Tail lights

[flybobbie]

Well washed the car noticed right tail light condensation and chrome very dull compared to the newer 4 year old on the left.
I have struggled in the past to seal that lamp after initially using silicone sealant then Evostick.
My left lamp, which i sealed from new with Evostick is still clear bright and dry.

So have just ordered a new one.

At the moment. CarParts 4 Less, with discount £132. Looks like i might have just bought the only right on offer. Now showing left only.

Be quick if you want a left, 20% discount at the moment.

 

[flybobbie]

Condensation at the top, discoloured reflector at the bottom, red led strips are duller when on, Mould.

 

[Anonymous]

The smart arse statement is to catch the condensation at the start..easier said to done..

I was fortunate that I spotted one early on..the seals on the back of the inspection caps had failed..so 18 hours in front of two 500 watt halogen lamps then resealed and all ok..

 

[kunta]

Morning
Maybe there are pictures of the areas that need to be sealed ?? Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Here you go...

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e89-z4-sdrive35i-roa/repair-manuals/63-lights/63-21-rear-light-cluster/8IMHWafz

 

[flybobbie]

Well the light has arrived, that was quick.
Will check to make sure it works then glue up the seal and surrounding area as before.
Unfortunately BMW (supplier Magnetti) still don't know their mistake or just ignore it.

 

[flybobbie]

Morning
Maybe there are pictures of the areas that need to be sealed ?? Thanks

I will photo what i do and post.

 

[Beeacon]

Here's one flybobbie wrote earlier complete with my own photos of the process:

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1647997#p1647997

Hope it helps!

 

[flybobbie]

Well jobs done. All glued up. The old unit was a right mess and one clip had broken allowing the water in.

 

[Deebs]

I too noticed after some vigorous washing that the lights had let some moisture in. Right side was a simple fix using the contact adhesive as detailed previously on here.
Left side wasn’t actually sealed along the bottom at all. The mould had set in. I took an cheap mini screw driver from a Xmas cracker and bent the end over. This let me fish out the worst of the mould. I also squirted the end of my homemade pooper scooper with mould and mildew remover and tried to get as much inside the casing as I could without leaving smear marks on the inside of the lens.
Sealed back up with some silicone now.

I got the car about 6 months ago with a 12 month warranty from Sytner. I’m not holding my breath, but I might waste an hour on my life suggesting they supply me with some new lights. I noticed my front ones have a small amount of condensation also.
Any bets on how fast they are at telling me to do one?

 

[Ed.Straker]

Is it a common problem?

 

[Deebs]

Now the snow has melted, the front lights look problematic also.
Sytner’s first response was seals and corrosion are not covered under warranty (as expected). Started escalating it up the chain.

 

[Deebs]

Is it a common problem?

I’m not sure how common it is, but in my case it is all interlinked with the dreaded water ingress into the boot.
Dry sealant, poor design = moisture sitting on the seals. Said water getting into the lights and corroding some of the connectors.

 

[flybobbie]

That white stuff looks like someones attempt to seal. Just clean up and buy some black gutter sealant from B&Q.
Water from the boot drains over the tail lights, just bad design on top of bad design.
Headlights are open to atmosphere so will clear.

 

[Deebs]

Thanks Flybobbie.
I’ve done mine. I was highlighting it as the source of my rear light issue. Years of crud flowing over the lights had led to a build up of moisture seeping through the foam seal. I’ve clean and re-sealed everything in the boot and used contact adhesive on the lights (although I’m hoping for some replacements).

 

[Deebs]

As many wiser than me have said, crazy design!

 

[Ed.Straker]

Now the snow has melted, the front lights look problematic also.
Sytner’s first response was seals and corrosion are not covered under warranty (as expected). Started escalating it up the chain.

I see looking at a 2011 owners manual it says..


Headlamp glass
Condensation can form on the inside of the external
lamps in cool or humid weather. When the light is switched on, the condensation evaporates
after a short time. The headlamp glasses
do not need to be changed.
If there is a large amount of moisture, e.g., water
droplets form in the lamp, have the lamp checked by your service center.

 

[Deebs]

Now the snow has melted, the front lights look problematic also.
Sytner’s first response was seals and corrosion are not covered under warranty (as expected). Started escalating it up the chain.

I see looking at a 2011 owners manual it says..


Headlamp glass
Condensation can form on the inside of the external
lamps in cool or humid weather. When the light is switched on, the condensation evaporates
after a short time. The headlamp glasses
do not need to be changed.
If there is a large amount of moisture, e.g., water
droplets form in the lamp, have the lamp checked by your service center.

Thanks Ed
Useful to know.
I imagine it will clear if it’s own accord.
Car hasn’t moved for a couple of weeks

 

[flybobbie]

I'm interested in that first picture, looks like BMW also changed the design of the boot edge trim, the one that clips onto the little studs.
It has a much wider lip than on my car.

 

[flybobbie]

I'm interested in that first picture, looks like BMW also changed the design of the boot edge trim, the one that clips onto the little studs.
It has a much wider lip than on my car.
Must have been another attempt to reduce how much water flows over the tail lamps.