from BMW and no problems since and did this back in Feb!

[gookah]

The headlamp molding puts a groove in the seal over time, and they don't sit in exactly the same place after refitting causing the leak.. rainwater travels over the top of the headlight when you are driving which runs down the back straight into the headlight passed the leaking seal.
The seals are not available on their own, you have to buy them complete with the back plate too, why, I don't know, who ever needs a new backplate?
Dealer quoted me £20 each, so I bought a tube of silicon, went round the seal with it and now OK.
Silicon does not set, so easy to remove later

[cj10jeeper]

The headlamp molding puts a groove in the seal over time, and they don't sit in exactly the same place after refitting causing the leak.. rainwater travels over the top of the headlight when you are driving which runs down the back straight into the headlight passed the leaking seal.
The seals are not available on their own, you have to buy them complete with the back plate too, why, I don't know, who ever needs a new backplate?
Dealer quoted me £20 each, so I bought a tube of silicon, went round the seal with it and now OK.
Silicon does not set, so easy to remove later

That's all good advice - except about silicone not setting. You'd need to qualify if you refer to a specific type, but the generally available DIY and automotive is also one of the strongest adhesives you'll find.

[gookah]

says on the tube. non setting. make sure you get this type, Silicon waterproof sealant (automotive),

[cj10jeeper]

says on the tube. non setting. make sure you get this type, Silicon waterproof sealant (automotive),

[inkey$]

Had the same issue a few months back. Bought a new rear headlight cover for about a tenner, took the old one off and gave the car a run during a nice hot day. Then let it stand pointing at the sun for a couple of hours before putting the new rear cover on and replacing the inner arch cover. Cleared it up lovely.