Foggy headlights

[mini_jeff67]

Need some advice, sifus... my headlights fog up and have droplets of condensation on the inside of the glass casing when it rains heavily... anything can be done to reduce/stop this from happening?Thx...

 

[jarance]

You got moisture trapped in your headlamp.

Suguest that you do the following... Switch on the light and high beam. Open the back of the plastic cover at the back of the headlamp. When the front of the headlamp feel very hot (say about 20 minutes), drive around in daytime and hot weather to ventilate the headlamp.

Remember to close the plastic cover.

Note; when you put your headlight ON, it would be advisable to keep your engine running to prevent unnecessary drain of your battery power.

 

[chairoger]

Jeff,

Ask mech to check for crack(s) in headlamp unit especially in the glass or rubber linings.Might have to change whole glass(not the whole headlamp) or simply the rubber bits. Last time the same problem happened to me but I simply take that excuse to change to the new chrome headlights.hehe

 

[jarance]

Originally posted by chairoger@Oct 4 2005, 01:28 PM
Jeff,

Ask mech to check for crack(s) in headlamp unit especially in the glass or rubber linings.Might have to change whole glass(not the whole headlamp) or simply the rubber bits. Last time the same problem happened to me but I simply take that excuse to change to the new chrome headlights.hehe

As mention by roger, It would be good to check for crack and the rubber seal. When the crack is there, the water will seep back into the headlamp once you drive in the rain.

 

[mini_jeff67]

Originally posted by jarance@Oct 3 2005, 11:55 PM
... Switch on the light and high beam. Open the back of the plastic cover at the back of the headlamp. When the front of the headlamp feel very hot (say about 20 minutes), drive around in daytime and hot weather to ventilate the headlamp.

Remember to close the plastic cover.

Will try that out, thx... but will it come back? Like chairoger says, may be a crack in the lining - may have happened when I was installing the angel eyes.

 

[mini_jeff67]

Originally posted by chairoger@Oct 4 2005, 12:28 AM
Jeff,

Ask mech to check for crack(s) in headlamp unit especially in the glass or rubber linings.Might have to change whole glass(not the whole headlamp) or simply the rubber bits. Last time the same problem happened to me but I simply take that excuse to change to the new chrome headlights.hehe

Err... how much did taht cost u? Am very tempted to change to titanium casing and new covers while I'm at it cos covers have hairlines already! How much do the rubber linings cost?

 

[chairoger]

Erm....have no idea what the rubber lining cost though. I didnt change the rubber linings....just change the whole shebang(headlamp unit).....around S$ 500 + labour.Hope it helps. :yes:

 

[mini_jeff67]

S$500 = RM1200, each side or the pair? This one?

 

[mini_jeff67]

Sorry, hijacked the pics from Chester! Sorry bro!

 

[chairoger]

Jeff,

Per pair. But its different lar bro. Mine's a E36,not E46.

 

[mini_jeff67]

Checked out the fogginess over the weekend - dries out in the hot sun but when I drive in the rain, it's back. The rubber lining at the back of the headlight assembly looks worn - can I get a replacement? AB, anyone?

 

[masCh]

I fixed mine by opening it up, and using silicone to reinforce the rubber. No more problems since.

 

[mini_jeff67]

Will give that a shot, thanks!

 

[andrew_e30]

what you can try first is just putting silicon on top of the present rubber lining... that will save you the trouble of opening up the glass....

note that the glass shatters if you are not careful.... i got it before....


cheers,
andrew_e30

 

[mini_jeff67]

Noted.