Headlight Condensation
Discussion
bogie said:
Ive just ordered a kit from AMUpgrades too. The only light unit on my car that has not been replaced is misting up really bad this winter, hopefully a few hundred quid invested will sort it out once and for all.
The new clear rear lights supplied by the dealer 2 years ago are just starting to show a little condensation, so new lights are no guarantee of re-occurrence. I guess I will end up having them taken apart and re-sealed some time in future.
It is amazing on a modern production car how this can happen on all the VH product range that used the same light units.
I installed the kit a couple of months ago after one of the headlights failed and I had it repaired. The kit is easy to install and very effective.The new clear rear lights supplied by the dealer 2 years ago are just starting to show a little condensation, so new lights are no guarantee of re-occurrence. I guess I will end up having them taken apart and re-sealed some time in future.
It is amazing on a modern production car how this can happen on all the VH product range that used the same light units.
I'm also drying out one of my rears this weekend and drilling/goretex patching it
How to feel stupid, about a month ago I helped my mate fit a DB9 kit, both lights always had condensation, good fun, didn’t take long, we took the car out for a nice drive, returned back, we both got out to have a look at the lights, "hey presto” the driver light was totally clear, the passenger side was misted, oops, I fitted the venting caps to this side but forgot to connect it to the wiring loom, 2 minutes later, connected, fan on and 20-30 minutes later all clear. I saw him on the weekend, lights are now always clear, he also said it was the best upgrade he had ever bought especially knowing it has solved the continuous problems the Aston lights have, just looking for better weather to really enjoy the car.
bignoise said:
Hi
I think I have a fix for this issue
Thinking back to my old E36 which were notorious for condensation which was cured by removing the back cover
Now with the position of headlights on our cars being lower etc what I did was provide some ventilation by drilling 2 8mm holes in the flat rectangular area of each headlights access cover and then stick some Goretex over the holes
So basically remove wheel arch liner access
Remove headlight bulb access panel
Drill holes
Stick on goretex patch
Reassemble
The Goretex basically allows ventilation but keeps moisture out £6.43 from Amazon
I did my vantage a couple of weeks ago and have had clear lights ever since
Don't use those patches, the adhesive layer is not breathable, so the patches are not breathable and I even think they are not true goretex, i purchased a kit like that and did some testing before drilling holes in my lights, I used a hermetic plastic recipient and discovered they are just patches to repair clothes, as they are only intended to do minor repairs is not necessary to them to be breathable, the fabric seems to be goretex but i tested pilling out the adhesive layer and they allows to pass water.I think I have a fix for this issue
Thinking back to my old E36 which were notorious for condensation which was cured by removing the back cover
Now with the position of headlights on our cars being lower etc what I did was provide some ventilation by drilling 2 8mm holes in the flat rectangular area of each headlights access cover and then stick some Goretex over the holes
So basically remove wheel arch liner access
Remove headlight bulb access panel
Drill holes
Stick on goretex patch
Reassemble
The Goretex basically allows ventilation but keeps moisture out £6.43 from Amazon
I did my vantage a couple of weeks ago and have had clear lights ever since
Edited by bignoise on Wednesday 6th March 18:33
If anyone wants to use goretex patches solution, buy automotive vents, goretex, or whatever brand.
The funny thing is headlights on our Astons actually have a goretex-like vent patch, in the DB9 is next to the rear cover, in the Vantage they are on the sides.
The patches will not help, you need to read this thread from the start, the patch may help with air pressure but it will not remove the moisture which causes the condensation, venting is the only solution, everyone who has fitted a venting kit will support this, I have tried all of the “wives tales” for curing the problem, a lot of time wasted plus expense, save time, fit a kit, well worth it.
Hi All, I am new on Pistonheads so please forgive me if I do something wrong. I owned a V8 Vantage for 3 years, always had condensation and worst of all, I had to pay for a new headlight, ouch. I too tried silica bags plus Gortex patches, slightly better and then it comes back, I couldn’t be bothered to keep going through the process of replacing them, pointless. I sold that one and bought my current DB9, 2009 model and I have owed her for 2 years and ever since I bought her, the headlights form constant condensation. Like you guys, I have looked for a solution and after much searching, the AM Upgrades venting kit looks like a winner, I spoke with Aston Installations in Tewkesbury, they also fit them and they have had excellent results so I have decided to buy one, I will update you in a couple of weeks time and let you know the results, talk soon.
mwalsh7777 said:
Hi All, I am new on Pistonheads so please forgive me if I do something wrong. I owned a V8 Vantage for 3 years, always had condensation and worst of all, I had to pay for a new headlight, ouch. I too tried silica bags plus Gortex patches, slightly better and then it comes back, I couldn’t be bothered to keep going through the process of replacing them, pointless. I sold that one and bought my current DB9, 2009 model and I have owed her for 2 years and ever since I bought her, the headlights form constant condensation. Like you guys, I have looked for a solution and after much searching, the AM Upgrades venting kit looks like a winner, I spoke with Aston Installations in Tewkesbury, they also fit them and they have had excellent results so I have decided to buy one, I will update you in a couple of weeks time and let you know the results, talk soon.
The AMUprgades kit is just a no brainer, it does exactly what it says it does, is really easy to install and in the make up of things low cost. Fitted mine 12 months ago, never had an issue since 👍🏻Same here. I got it installed by my dealer. Why would it invalidate warranty if you have one?
If something would occur to the car that would be taken care of by warranty free of charge how would the installation of a venting kit invalidate it. Surely it must be proven that the venting kit has played a role in the item failing. I can’t see that happening.
If something would occur to the car that would be taken care of by warranty free of charge how would the installation of a venting kit invalidate it. Surely it must be proven that the venting kit has played a role in the item failing. I can’t see that happening.
