condensation in front drivers lights
- Thread starter sherlock
- Start date
Afternoon All,
I have got exactly the same thing ( following my Xenon install - which involved cutting holes in the back of the light covers )...
does anyone know where you can get just the seals rather then the whole backs? that said does anyone know where you can get the whole back? I have searched the web and am unable to find either!
Will refit my xenon's this weekend with plenty of bathroom sealent.. hopefully the seals will be okay and it was just my slightly strange hole cutting that let the water in.
D
I have got exactly the same thing ( following my Xenon install - which involved cutting holes in the back of the light covers )...
does anyone know where you can get just the seals rather then the whole backs? that said does anyone know where you can get the whole back? I have searched the web and am unable to find either!
Will refit my xenon's this weekend with plenty of bathroom sealent.. hopefully the seals will be okay and it was just my slightly strange hole cutting that let the water in.
D
I think the part you are after is part 7 here:
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E85/Roadster/Europe/Z4_3.0si-N52/RHD/N/2006/july/browse/lighting/indiv_headlight_parts_xenon_headlight/
If you copy the part number
LHS: 63126928413
RHS: 63126928414
into the Part number search box on http://www.cooper-bmw-parts.co.uk
You can order them from there for about a tenner.
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E85/Roadster/Europe/Z4_3.0si-N52/RHD/N/2006/july/browse/lighting/indiv_headlight_parts_xenon_headlight/
If you copy the part number
LHS: 63126928413
RHS: 63126928414
into the Part number search box on http://www.cooper-bmw-parts.co.uk
You can order them from there for about a tenner.
Okay, I just ordered a new headlight back cover for my condensation riddled passenger side unit. Service guys said that once condensation gets in there its nigh on impossible to get out - although he would of course say this when a new complete lamp unit is £780 
So, once the new rear cover arrives I need to take the old one off and dry out as best as I can - without getting killed through the legendary xenon electrical charge. Understand the wheel arch panel and spring clip removal, but is there a link anywhere on the forum that shows how to actually dry out the inside of the lamp with a hairdryer etc? When I looked in there last it seemed pretty tight. Be interested to hear from anybody that has successfully opened up, dried out and reinstalled a new rear light cover on their xenon's. Or am I going to have to take out the entire front light unit?
So, once the new rear cover arrives I need to take the old one off and dry out as best as I can - without getting killed through the legendary xenon electrical charge. Understand the wheel arch panel and spring clip removal, but is there a link anywhere on the forum that shows how to actually dry out the inside of the lamp with a hairdryer etc? When I looked in there last it seemed pretty tight. Be interested to hear from anybody that has successfully opened up, dried out and reinstalled a new rear light cover on their xenon's. Or am I going to have to take out the entire front light unit?
I managed to do dry it out, though the hair dryer wasnt too successful...
After a long drive with the cover off the back all the condensation had pooled in the bottom of the light - I then managed to soak it up in situ with a few rolled up tissues.
put the new cover on and no problems since
After a long drive with the cover off the back all the condensation had pooled in the bottom of the light - I then managed to soak it up in situ with a few rolled up tissues.
put the new cover on and no problems since
Actually, its a good point. If I'm going to poke around in the back of my xenon's searching out water with a tissue covered wire, then I might need to know what I shouldn't be touching or going near. The thought of me conducting 25k volts isn't appealing and I quite like my life. Tried searching the forum but can't find any direction. Anybody have any pics? 
It's been a while so I thought I'd update all on my experience re: headlight condensation. Took advice and did as follows:
1. Purchased new rear light cover (approx £10 from dealer).
2. Waited until a hot day came along.
3. Took old rear light cover off and went for a hack.
4. Parked up - left her facing the sun for a couple of hours.
5. Fitted new rear cover to headlight.
Not a problem since! Looks clean, clear and had no issues since. Def worth a tenner and 5 minutes work
1. Purchased new rear light cover (approx £10 from dealer).
2. Waited until a hot day came along.
3. Took old rear light cover off and went for a hack.
4. Parked up - left her facing the sun for a couple of hours.
5. Fitted new rear cover to headlight.
Not a problem since! Looks clean, clear and had no issues since. Def worth a tenner and 5 minutes work
Newbie_Tim
Member
inkey$ said:Actually, its a good point. If I'm going to poke around in the back of my xenon's searching out water with a tissue covered wire, then I might need to know what I shouldn't be touching or going near. The thought of me conducting 25k volts isn't appealing and I quite like my life. Tried searching the forum but can't find any direction. Anybody have any pics?
+1
I've got some terrible condensation in the drivers side headlight after having an HID kit installed, presumably I turn the wheel lock as much as possible, remove the arch cover, headlight cover and get the hair dryer on it? And if it comes back swap the seals?
blackredz4
Member
when i got the car all 4 front lights were bad got into the backs with the wheels removed , removed all covers and bulbs and hair dryered them all dry all but the passenger side head light have been good since , did this one again and ended up drilling a small hole in the bottom to let water drain out fixed a small bag of silica gel into the back cover and thats been ok too
Newbie_Tim said:inkey$ said:Actually, its a good point. If I'm going to poke around in the back of my xenon's searching out water with a tissue covered wire, then I might need to know what I shouldn't be touching or going near. The thought of me conducting 25k volts isn't appealing and I quite like my life. Tried searching the forum but can't find any direction. Anybody have any pics?
+1
I've got some terrible condensation in the drivers side headlight after having an HID kit installed, presumably I turn the wheel lock as much as possible, remove the arch cover, headlight cover and get the hair dryer on it? And if it comes back swap the seals?
Assuming your HID hole in the back cover is a really good seal, then it'll probably be the seals themselves around the cover.
Quick tip. If they still feel foamy, rather than rubbery (they go rubbery the older they get, new they are foamy and soft), then remove them and just re-fit them into the groove in the panel a different way around, so they kinda fluff out and fill the gaps better again.
I swapped mine and they have been fine since. They do mist up a tiny bit if I jet wash the car around the lights, but it's like a tiny patch of mist for a day rather than a full on rainstorm on the inside appearance that mine used to be like
I bought new rear light panels, but you *might* be able to just get new foam inserts... which should be a few quid each tops!
Dave
inkey$ said:Actually, its a good point. If I'm going to poke around in the back of my xenon's searching out water with a tissue covered wire, then I might need to know what I shouldn't be touching or going near. The thought of me conducting 25k volts isn't appealing and I quite like my life. Tried searching the forum but can't find any direction. Anybody have any pics?
its the volts that jolt, the mills that kill