Condensation inside Headlights

[ESP]

Until I replaced my sidelight bulbs for LED versions I hadn't had this issue. I suspect that when I did as it was between rain shower's the air was very moist and with in 24hours both where very steamed up. I have read various threads online saying to replace the headlight rear seals, but I thought this a bit drastic and unnecessary, and wont work until all the water inside has evaporated. Also trying a hair dryer but this won't remove all the water at the bottom of the lens casing.

There isn't water getting in unless they are broken, just with moist air trapped inside with the back sealed up this condenses into water which will sit down in the lowest parts of the headlight. As they cool at night this then causes condensation and a ever going circle, lights on Clears, lights off, cools and mists up again and again.

It can only need a thimble of water to cause condensation.

The only real way to fully clear the issue is to leave the backs off, and leave the car parked 3-4 dry days somewhere facing maximum sun light. This way all the water will evaporate. Even from the bottom of the lens case.

You can always add a few bags of Silica Gel (strung together on a thread) and in 4 days run the car, turn the lights on for a while so they warm the air inside, and pull the thread out. Then reseal the rear of the headlight casing (if yours seals are really bad old and decayed apply some non-setting silicon around them before sealing, and Bobs your uncle.




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[Ozie]

I had the same problem when i bought my car few years ago. Changed the bulbs and after that there was water condensation in headlights...specialy when it rained. I tried the hair dryer also...didn't work.

Bought new covers ( with new seals of course ) and problem was gone. Cost like 30 euros or something.

[Brizza]

Just another tip which has worked for me, which the OP has touched on originally.

I hadn't had this misty light problem at all, until i had to routinely change one of the bulbs. I was a bit gutted that the day after i changed the bulb i had moisture in the headlight. I hadn't done anything untoward, just changed a flaming bulb!

After seeing a couple of different ways to get rid, and as the weather is turning a bit damper now, i didn't fancy leaving the backs off the lights in the hope it would dry out itself. So... i went whole hog on the silica gel idea, and purchased some larger packets of the gel.



As you can see, each bag measures about 4"x3" and came in a pack of 10 for a little over £4. All i did was remove the plastic backs off the lights, then thoroughly cleaned the rubber seals (still in good nick) and cleaned the edges where the backs fit the lights. I then simply taped 3 silica gel bags to the inside of each of the plastic backs using good old gaffer tape.

Over the next few days the moisture gradually receded. The following pics were taken this morning (1 week after), nice chilly, misty morning. Fogged up car... no fogged up headlights, and ginger in all its glory!




I have left the silica gel bags in position. Now the days are closing in and the there's more moisture in the air, i think they should do a decent job of keeping the 'foggy headlight' syndrome at bay.

[aquazi]

Bit of a warning on silica gel bags.... Someone on here did the same... Eventually the silca leaked into his headlight and destroyed them


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[Brizza]

Bit of a warning on silica gel bags.... Someone on here did the same... Eventually the silca leaked into his headlight and destroyed them

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Yep, not a permanent fixture of course. But now i know it works, replacing the gel every so often will hopefully do the trick. I just find it amazing that you have to go through the wheel arch just to change a bulb.

[markeg]

I just find it amazing that you have to go through the wheel arch just to change a bulb.

Downside of having a long penis..... I mean bonnet

[sdurrant92]

I to have the same problem as many others! 1 of my headlights is completely condensated up and the main bulb has gone. GREAT! Took it to my local garage and they said that they drained out half a pint of water (sealed it up with silicon) and said it should clear up the condensation... which it didnt! Also, they couldnt change my light as they had never seen one like it before and the water has blown the connection! I've looked online and it looks as if the car I have bought has LED headlights! Should I buy completely new normal xenon headlights? Or will they condensate and blow up as well? Any ideas - I am at a loss with this!? Have your normal headlights condensated or is just aftermarket?

[Juicehead]

Hi all,

I bought my Z4 two weeks ago, and one headlight is full of condensation (was like it when I bought it).. While on the unlit bit of the M25 tonight, I noticed that my lights were not even lighting up the road in front of me.. It's the first time I've ever had any dealings with Zenons. I checked the lights and found that the main beam is not working at all (either side).. My fog lights are not working either...are my electrics fried because of the water, or do I have two separate problems? I was going to post this up as a new post, but this all seems to be around the same issues so I'm highjacking it lol... Sorry sdurrant92

[Jamturbo]

Same problem, and it was quite bad.
I took off the wheels and removed the rear covers. I could see the rubber seal was pinched. Anyway, I used a hairdryer on cold air and held it in place tied to the shock, allowing the air to blow into the rear of the light. After 30 minutes, all the moisture had dissipated. I used new covers ensuring a nice seal. The lights have been moisture free all through last winter.

[Ewazix]

I did mine in January using a small hairdryer on the inside (not too hot) simultaneously with one on the exterior of the lens. Let them cool off, before cleaning and refreshing the back plate seals with some non-setting silicone grease. No condensation since.

[Rldee007]

Hi all
I have worked in car headlamp design and condensation is a real issue espically with long headlamps eg. DB9.
Silica do become saturated and once warm release some of moisture.
Once saturated you can bake them and put them back in but after a few cycles this doesn't work. Replacing regularly is the best option.
If you could open the casing to introduction of a PTC heat such as you find in a windmirror or a small fan which is wired parallel to your dipped beam is also a longer term solution.

[Cannon1891]

Hello all,

I'm thinking of changing my H7 bulb for an LED with fan built into base, do you think the fan circulating air would reduce the chances of condensation in future.
I'm just stripping my headlights as they both condensation, fitting halo's same time.

Cheers,
Phil

[meghnarani]

Hi Phil, the fan might help slightly with air circulation, but fixing any sealing issues is key to preventing condensation. Good luck with the halos.

[RatherRideMyHarley]

I don't know how old this thread is but I found it useful. My driver side headlight got a lot of water in it from driving in heavy rain a few weeks ago. I rarely drive my Z4 in the rain and it's garage kept. After 21 years it has 139,000 miles but is still almost like new. I have other vehicles.

I discovered that it leaked because I accidentally looped the brown headlight conductor into the seal which prevented the seal from working in 2 places when I replaced the bulb a few years ago. I found it very hard to get the back cover back on. Are there any tricks to get it aligned and seated so I can flip the wire retainer back up? I just couldn't seem to slip it past everything back to where it belongs. I had the front tire turned all the way in toward the engine which helped with access.

BTW, all I did was remove the fender door, the headlight back panel that gave me all the reinstallation trouble in the morning and let the car sit in the driveway in 99 degree heat until about 3 pm. The water was gone when I checked 6 or 7 hours later.