CSK1 said:
Same here. I got it installed by my dealer. Why would it invalidate warranty if you have one?
If something would occur to the car that would be taken care of by warranty free of charge how would the installation of a venting kit invalidate it. Surely it must be proven that the venting kit has played a role in the item failing. I can’t see that happening.
I am asking because from prior experience - albeit with another marque - any work of this nature was often deemed to be a contributing cause to rejecting warranty claims, especially electrical ones. Case in point - dash cam fitment. Having to go through a rigmarole of proving/disproving it's potential impact becomes a total, and needless, pain. Good to see AM appears more measured in this respect. If something would occur to the car that would be taken care of by warranty free of charge how would the installation of a venting kit invalidate it. Surely it must be proven that the venting kit has played a role in the item failing. I can’t see that happening.
Hi All, I have spoken to several owners who have had the venting kit fitted and Aston Martin dealers have fitted them for them, an Aston dealer doesn’t want to spend out on replacement headlights when they sell a car so I am sure they will be keen on the solution to solve possible warranty issues, when I part exchanged my V8 Vantage for a DB9, the Aston dealer gave me full part ex value as he said the venting kit would save possible headlight problems and is a selling point too especially as prospective purchasers know of the problems. It’s a no brainier, happy weekend guys.
DB9 VENTING KIT
Hi everyone, as promised, please find an update on my new DB9 AM Upgrade venting kit. When it arrived, nicely boxed, an excellent installation manual, all of the parts are individually wrapped/numbered and installation took me an hour and a quarter, basically, VERY easy, the connectors were the push together type just like the type found in an engine bay.
Now for the test - I usually have the condensation start during/after a drive, it goes ballistic when I wash the car after a drive. I connected one light only, drove/returned, misting started in the unconnected light unit, all clear in the one with a fan. Washed the car, the unconnected totally misted up, the one with the fan totally clear. I connected the second fan and about an hour later all clear. A week on, I have used the car several times, cold, wet and sunny, NO Condensation, what a success, I can not believe the difference, it is lovely to return to the car and see the lights are clear, no more people pointing at them or saying “hey mate, what’s wrong with your lights” just brilliant. One rear light to sort next.
Hi everyone, as promised, please find an update on my new DB9 AM Upgrade venting kit. When it arrived, nicely boxed, an excellent installation manual, all of the parts are individually wrapped/numbered and installation took me an hour and a quarter, basically, VERY easy, the connectors were the push together type just like the type found in an engine bay.
Now for the test - I usually have the condensation start during/after a drive, it goes ballistic when I wash the car after a drive. I connected one light only, drove/returned, misting started in the unconnected light unit, all clear in the one with a fan. Washed the car, the unconnected totally misted up, the one with the fan totally clear. I connected the second fan and about an hour later all clear. A week on, I have used the car several times, cold, wet and sunny, NO Condensation, what a success, I can not believe the difference, it is lovely to return to the car and see the lights are clear, no more people pointing at them or saying “hey mate, what’s wrong with your lights” just brilliant. One rear light to sort next.
mwalsh7777 said:
DB9 VENTING KIT
Hi everyone, as promised, please find an update on my new DB9 AM Upgrade venting kit. When it arrived, nicely boxed, an excellent installation manual, all of the parts are individually wrapped/numbered and installation took me an hour and a quarter, basically, VERY easy, the connectors were the push together type just like the type found in an engine bay.
Now for the test - I usually have the condensation start during/after a drive, it goes ballistic when I wash the car after a drive. I connected one light only, drove/returned, misting started in the unconnected light unit, all clear in the one with a fan. Washed the car, the unconnected totally misted up, the one with the fan totally clear. I connected the second fan and about an hour later all clear. A week on, I have used the car several times, cold, wet and sunny, NO Condensation, what a success, I can not believe the difference, it is lovely to return to the car and see the lights are clear, no more people pointing at them or saying “hey mate, what’s wrong with your lights” just brilliant. One rear light to sort next.
Glad to hear all went well and the fantastic results, I attended "Simply Aston" at Beaulieu a couple of weeks ago, slightly damp, at least 70% of the Astons had misting headlights, one Vantage was streaming with moisture, if you haven’t got one of the venting kits and you get the misting, I would recommend getting one, good luck all.Hi everyone, as promised, please find an update on my new DB9 AM Upgrade venting kit. When it arrived, nicely boxed, an excellent installation manual, all of the parts are individually wrapped/numbered and installation took me an hour and a quarter, basically, VERY easy, the connectors were the push together type just like the type found in an engine bay.
Now for the test - I usually have the condensation start during/after a drive, it goes ballistic when I wash the car after a drive. I connected one light only, drove/returned, misting started in the unconnected light unit, all clear in the one with a fan. Washed the car, the unconnected totally misted up, the one with the fan totally clear. I connected the second fan and about an hour later all clear. A week on, I have used the car several times, cold, wet and sunny, NO Condensation, what a success, I can not believe the difference, it is lovely to return to the car and see the lights are clear, no more people pointing at them or saying “hey mate, what’s wrong with your lights” just brilliant. One rear light to sort next.
Dave Aston said:
Glad to hear all went well and the fantastic results, I attended "Simply Aston" at Beaulieu a couple of weeks ago, slightly damp, at least 70% of the Astons had misting headlights, one Vantage was streaming with moisture, if you haven’t got one of the venting kits and you get the misting, I would recommend getting one, good luck all.
I too attended the Simply Aston and you were right, many of the Astons had misted headlights, glad to say mine with the venting kit didn’t, we should sort a parking area next time for Astons with clear headlights.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff