Rear light cluster - clean or replace

A

ajguk

Member
Hi all

I know this is a common topic but I can't for the life of me find it a post about it today for some reason. Anyway my driver's side rear light cluster has the dreaded algae particularly along the bottom (indicator?) clear part. Huge difference between the two sides and now I can't unsee it. Is it possible to strip down, clean and reseal or do I need to just fork out for a new unit (or live with it)?

I found a Magnetti Marelli unit on carparts4less for about £200 that seems more reasonable than I remember them being.

Thanks!
 
I have "broken" one apart, you won't be able to clean it.
Buy new, they go from £140 to £200 depending on deals.
But i still had to glue up my new lamps to make sure damp didn't penetrate again.
All good last 4 years.
 
My drivers side (off side) is the same, I also have a spare near side one that was surplus when my son changed a pair for someone, (the off side having algae in) so is the off side more of a manufacturing fault than the near side?
 
What year? I have a 2009 right lens that is perfect never leaked etc. Swapped out as I replaced a failed passenger lens and it didn't match, too bright etc
 
Stash36 said:
What year? I have a 2009 right lens that is perfect never leaked etc. Swapped out as I replaced a failed passenger lens and it didn't match, too bright etc
Click to expand...

2009, it's a 59 plate. Could make you an offer if you're interested!
 
https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/search/478112520?gclid=CjwKCAjw9e6SBhB2EiwA5myr9t_EhCZl3yDwW_XPRDGYi-CUjEBHRpIsd0PrGKj8vzQYx2yZ8cLxqxoCDDwQAvD_BwE

Is this compatible? Any coding etc required?
 
flybobbie said:
Plug and play.
Blimey they have shot up in price, something else to be screwed over.
Click to expand...

Just ordered it.... £170 with the 20% off code so not that bad really? Cheapest I've seen, there are plenty of second hand ones on ebay for more than that.
 
How close are the magnetti ones to the genuine AL ones?

My drivers side one was dirty so I just took it out and pressure washed it to get the algae from the seams then blasted all the connection points with contact cleaner and put some clear sealant around the edge to prevent more ingress.

I intend to just buy 2 new ones from BMW eventually. I tried using 3rd party lights on my old E46 and they just bothered me that the fitment was slightly off.
 
ajguk said:
Stash36 said:
What year? I have a 2009 right lens that is perfect never leaked etc. Swapped out as I replaced a failed passenger lens and it didn't match, too bright etc
Click to expand...

2009, it's a 59 plate. Could make you an offer if you're interested!
Click to expand...

Yes you could have sorry not been online. Problem you'll have now is the left side won't be as bright
 
flybobbie said:
Magnetti are the original manufacturers, just look what comes off the car.
Click to expand...

Mine are AL. I don't know if they all are. Did your old ones have Magnetti stamped on them?

I looked on Wiki and it says that Magnetti are the parent company of AL so I think they should be identical.
 
All the one's i have seen are MM.
Does make you wonder if they actually still make them or just a warehouse full of them.
 
I used Evostick glue in spray can.
Bit messy you need to take the back piece shaped like figure of 8 off.
Rubber seal underneath is porous, so it needs gluing to the two parts to seal it.
Pull rubber out and glue back in. Then another coat, then reassemble.
2.jpg
Seems a bit drastic, but i don't want to be paying ££££ every few years to repace.
Have had no problems now 3-4 years since last lamp i replaced.
One failed even though i used silicone, it doesn't work.
 
flybobbie said:
I used Evostick glue in spray can.
Bit messy you need to take the back piece shaped like figure of 8 off.
Rubber seal underneath is porous, so it needs gluing to the two parts to seal it.
Pull rubber out and glue back in. Then another coat, then reassemble.
2.jpg
Seems a bit drastic, but i don't want to be paying ££££ every few years to repace.
Have had no problems now 3-4 years since last lamp i replaced.
One failed even though i used silicone, it doesn't work.
Click to expand...

Legend, thanks!
 
flybobbie said:
I used Evostick glue in spray can.
Bit messy you need to take the back piece shaped like figure of 8 off.
Rubber seal underneath is porous, so it needs gluing to the two parts to seal it.
Pull rubber out and glue back in. Then another coat, then reassemble.
2.jpg
Seems a bit drastic, but i don't want to be paying ££££ every few years to repace.
Have had no problems now 3-4 years since last lamp i replaced.
One failed even though i used silicone, it doesn't work.
Click to expand...

The unit arrived today - after looking at the figure of eight piece, is the water ingress happening there then and ending up at the indicator lens underneath? Or do I also need to seal the bottom part of the unit as well (after reassembly from your suggestion above)?
 
Yes. You can see they made the figure of 8 piece separate, held by clips and screws.
But the rubber they use is porous open cell foam, so water soaks the rubber like a sponge then runs down inside of the unit.
After i sprayed and reassemble i gave it one last coat around the outside.
The glue runs for several seconds before it goes tacky.
Check the lamp works though before committing to gluing.
3.jpg
 
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