Facelift fog light condensation

[sharpyboy]

Hi Guys

I have condensation in my fog lights and wondered if anyone had this before and how hard is it to fix. When I pointed this out to the person I bought the car from they said it's not a problem drive round in the day time with the lights on and they will dry out. I tried this but doesn't seem any better, the lights do work I just think it can't be good for the electrics. Are they easy to remove? I take it they are sealed units so where does the water come from? Are they available new?

Any info greatly appreciated

 

[cj10jeeper]

You can buy new from a dealer, but expensive.
Water gets in because each time they heat and cool it draws in air which carries moisture. That condenses., exactly as when a double glazing unit fails.
You can take the bulb out and dry them, either parked facing the sun or with a dryer.
Some have drilled small holes that allow air movement and say this works.

 

[mattyp]

same issue on my 2007 coupe...the inside of the lamp is badly corroded and looks like coral growing in there.

The part numbers are as follows;

Left = 63177162739
Right = 63177162740

Do check www.realoem.com using your chassis number for your correct part numbers.

Maybe if there are enough of us interested we could look at a group buy?

Best price I have seen was about £75 per side.

 

[Marlon]

A well know 'feature' of the facelift Zed. There's no easy fix apart from the rather drastic method of drilling holes - see Kap'nZ4's solution with pics:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=88576&p=1308263&hilit=drill+holes#p1308263
Mine are permanently misted up, one day I'm going to reach for the drill :evil:

 

[Geezah]

Bought replacements from Eurocarparts, same as OEM (magnetti marelli made in Mexico) cheap enough, even cheaper when they have one of their frequent flas sales. They still mist up though.

 

[mattyp]

have just bought replacements at ECP for £120 for the pair with 30% discount this weekend.
part numbers as follows as they do not appear searching by reg

http://www.eurocarparts.com/search/475111110

http://www.eurocarparts.com/search/475111120

 

[boristhespider2016]

Hi Guys

I have condensation in my fog lights and wondered if anyone had this before and how hard is it to fix. When I pointed this out to the person I bought the car from they said it's not a problem drive round in the day time with the lights on and they will dry out. I tried this but doesn't seem any better, the lights do work I just think it can't be good for the electrics. Are they easy to remove? I take it they are sealed units so where does the water come from? Are they available new?

Any info greatly appreciated

Did you SERIOUSLY believe the seller??

 

[louie12]

So I guess just replacing them doesn't cut it? The design flaw means it will happen again?

 

[Z43.0Si]

My drivers side does this rather annoyingly! Funny though as the passenger side is fine. I will take the drill to it soon.

 

[sharpyboy]

My drivers side does this rather annoyingly! Funny though as the passenger side is fine. I will take the drill to it soon.

Where do you drill it? Is this to let you he air in and the water out? :?

 

[Marlon]

My drivers side does this rather annoyingly! Funny though as the passenger side is fine. I will take the drill to it soon.

Where do you drill it? Is this to let you he air in and the water out? :?

I've not done this, but this is where another forum member drilled his holes:

 

[mr.tourette]

My drivers side does this rather annoyingly! Funny though as the passenger side is fine. I will take the drill to it soon.

Where do you drill it? Is this to let you he air in and the water out? :?

I've not done this, but this is where another forum member drilled his holes:

That picture is copyrighted...invoice is in the post

 

[Greg 01]

Hi guys .
Yep I drilled mine and no more condensation Great idea and fix from the forum .

 

[Smartbear]

Hi, ive also drilled holes in my fogs just after purchase as they were like fish tanks :x
They are much dryer now due to the air circulation but the damage is already done, they appear to be full of coral reef :roll:
Rob

 

[Marlon]

Where do you drill it? Is this to let you he air in and the water out? :?

I've not done this, but this is where another forum member drilled his holes:

That picture is copyrighted...invoice is in the post

:lol: the arrows are mine

 

[Anonymous]

I've just taken mine out. Remove the bulb, give them 10 minutes with a hairdryer and they're back to 'new'.

The cause of the problem seems to be the black grommet/clip. The clear plastic part of the headlight is well sealed to the main metal body but there is a rubber part with clips straight through a hole in the metal body.

At first thought I thought this was a valve to let moisture out but I'm not sure, either way it's a design flaw!

It allows water ingress, and guess where the only place that's corroded was? Right below where the hole is..... :thumbsdown:

Sealed one side up with silcone and left one without, time will tell if the moisture returns

 

[sharpyboy]

I've just taken mine out. Remove the bulb, give them 10 minutes with a hairdryer and they're back to 'new'.

The cause of the problem seems to be the black grommet/clip. The clear plastic part of the headlight is well sealed to the main metal body but there is a rubber part with clips straight through a hole in the metal body.

At first thought I thought this was a valve to let moisture out but I'm not sure, either way it's a design flaw!

It allows water ingress, and guess where the only place that's corroded was? Right below where the hole is..... :thumbsdown:


Sealed one side up with silcone and left one without, time will tell if the moisture returns

Were they easy to remove?

 

[Anonymous]

At first no, they're a bit of a pain. Figuring out which way to turn the wheels, fitting the screwdriver into a blind spot to find through screws, discovering your car has headligot washers that you didn't know about which get in the way!

But once you've done one, they're easy!

I've just checked the one I didn't seal with silicone and it's fogged up again. So, if you take them out, seal around the black rubber bung in the top before refitting!

 

[sharpyboy]

At first no, they're a bit of a pain. Figuring out which way to turn the wheels, fitting the screwdriver into a blind spot to find through screws, discovering your car has headligot washers that you didn't know about which get in the way!

But once you've done one, they're easy!

I've just checked the one I didn't seal with silicone and it's fogged up again. So, if you take them out, seal around the black rubber bung in the top before refitting!

Will try this myself

 

[andysat]

I did a How to in the section how I removed them.