Condensation inside headlights?

[Ult-Jim]

Does anyone else have condensation inside the glass of the headlights after yesterday's wet drive home from Silverstone? Have opened up the backs and used some heat lamps so it can breath & dry out. The seals look ok but are now showing some age with the 2010 car. It's condensation more than water leaking in. Anyone have some good ideas?

[BogBeast]

Me to. It usually goes after a day or two by itself, however I am thinking seeing if I can fit some 12v PC fans to move some air in or out

[k wright]

I'm going to use 3 inch flexible tape to span the gap and the spray it with some black removable car wrap spray.

[Steve_D]

I solved the problem by making some small vent holes in the top of the housing at the back and again at the bottom of the housing. The bottom vents then have a computer processor fan fitted to keep a flow of air through the housing when ignition is on.

Steve

[mt308]

Mine were even worse! The expanding foam currently surrounding the covers works ok in the dry keeping out dirt but acts like a sponge in the wet.

I bought some bitumen tape a couple of months ago but hadn't got round to fitting it. Might also upgrade the headlight bulbs at the same time as I will remove the unit to clean the inside of the perspex before sealing.

Mark

[deadscoob]

If it makes you feel any better, my old E39 BMW did it too

I think what Steve has done is best, they need a little air

[Ult-Jim]

Many thanks all. It look like my seal round the edge is too tight. I can see a way to add some air flow so I will try that.

[Alex93]

I like the idea of the fans at the bottom then vent at the top, i think they have them in a Pagani (might be mistaken but it's a car of that ilk). Would the fans be on all the time of when the cars running or would they be better just at certain times?

[Steve_D]

The fans are on with the ignition. They draw very little current.

Steve

[UltimaCH]

Alex93 said:

I like the idea of the fans at the bottom then vent at the top, i think they have them in a Pagani (might be mistaken but it's a car of that ilk). Would the fans be on all the time of when the cars running or would they be better just at certain times?

Koenigsegg style: https://www.facebook.com/KoenigseggAutomotiveAB/ph...

Edited by UltimaCH on Tuesday 28th July 13:02

[Alex93]

Thats the one I'd seen! Could be a good addition and saves the condensation issues. Just gotta get a discreet fan and make it look professional.
Anyone know the fans that are used in this image?

Edited by Alex93 on Tuesday 28th July 15:38

[Steve_D]

My fans are not visible nor can you see the vent holes they are hidden in the very top and bottom of the housing so hidden by the black band around the perspex.

Steve

[confusionhunter]

Would the problem no also be solved by a large pack of silica gel? Or would the headlight also need to be totally sealed?

[deadscoob]

Am I the only one that thinks the Koenigsegg solution looks a little kit car like? Venting at top as good, but a visible fan??

[UltimaCH]

Steve_D said:

My fans are not visible nor can you see the vent holes they are hidden in the very top and bottom of the housing so hidden by the black band around the perspex.

Steve

Steve,

Any photos of your "invisible" solution to have an idea? I'm sure plenty on here would appreciate...

[TokyoRich]

I get this all the time on the Elgrand's we use. Sometimes it goes others I push in a little rag and blow it around with the air gun then fish it out.. depends how easy access is I guess.

[GTRS]

What's the possibility of making the head light covers removable with a water proof seal? This would eradicate the need for fans and vents if the problem occurs infrequently.

[Bart 124]

GTRS said:

What's the possibility of making the head light covers removable with a water proof seal? This would eradicate the need for fans and vents if the problem occurs infrequently.

I think a few guys have removed the headlight bonding requirement in favour of some simple domed screws that thread into inserts on the clam. See no reason why you couldn't put a soft seal liner around the headlight edge and then this would provide a decent enough seal yet be removable when needed.

[GTRS]

Anybody on here gone down the removable cover route? It would be nice to see a few 'how to' pics?