Condensation in Lights

[Andyf12]

You will get light condensation particularly in the tail lamps because they have minimal breathing. You need to define whether it's water ingress or just atmosphiric condensation. Small droplets that look like fog are okay. It's when they run down the inside of the lens or there is water visible in the bottom of the lamp that its a problem.

A pool of water in the lamps = warranty problem.
Light fogging on the lens = not a problem, you're too fussy.

Unfortunately moisture in the air will do this no matter what. All headlamps have open vents on the back somewhere so air will enter. Would you ask for a new windscreen if it steamed up??

Don't drill holes in them as this will invalidate your warranty. If you drill holes in them then your lamps will fog more. The lamp is designed so that air circulates due to pressure differences at the open vents. If you drill a hole then you affect the air circulation!! Also, you are likely to get water ingress through the hole as it isn't protected from spray.

 

[deezal]

Hope this little explanation helps:

Condensation mainly occurs due to the fact that warm air can hold more moisture than cold air.
In the case of headlights, the air inside the unit could be quiet happily holding the moisture levels ok. But, then the headlight gets cold (possibly due to you washing the car or it just generally gets cold. - like it has recently!) and so the air within the headlight gets cooled against the glass.
As the air is cooled it can no longer hold the moisture (called the 'dew point' and deposits on the glass. - IE Condensation.
The general temperature may rise later, but the condensation will most likely not disappear as the warmer air will not 'suck' up the condensation.
It would have to get very warm for the condensation to evaporate and be absorbed by the warmer air. - A few of you mention using a hair drier. You are basically evaporating the condensation which is absorbed by the air within the headlight.
This will probably be on temporarily only. The next time the air is cooled you will get condensation again.

This is also why sometimes the condensation goes when you put on the headlights, basically due to the heat generated.

What can we do?

One way would be to properly seal the unit with air that is 'de-humidified' and therefore changes in the air temperature should not create condensation. Thus working by preventing condensation occurring.

The opposite approach would be to circulate the air.
(much like opening window when taking bath/ shower. Basically works by evaporation and replacement of the air before the 'dew point' is reached. - Would this be the breather you speak of on some threads? This method would reduce the likelihood of condensation occurring, but not necessarily stop it. It should however also remove it slowly when it has occurred.

But, with a headlight, either approach is not easy:
100% seal the unit and you can’t change the bulbs!

I had this problem with the rear brake lights. There was a bit of misting after heavy rain which made me think it was leaking. But I came to the same conclusion as you ,the heavy rain cooled the air in the light so condensation occurred. The next day it was gone again. I took it to the garage who confirmed there was no leak, but water in the lights was not a warranty issue.

 

[maddest_cow_eva]

I respect your opinion with this matter.

The problem isn't within the tail lights there completely fine apart from when I wash it, but that clears quickly enough and I'm not the slightest bit worried about that. And it's not just the head lights being 'foggy'. I'm not a fussy person, I can't stand any form of hassle. But when you pay the amount you do and you actually have water running down your head lights that's visible all over my head lamps I think I'm allowed to get the hump. Funnily enough that it doesn't happen on all cars so you can't just blame the moisture in the air as all cars with plastic headlights would have the problem if that was the case, and they don't. Mine takes about 3-4 sunny days to clear.

And the only way my wind screen would steam up is if my air con was broken, and if that happened yes a would complain, so don't make silly comments.

I won't be drilling holes, I know it will invalidate my warranty.

 

[andycupra]

I respect your opinion with this matter.

The problem isn't within the tail lights there completely fine apart from when I wash it, but that clears quickly enough and I'm not the slightest bit worried about that. And it's not just the head lights being 'foggy'. I'm not a fussy person, I can't stand any form of hassle. But when you pay the amount you do and you actually have water running down your head lights that's visible all over my head lamps I think I'm allowed to get the hump. Funnily enough that it doesn't happen on all cars so you can't just blame the moisture in the air as all cars with plastic headlights would have the problem if that was the case, and they don't. Mine takes about 3-4 sunny days to clear.

And the only way my wind screen would steam up is if my air con was broken, and if that happened yes a would complain, so don't make silly comments.

I won't be drilling holes, I know it will invalidate my warranty.

water running down the highlights does sound a bit more than condensation...

 

[Triple D]

And the only way my wind screen would steam up is if my air con was broken, and if that happened yes a would complain, so don't make silly comments.

 

[deezal]

And the only way my wind screen would steam up is if my air con was broken, and if that happened yes a would complain, so don't make silly comments.

Listen to STEAMY windows by Tina Turner

 

[maddest_cow_eva]

Yeah sorry about my little rant back there Needs must at certain times!!

