Condensation in E89 lights

S

strugglinauthor

Member
First of all - Happy Christmas! I'm not sure if it's a bit sad posting on Christmas Day when there's all that quality telly to be viewed... :)

There are plenty of threads I've seen/read regarding moisture in Z4 lights and it's clearly a common issue. My pre-purchase report identified moisture in both rear light clusters and both were replaced (at least, that was what I was told) by the dealer shortly afterwards.

In early December I noticed some fogging in the front lights and during my visit to a different dealer, I mentioned this. The service receptionist informed me that the lights are not sealed units and that some condensation is normal. He said that should they become droplets or pools of water, then attention may be required. I'm not saying he's right or wrong but my concern is that any level of moisture can, over time, corrode the internal structure and I dread to think how much these things would cost once the warranty expires. :o

Similarly today (hence this posting) I noticed more fogging in one of the rear light clusters where the turn indicator is, the very one in fact that was apparently replaced in October. Does anyone know definitively whether fogging is normal and can be ignored/tolerated or is this simply a fault that needs to be rectified? If I return to the dealer, it would be good if I had my facts straight.
Ta.
 
A tiny amount of condensation is apparently normal as the heat of the lights will evaporate this. Should it condense to a level it's gathering into water that can move around, that is a fault.

Mine were replaced twice until they got it right with some 'sealing kit' that BMW sent over from GmbH.
 
Thanks Maniac - that lines up with what I was told. Just seems a little odd though as either it means it's supplied with condensation in there that only evaporates and re-condenses, which seems odd, or it means that moisture can enter and exit freely, like the principle of lime plaster (for those into historic buildings). In either case I'm intrigued to know how it doesn't cause damage over time. Still, if that's the way it works then I'm cool with it as it isn't causing any issues.
 
I think this is a common problem as mine had the same issue and both rear light clusters were replaced under warranty.

Not sure if they were sealed but it has not done it since.

I am sure your dealer will sort it out for you.
 
Thanks for the other replies. Can I ask whether your warranty fixes were agreed because of condensation in the lights or because you had identified droplets/pools of water?
 
I had the same reply, had OSF & NSR lights replaced last week as there were droplets, however they refused to replace the other headlight as there was just slight misting which is normal - b0ll0x as far as I'm concerned.

To my mind if water is entering at all, it will only get worse not better, by which time the car will be out of warranty!

I've had many cars over the years and only ever had fogged lights on my 2 BMWs (front fogs on e85, replaced once under wty then I had to pay out 2 yrs later to replace again), why don't they recognise this is a problem?!? Seems crazy to me!!

Humph, rant over ;)


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Hi OwenT. Your post fits with what I was thinking. Being realistic all I can do is report the fogging in writing and that way if there are larger problems when the warranty expires then at least there's a glimmer of a chance that it might be honoured as it was pre-existing. Unless the lights were really intended to work that way by the BMW design team (unlikely), then I'm just surprised the problem hasn't been nailed by now. I'm sure fixing the problem would save the company more money than replacing hundreds of light clusters... :?
 
Both my rears were replaced twice. Car is 3 years old next month. First time they were replaced was 4 weeks from new second time start of this year.
 
Never had this problem and the Zed is washed weekly when used, I think modifications were made so probably adopted during manufacture. Some fogging with xenons does happen.

Tim.
 
TitanTim said:
Never had this problem and the Zed is washed weekly when used, I think modifications were made so probably adopted during manufacture. Some fogging with xenons does happen.

Tim.
Click to expand...

I think you have to use the car for this fault to develop Tim :poke:
 
I've just seen on page 117 of the owners manual that it says: "during cool or humid weather, the exterior lights can mist over...[but] in the event of more extensive moisture, for example water droplets in the light, have this checked by your service centre."

I also read on a non-Z4 forum that some BMW lights have vents to allow heat from the lamps to escape, and I guess this would provide and in/out path for moisture. So hopefully, all will be well.
 
Hmmmmm interesting strugglinA (hi!) that it's in the manual, hadn't spotted that... Still baffled that we should need to keep an eye on them in case the fog turns to droplets... So we should all be constantly inspecting our lights to check they don't fail? That's not 'premium quality' lol...






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But yes - I've got fingers crossed, and a countdown reminder for a month before warranty expires :oP


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Maniac said:
TitanTim said:
Never had this problem and the Zed is washed weekly when used, I think modifications were made so probably adopted during manufacture. Some fogging with xenons does happen.

Tim.
Click to expand...

I think you have to use the car for this fault to develop Tim :poke:
Click to expand...

Lol glad I'm not today it's lashing it down :( best all tucked away in the nice and dry polished up :D

Tim.
 
OwenT said:
Hmmmmm interesting strugglinA (hi!) that it's in the manual, hadn't spotted that... Still baffled that we should need to keep an eye on them in case the fog turns to droplets... So we should all be constantly inspecting our lights to check they don't fail? That's not 'premium quality' lol...






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Click to expand...

Yep - I'm the kinda geek that reads manuals. OK, I'm not really. I just saw it referred to on another site. I'm certainly not going to let this spoil my enjoyment of the car - but it just seems odd to design a system this way. We'll just have to hope that them Germans know what they're doin'... :)
 
Both my work colleague and i both have 23i's. We have both noticed the amount of condensation running down the inside of the rear light units. Probably due to the cold temperatures last night and today.
The reverse and indicators are completly covered in beads and also running down the tail light section. Looks like someone left the kettle on inside the units.
First car i have had. where i've seen moisture in the tail lights.
Seen in an old Fiat Panda, but would expect that!
 
When I arrived home with my car on Friday the headlights were fogged approx 50% but it faded away and hasn't done it since.
 
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