Headlight condensation

L

Leon.

Member
Am I right in thinking this is due to a knackered seal and I have to replace the unit?

Edit: I did remove the covers a few weeks ago to install new side light bulbs, so wonder if the seal is a bit kinked... I'll remove the cover and let it dry out this week (weekend car) and then refit and see if that helps :)

I recently had an HID bulb go in the same unit, so wonder if this has anything to do with it... I'm reluctant to change the bulb until I rectify the condensation issue.
 
I have been stuggling with condensation for a while now
Hairdryer on inside and outside did not work - condensation came back
I consulted my wife who gave me a block of dense sponge up to 10x normal absorbancy
I cut a wedge and poked coat hanger wire into it
removed healight back and bulb the feed the sponge wedge
With coat hanger bending I was able to soak up almost all of the water, pull out squeeze water out and back in
I then treaded 4 solica bags (from my local shoe shop) onto some thin wire to soak up residual
Inserted them replaced the bulb
I then took the rubber from the backplate and inserted it the other way around so that fresh rubber is against the headlight unit
That is a short term fix - I will buy new backs for both lights soon

See photos below of Prof Pat Pending's "spongewedgecoathangerthingy"
wedg2Picture1.jpg

wedgPicture1.jpg
 
Sounds like a good method!

m44rrt said:
That is a short term fix - I will buy new backs for both lights soon
Click to expand...

You shouldn't need to do that - just get something like silicon lubricant and leave it on the rubber for 24 hours, and then wipe off the excess. Should give you a nice seal then :)
 
nevans said:
How do you get to the headlamp? through the access covers in the wheelarch?
Click to expand...

Yes there's a cover in the wheelarch with two plastic catches on the outer side. Rotate these and it should come free. Then there's a bent metal wire clip that sits over two parts on the plastic back cover - ust prize the clip towards you and it should come free. Then wiggle the back cover out.

If you have a manual, it's all in there.
 
Leon. said:
Sounds like a good method!

m44rrt said:
That is a short term fix - I will buy new backs for both lights soon
Click to expand...

You shouldn't need to do that - just get something like silicon lubricant and leave it on the rubber for 24 hours, and then wipe off the excess. Should give you a nice seal then :)
Click to expand...

Ignore what I said here, the gaskets are foam not rubber, so best bet is to buy new as you said. I ordered some in and picked them up yesterday, much better seal :)
 
I have been struggling with condensation ever since I drilled 20mm holes in the back of my light covers for my new Xenons :D

had tried everything to get rid of it ( even lights on full beam with tin foil on the outside to dry them off... )

but nothing... kept coming back.. last night I took the whole thing apart ( for the 15th time ) and used brand new seals which I got from here : http://www.cooper-bmw-parts.co.uk/

and plenty of bathroom filler round my new holes to make a good tight seal.. just got to wait for the sun to come out to dry them off a little now.

One BIG tip - dont forget to rotate the locks on the wheel arh linner when you put it back in... its no fun watching it spin down the road behind you when it falls out at 70... :headbang: :oops:
 
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