Think the water was actually frozen in them this morning, although I didn't spend to long starring at them too dame cold for that!

 

[slimjim]

It's kool. Drilling holes is a BAD idea. Get THEN to fix it ... it's still under warrenty

How is your spine?

 

[maddest_cow_eva]

Yeah I'll keep my battle with them up!!

Spine is getting better thanks very much. I'm back to driving with out being in pain every time I change gear or go round a roundabout. Haven't braved putting heels back on though!!!

 

[slimjim]

Yeah I'll keep my battle with them up!!

Spine is getting better thanks very much. I'm back to driving with out being in pain every time I change gear or go round a roundabout. Haven't braved putting heels back on though!!!

Kool.....

Pop to Tesco and buy a "Hottie"

A sealed hotwater bottle that you pop in the microwave and use as you would a normal one....

They are ACE for back pain

http://www.hotwaterbottles.net/

 

[nickibizaCUPRA]

hey peeps. i have the same prob on my cupra, but i dried out the n/s headlam with a heat gun and is totally clear now and has been for a week or so but the o/s headlight is gettin sooooo much water in it i might have to buy some fish and turn it into a fish tank!

 

[Mankind]

atmospheric conditions causes the lamps to have condensation, there are modified vent kits available by dealer, you must take you vehicle in with the fault on your lamp for the dealer to take photos, send to seat technical and they will send them a mod kit, the lamps must be dryed fully before the mod is carried out.

 

[maddest_cow_eva]

Think I need a hottie in this temperature anyway!!

Hummm fish tank, now there's an idea!

Yeah I'm currently battling to have the breather unit fitted, the garage I went to hadn't even heard of it which was a great start. They've taken there pics and now I'm just waiting to hear. Any idea how long it takes from photo taking process to hearing back?

 

[NowGottaIbizaMk5]

What happened? Did SEAT get it sorted or not - please tell us all!

 

[Triple D]

I took my car to the stealers yesterday to complain about mine as their is little water droplets on the inside now. They took some pictures and are gonna send them to seat uk and see what they say. Hopefully they will send out a ventilation kit so that the stealers can fit it to the car. Ill keep you updated. Should hopefully here next week sometime.

 

[maddest_cow_eva]

Well here I am a good few months down the line and let me tell there's been a few calls flying around. My advice to those of you that are looking to battle this problem is don't give in, it can be sorted and my car looks so much better. I have to say one of the lasses at Seat Customer Care was a star and really helped me out.

The good news......... I HAVE NEW LIGHTS.... WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

This week my car finally went in to have its unit fitted. I wasn't convinced it was going to work I have to admit.... and it didn't. The garage went to fit the unit and discovered my lights actually already had the unit fitted. How Seat didn't already know this I don't know, all sounds a bit hit and miss to me. But new lights were ordered in straight away and fitted. I can tell you I've had NO water in them as yet

One job down two to go, if only the little f*ckers hadn't keyed my bonnet I'd be so happy!!

There is hope for those little lights yet!!

 

[Triple D]

Got a call today from seat to say that seat uk have ok'd my lights under warranty and will send a vent kit out. So hopefully they should be done for next week sometime. I just hope they dont give me a shitty 1.2. Might see if i can have a new leon to try.

 

[IH786]

Got a call today from seat to say that seat uk have ok'd my lights under warranty and will send a vent kit out. So hopefully they should be done for next week sometime. I just hope they dont give me a shitty 1.2. Might see if i can have a new leon to try.

U wish!! I went to Listers yesterday and they walked me past the new Leons (i got excited for a few seconds!) and then gave me the keys to a black Seat Cordoba with massive white Listers stickers on it Which my friends at work found very funny!!

 

[Triple D]

Ive bought two cars from them and get on well with the sales manager and another one of the salesmen. so i might i may even be really cheaky and ask if i can have one of them dodge ram srt10's they've got their Whats your car in for?

 

[IH786]

Ive bought two cars from them and get on well with the sales manager and another one of the salesmen. so i might i may even be really cheaky and ask if i can have one of them dodge ram srt10's they've got their Whats your car in for?

Hmm i don't think they like me then!

My car was there because it vibrates at idle. It did the same last year and they replaced the DMF and clutch.

I got car back from the dealers after giving it in yesterday. Apparently the 'technician' coudln't find anything wrong with the car. They said that the vibration is only very minimal and they would only look at it further if it got worse!!

Obviously i was pissed off. After a bit of arguing, they asked me to drive the car to see if i could replicate the problem. After a quick drive around the block the mechanic admitted there was a problem with the car and they booked it in next wednesday for 3 days, as they have to remove the gearbox