Condensation in Lights

[RUM4MO]

A different car I know, but, after I got a headlight cluster replaced on my B5 Passat (HID lights), I noticed that that light unit misted up a lot - for a year - or at least a winter - then was okay. Last month I replaced a sidelight bulb in that same headlight unit - now that side is misting up again! On the factory fit HID lights on the B5 Passat, the mainbeam light rear cover is a flat plate with a thick rubber gasket that is secured by three screws as it is also the mounting for the HID controller for the dipped beam - I too think that the misting issue is related to resealing/reseating this gasket and I think that I will either need to get new gaskets or use "a touch" of silicon grease to solve my problem.

On a lighter (sorry no pun intended) issue, on my wife's 9N Polo, I treated it to new indicator bulbs just before its MOT - then washed it and handed it in - got one advisory "O/S headlight misted up" - I did not refit the screw-on cover correctly (what an incompetant fool!).

 

[Maleko]

Hey guys,

had this same annoying problem with mine, did the hair dryer thing by removing one of the bulbs, passenger side was more difficult with the battery being in the way, but it has removed all water, and now will see how it goes!

 

[zach225]

sorry of this has already been mentioned but i skipped the middle pages as its a lot to read through,

its an easy fix, i did it on my audi TT.

you need a long small hose/tube. a car hoover and some cellotape

tape the hose into the end of the hoover, take the bulb out the headlight, put the tube into the headlight, start sucking

you should be able to maneuver it around the whole light pretty easy

 

[RaggedLob]

The first thing i read about trying was drilling 2/3 holes in the back cover, because it appears the problem is not enough air coming in, not too much

Pretty much works fine now, had 10 mins of condensation in about 3 months

 

[Maleko]

Hey guys,

had this same annoying problem with mine, did the hair dryer thing by removing one of the bulbs, passenger side was more difficult with the battery being in the way, but it has removed all water, and now will see how it goes!

Well, what a surprise the condensation came back. So I took the next step with hole drilling. I drilled a single 7mm hole in each of the main covers, and attached a small rubber tube to it and glued it to secure it. Condensation gone, condensations does reappear slightly when the weather changes, but the extra air circulation quickly removes it, happy clear bunny now! lol

 

[BeezaDave]

Well, what a surprise the condensation came back. So I took the next step with hole drilling. I drilled a single 7mm hole in each of the main covers, and attached a small rubber tube to it and glued it to secure it. Condensation gone, condensations does reappear slightly when the weather changes, but the extra air circulation quickly removes it, happy clear bunny now! lol

probably a stupid question but why did you need the rubber tube?

 

[Maleko]

probably a stupid question but why did you need the rubber tube?

Well some people have put it on just to stop any water from getting in, water dont travel up. I didnt wanna leave a hole just there without any kind of protection on it etc. I read that ifo on page 5.

 

[BeezaDave]

Well some people have put it on just to stop any water from getting in, water dont travel up. I didnt wanna leave a hole just there without any kind of protection on it etc. I read that ifo on page 5.

okay thank you.

 

[FR_Simon]

This is basically a design flaw. I have had cheap Ford's before with clear headlights and there was never a drop of condensation showing - even after a jetwash! No other marques are driving around with damp lights It's been made worse since the dealer cleaner the car while it was in for another issue, they must have gone nuts with the jetwash

Sounds like the seals are pretty innefective, presumably they don't get the level of humidity we do in Barcelona! Will try and get em replaced under warranty else it will be time to vaseline seal em.

 

[kidinspace]

This is basically a design flaw. I have had cheap Ford's before with clear headlights and there was never a drop of condensation showing - even after a jetwash! No other marques are driving around with damp lights It's been made worse since the dealer cleaner the car while it was in for another issue, they must have gone nuts with the jetwash

Sounds like the seals are pretty innefective, presumably they don't get the level of humidity we do in Barcelona! Will try and get em replaced under warranty else it will be time to vaseline seal em.

Before you go to the dealers cheat by pouring water into the headlight units, that way they can't argue it's a problem!

Personally I drilled holes in my back covers and never had a problem/condensation ever since.

.G.

 

[BeezaDave]

Before you go to the dealers cheat by pouring water into the headlight units, that way they can't argue it's a problem!

Personally I drilled holes in mine and have had a problem ever since.

.G.

you HAVE had a problem? what happened?

 

[kidinspace]

you HAVE had a problem? what happened?

Should have said "never" sorry...


.G.

 

[BeezaDave]

Condensation / Problem... none since the holes where put in the back covers...


.G.

oh right. thought you were saying that you were having a problem with condensation after you drilled the holes.

this sounds like a proper solution anyway!!! will do it soon!

 

[kidinspace]

oh right. thought you were saying that you were having a problem with condensation after you drilled the holes.

this sounds like a proper solution anyway!!! will do it soon!

I'll try and get some photos of where I drilled mine, I didn't put too many holes in it, just a few. Couldn't tell you what size of drill bit I used.

.G.

 

[BeezaDave]

I'll try and get some photos of where I drilled mine, I didn't put too many holes in it, just a few. Couldn't tell you what size of drill bit I used.

.G.

thanks very much mate!!!

 

[kidinspace]

I'll try and get some photos of where I drilled mine, I didn't put too many holes in it, just a few. Couldn't tell you what size of drill bit I used.

.G.

Bottom - (taken off and turned upside down)

Side

Side - wider view

So only 13 holes... no problems since...

.G.

 

[BeezaDave]

thanks very much mate, appreciate that!!

 

[myneek]

Same here, been wondering about this for the past few weeks. Will have to take a look at where and what to take off. Thanks for the photos kidinspace

 

[Ant FR]

guys


went to the supercar meet today and there were about 10 lambos there inclusidng the new Murcielago SV ( £300k) and guess what,

they all had condensation in their headlights....lol so i guess it does'nt matter how much you spend o your car.

 

[myneek]

guys


went to the supercar meet today and there were about 10 lambos there inclusidng the new Murcielago SV ( £300k) and guess what,

they all had condensation in their headlights....lol so i guess it does'nt matter how much you spend o your car.

Yeah, but they go so fast you never get chance to spot it