Headlights

trucker99

Member
 near Lincoln
Thought I would post this picture of my head lights. As you can see it looks like a load of stone chips but when you run your finger nail over them the marks are inside. Went to Sopers and the usual thing took photos and we will be in touch. Anyway the car went in for a service yesterday and the headlights got a advisory. BMW have had a look and its now having two new headlights on warranty. Glad I spotted it as the car is out of warranty and mot in December which would have been an advisory on them.

Not seen this happen before and wondered if anyone else has had the same problem.

DSC_0072_zpsfwguxhsu.jpg
 
Is it mold.
Or just some dirt water baked on the inside.
These style head lamp housings always seem perfect greenhouses for mold and spiders.
Have seen two spiders making webs inside.
Why they don't seal them rather then let the air circulate.
Might keep the damp out but dust collects on the inside.
One day will look into taking mine apart to see if they will clean up.
 
No its not mold. The picture doesn't show it very well it's like little chips but on the inside. Super haven't seen it before and bmw didn't fight it just said put new headlights on.

Have to see what the out come is.
 
flybobbie said:
Is it mold.
Or just some dirt water baked on the inside.
These style head lamp housings always seem perfect greenhouses for mold and spiders.
Have seen two spiders making webs inside.
Why they don't seal them rather then let the air circulate.
Might keep the damp out but dust collects on the inside.
One day will look into taking mine apart to see if they will clean up.

Answer is simple that you cannot seal them as the temp change is enormous from say -15c in Winter to +50c headlights on. They have vents plugged with foam to keep dirt and insects out. If they didn't have vents they would pull air in through rear hatches and is so doing risk pulling dirt and water in.
 
Well I had a Vauxhall Chevette that had glass headlamps and they never fogged, got mold, spiders or chips inside.
The chrome was like new after 15 years.
That was 50 year old technology.
Like everything these are cheap and poor design, but just have to live with it.
 
flybobbie said:
Well I had a Vauxhall Chevette that had glass headlamps and they never fogged, got mold, spiders or chips inside.
The chrome was like new after 15 years.
That was 50 year old technology.
Like everything these are cheap and poor design, but just have to live with it.

Probably the only bit that lasted on the Chevette though :)

I wouldn't disagree though - in the quest for weight and cost reduction, fancy looking design lights, complex shapes, etc. then they end up making then of cheap plastics and they clearly will never last 20 years on the average car. Then again cars are only being built to last 10 years...
 
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