Condensation in Lights

[maddest_cow_eva]

Help me!

I've had my Ibiza Sport for about 3 weeks now and the condensation in the lights is pi$$ing me right off. Does anyone else suffer from this and has found a solution?! I went to my local garage to ask about it and was told to 'look at it as a feature not a fault' as you can imagine I'm spending over £9300 on it and that comment didn't go down to well!!!

Please help me!

 

[Chemical Al]

searchy searchy

 

[mrcoyote]

Welcome.

It's a common fault apparently, but some people have had more luck than others getting it fixed and the heat from the lights being on will burn it off in no time. As Al said above, the search function may prove useful in getting more info though.

 

[maddest_cow_eva]

At least you call it a fault and not a feature

Sadly mine doesn't seem to burn off, I was driving it for 45mins ish with the lights on and it was still there when I got back home. I guess I'm either going to have to learn to love it or take it to the top!!!

 

[Ol' Timer]

I had one headlight on mine really badly affected by condensation while all the other lights were completely clear. When I asked the dealer about it they said it was due to changes in atmospheric conditions, as the lights are not sealed units, and that they had the same thing happen to their Audis and VWs. They said it was definitely not a warranty issue.

I cleared mine by removing one of the bulbs and applying gentle heat to the lens. It took three goes though and I finally cured it (for the time being anyway) by leaving the bulb out while the car was parked in the sun on a warm, dry day. Not easy at this time of year. Good luck!

 

[ibiza_95]

could be dangerous if it condenses and goes onto the fillament bulb or into the wiring (if possible) surely it is a bit of a warranty issue if this is the case...

mk2 ibiza 10 years old and still no condensation =)

 

[T. Spark]

Show off Us Mk4er's!

Id take it back, get new headlights.....

I know a few people have tried using them condensation bag thingy's to try and get rid off it, dunno if it helps...

Oh and as people said.. searching will bring up LOADS on this subject!!

 

[maddest_cow_eva]

I'm worried about whats going to happen when it freezes up in winter.

Condensation bag thingy's???

I checked out the whole searching thing, but it seems although quite a few people are battling with the problem a solution has not yet been found. Someone did suggest holding a hair dryer to it, can just picture the look on my neighbours face if I try that one!!

They won't give me new head lights, not under warranty apparently. You'd think they'd just create sealed units in the first place!

 

[Ol' Timer]

I'm worried about whats going to happen when it freezes up in winter.

Condensation bag thingy's???

I checked out the whole searching thing, but it seems although quite a few people are battling with the problem a solution has not yet been found. Someone did suggest holding a hair dryer to it, can just picture the look on my neighbours face if I try that one!!

They won't give me new head lights, not under warranty apparently. You'd think they'd just create sealed units in the first place!

I think "Condensation bag thingy's" refers to those packets of silica gel which you get with leather goods or electrical items. The problem with using them is that when you remove the bulb there is a cap inside the light unit which normally covers the end of the bulb and this restricts access.

They don't use sealed units because it wouldn't be possible to replace the lamps separately. There is a plastic cover over the back of the unit which should keep out water but I doubt if it is airtight.

If you are worried about using a hairdryer, think how I felt holding a hot water bottle over the light for half an hour!

 

[T. Spark]

I think "Condensation bag thingy's" refers to those packets of silica gel which you get with leather goods or electrical items. The problem with using them is that when you remove the bulb there is a cap inside the light unit which normally covers the end of the bulb and this restricts access.

They don't use sealed units because it wouldn't be possible to replace the lamps separately. There is a plastic cover over the back of the unit which should keep out water but I doubt if it is airtight.

If you are worried about using a hairdryer, think how I felt holding a hot water bottle over the light for half an hour!

Yup thats what I meant

As for warrenty you could try taking it to another garage or as u mentioned b4 go above them... just speak to the boss man! Mr Pedro... erm!

Good luck ne way

 

[maddest_cow_eva]

Thanks everyone, all the suggestions are much appreciated!

I actually registered my complaint and something seems to be happening! Something to do with fitting a Breather Unit. I'm not getting excited at the moment mainly as there's normally some kind of hitch with me. But I will let you know of the outcome.

 

[LeakyTurnip]

The same happened to my Ibiza, I left it in to the dealer one day and they went through some sort of check list on one of the lights.

When I got it back there was fulff on the inside of the light, which leads me to believe you can seperate the glass/plastic from the actual light fitting!

And a few weeks later I had a little spider friend in the same headlight!!

 

[mexicupra]

i have had this problem on my old head lights before i replaced them with xenon ones. i cured it by removing the headlight cleaning it then applying a not too harsh sealant. you have to make them as airtight as possible and then try not going through too many puddles. basically if the unit is airtight or as airtight as possible then condensation will not appear

 

[mrcoyote]

Ive never had any condensation, so mine must be airtight. But theyre not watertight so as the man says avoid driving through water when poss.

Surely if water can get in, then air can? Or are the molecules in air bigger than the ones for water?

 

[deezal]

Ive never had any condensation, so its not a 'normal' thing IMHO. I f the seal is intact there shouldnt be any water in there ( unless its been there since manufacture)

 

[deezal]

Surely if water can get in, then air can? Or are the molecules in air bigger than the ones for water?

Youre right,Ive rewritten that post.

 

[maddest_cow_eva]

Update



Well the old moby won't stop ringing, I've gone from customer services (which I have to say have been on top form!) back to garage.......... garage now calling customer services as they haven't got a clue what I'd talking about!!

Basically it would seem something called a breather unit has been designed to help with this problem, but no body has yet heard of it! The garage don't seem to want to book my car in which probably means they don't want to pay out the money

I'm awaiting a call back from the garage now, so fingers crossed everybody!!

 

[MR OBD]

i work for a garage and i aint heard of this breather unit!! i want one to stop mine from doin it!! oh n if u complain hard enuff it will get changed in the end!

I have trouble tryin to get a serious engine fault fixed on mine from where i work!! took em 4weeks to change a sensor!! urgh i hate em!! anyways!

hope ya get it sorted!

 

[orangesprout]

mine had same problem and garage didn,t want to play

so i drilled a small hole in cover on back to allow the light to breath ensuring it would not let water in

still fogs up if rain is very heavy but clears very fast

 

[maddest_cow_eva]

The garage hadn't heard of the breather unit either! Think it's a brand new invention thingy. Yeah I've already worked out if you complain enough they start to give, although I hate moaning. Customer services said it would be fitted their now delaying it and making me go through some long winded process.

I don't think I'd let myself loose with a drill on my new car! My old style mini maybe.