very old man
Member
Hi all been to view a 2004 z3(private) and has condensation in the headlight,is it a big problem to rectify this.
headlight issue
- Thread starter very old man
- Start date
Won't pass it's MOT, will have to be replaced.
Taz x said:
Taz, leave him be, he's an old man
very old man
Member
whoops sorry z4 really a Mot failure........anyway can it be fixed?
It's probably just the inspection hatch cover in the wheel well has not been put back on properly, it can be removed fairly easily then use a hairdryer or similar to dry it out and then carefully replace the cover to ensure a good seal, it is quite a common problem.
I would think it will only fail an MOT if the the reflector is damaged in some way.
I would think it will only fail an MOT if the the reflector is damaged in some way.
short answer is yes it can be fixed - depending of course on how much water is in there 
I fixed mine by leaving the back cover off of the headlight and driving on a dry day with the lights on - DONT leave the car stationary with lights on and engine running as you will melt the lights. Even after my drive there was a puddle on the floor of the light which I managed to mop up with some tissue and a coat hanger. Others have used hair dryers...
Once mopped up you will have to make sure the cover is back on nice and securely. Probably best at this point to invest in a new cover with fresh seal as this is likely to be the cause (the seal gets pinched following improper cover replacement).
If there is alot of water in there though you may end up with run marks down the inside of the headlight of which there is no cure but a new headlight
I fixed mine by leaving the back cover off of the headlight and driving on a dry day with the lights on - DONT leave the car stationary with lights on and engine running as you will melt the lights. Even after my drive there was a puddle on the floor of the light which I managed to mop up with some tissue and a coat hanger. Others have used hair dryers...
Once mopped up you will have to make sure the cover is back on nice and securely. Probably best at this point to invest in a new cover with fresh seal as this is likely to be the cause (the seal gets pinched following improper cover replacement).
If there is alot of water in there though you may end up with run marks down the inside of the headlight of which there is no cure but a new headlight
very old man
Member
ok thanks for all your help
Yes its where the cover and gasket inside the wheel arch has not fitted snugly, I had this and yes easy to rectify, I found a lot of water laying in the base of the light, so I just a got a flexible small tube and sucked that out (yuck!!) then i nicked the daughters hair dryer to get rid of the condensation. i bought a new cover and gasket (from memory about a tenner) and all has been fine since.
Hope that helps
Rusty
Hope that helps
Rusty
pilchardthecat
Active member
gannet said:
Eh?
pilchardthecat
Active member
How long does it take!!?? Are we talking hours or minutes?
you are obviously fine for a few minutes, but the time it would take to evaporate the water will be many minutes if not hours. I was given the advice to ensure I was driving by the parts guy at he dealership where he had seen some melt in a previous job.pilchardthecat said:
as srhtuch says - you have been warned
Sounds a bit urban myth to me. Anyone actually seen this or just one of those things a dealer has said?
What I have seen a heard is people applying black tape to create diy euro headlight converters and that melting the front polycarb lens.
What I have seen a heard is people applying black tape to create diy euro headlight converters and that melting the front polycarb lens.
think someone on here had it happen when the dealer did it IIRC
edit: it was AJZ4London... melting headlight
edit: it was AJZ4London... melting headlight
gannet said:think someone on here had it happen when the dealer did it IIRC
edit: it was AJZ4London... melting headlight
I'm not convinced. The dealer was drying out the light so despite what they may tell the customer, who knows if they used a hot air gun or something equally stupid.
I do not for one moment believe a headlight manufacturer can sell a light that melts if you leave it on under normal circumstances. That said I'm open to be proved wrong.
My dealer had no reason to lie to me though - he wasnt trying to sell me a new light, far from it persuading me it wasnt needed.cj10jeeper said:gannet said:think someone on here had it happen when the dealer did it IIRC
edit: it was AJZ4London... melting headlight
I'm not convinced. The dealer was drying out the light so despite what they may tell the customer, who knows if they used a hot air gun or something equally stupid.
I do not for one moment believe a headlight manufacturer can sell a light that melts if you leave it on under normal circumstances. That said I'm open to be proved wrong.
at the end of the day though, would you want to risk it ?
gannet - Of course the dealer has no reason to lie in your instance. Doesn't mean everything they say is factual 
My logic is simple:
1) the light woudl never pass strict testing of either Hella or BMW if it melted.
2) we'd see lines of melted headlights everytime there was say a motorway pile up at night
3) How on earht woudl light survive in relly hot countries
4) Google would be full of melted light references and I don't see any bar a few about bulb holders, carriers etc.
My logic is simple:
1) the light woudl never pass strict testing of either Hella or BMW if it melted.
2) we'd see lines of melted headlights everytime there was say a motorway pile up at night
3) How on earht woudl light survive in relly hot countries
4) Google would be full of melted light references and I don't see any bar a few about bulb holders, carriers etc.
Then it will seal properly