Headlamps...

[Simpo Two]

I'm sure this has been covered many times before but after driving home last night, as I was putting the car (2014 Vanquish) away I noticed some moisture in the headlamps. The area is quite small. Can I ignore it, or will the headlamps go wonky like DB9 rear lights do? In short, how badly do I need to get a venting kit fitted? (not something I can do myself) or is there some other way - like taking the cover off and giving it a quick wipe with kitchen roll - I'm sure nothing could be that simple.... Opinions welcomed!

[DB9S Paul]

If it happens once or twice and soon goes away after then I wouldn't worry too much, but if it happens regularly or doesn't go away quickly then I would get the venting kit. They are very easy to fit.

It shouldn't affect the headlight but can affect the sidelights/indicators and it cheaper to buy the venting kit than get the lights repaired.

[Nigel_O]

Yup - doesn’t need wet weather. Cold but humid air outside, add some heat and you get condensation.

Headlamp venting kit is the only answer, and it’s WAY cheaper than ignoring the issue

[Simpo Two]

Thanks for the input. Can it be fitted with the car on the ground? What about cutting into the electrics?

I suppose there's no way to take the clear cover off and give it a wipe...

[DB9S Paul]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks for the input. Can it be fitted with the car on the ground? What about cutting into the electrics?

On a jack with the wheel removed is enough, on the earlier versions no cutting in is needed, Not sure about the Vanquish one but I doubt if it need the wiring cutting, its a very professionally made kit

Simpo Two said:

I suppose there's no way to take the clear cover off and give it a wipe...

That means headlights out, oven or heat gun (I've done hundreds, some can be easy, some are a real pain), cleaning out, then resealing and reinstalling, adjusting and then it will just come back again anyway.

[Simpo Two]

DB9S Paul said:

On a jack with the wheel removed is enough

The snag there is that I have no way to jack the cart up or take a wheel off. I hope it's not the same as the underseal scenario where local garages won't touch it and dealers won't do it because 'it's not in the schedule'.

Simpo Two said:

I suppose there's no way to take the clear cover off and give it a wipe...

DB9S Paul said:

That means headlights out, oven or heat gun (I've done hundreds, some can be easy, some are a real pain), cleaning out, then resealing and reinstalling, adjusting and then it will just come back again anyway.

True. 25 years ago I'd have tried that sort of thing on a TVR but these days everything is too complicated.

Is this the place? https://astonkeeper.co.uk/shop/ols/categories/head...

Which part of the kit makes it £450? What with that and underseal (used to be £50, now £575) small simple things are getting ridiculous. Perhaps I should buy a jack and a wheelbrace...

[DB9S Paul]

Simpo Two said:

True. 25 years ago I'd have tried that sort of thing on a TVR but these days everything is too complicated.

Is this the place? https://astonkeeper.co.uk/shop/ols/categories/head...

Which part of the kit makes it £450? What with that and underseal (used to be £50, now £575) small simple things are getting ridiculous. Perhaps I should buy a jack and a wheelbrace...

Aston Keeper are not charging much for fitting, the Kit retails for £380 at the moment.

[bogie]

You need the venting kit, otherwise likely by next year you may have an MOT failure and need a new headlight at £1500 ....been there and got the t-shirt

I fit the venting kit myself on my previous V8, its a bit fiddly removing/refitting the headlight covers but if you turn the wheel on full lock you can fit one side, then the other way you can fit other side. No different to changing a bulb at the roadside you are just changing the rear cover on the headlight and passing through a cable. Plug n play wiring and great instructions, you cant go wrong. Took me about an hour.

[Simpo Two]

DB9S Paul said:

Aston Keeper are not charging much for fitting, the Kit retails for £380 at the moment.

Thanks, very helpful. Where are you seeing that price of £324.70?

I suspect the battery would have to be disconnected, which always fills me with dread as to what won't work afterwards. Would that be a fight under the back seat?

Why can't Aston Martin make lights that are bloody waterproof?

All my cars up to Aston: No problem with water in lights.
Two Astons - two cars with water in the lights.

[DB9S Paul]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks, very helpful. Where are you seeing that price of £324.70?

It was in an email from January direct from AMupgrades

Simpo Two said:

I suspect the battery would have to be disconnected, which always fills me with dread as to what won't work afterwards. Would that be a fight under the back seat?

Didn't need to disconnect the battery on the DB9s and Vantages I've done

Simpo Two said:

Why can't Aston Martin make lights that are bloody waterproof?

All my cars up to Aston: No problem with water in lights.
Two Astons - two cars with water in the lights.

It actually happens to lots of cars, I've had Audis and BMWs that do it, but its worse on Astons, Ferraris etc because of the large horizontal surface area of the lights.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks Paul and Bogie. I'll have to consider it; if it can be done with the battery connected and the wheels just turned round it's worth a go.

If you still have that e-mail could you forward it please?

[bogie]

No need to touch the battery. You can do it yourself on the drive just as you would remove the rear headlight covers to change a bulb at the roadside.

One my other cars gets misty lights too, another "sealed" modern LED unit, but no venting kit available. I guess LEDs dont give off much heat to help get rid of any moisture ...the lights seem sealed well enough so there is no decent airflow but not sealed enough in the first place to keep moisture out

I replaced 3 out of 4 light units on my 4.7 due to moisture ingress. The rears light units seem even worse, and still get a bit of moisture in them on my current V12V but at least the fronts have the venting kit I fit the first winter I had it.

[Simpo Two]

bogie said:

I replaced 3 out of 4 light units on my 4.7 due to moisture ingress. The rears light units seem even worse, and still get a bit of moisture in them on my current V12V but at least the fronts have the venting kit I fit the first winter I had it.

Rear lights on the Vantage/DB9/Rapide are legendary for failing; my old DB9 ate several in the four years I had it. Oddly the other rear light was OK, as were the headlights.

I'll call Astonkeeper tomorrow and see what the price is. Depending on where you look it's anywhere between £280 and £550 +VAT!

Do you think the fact my Vanquish has to live outside under a cover is a factor in this?

[bogie]

Simpo Two said:

Do you think the fact my Vanquish has to live outside under a cover is a factor in this?

Obviously being outside is not as good as being in a dehumidified garage as you get the big swings in humidity and temp. My car lives outside too and its under a cover through longer periods in winter.

I think much of the build up is due to lack of daily use. I drove my first 4.3 Vantage most days and never had any issues over 8 years. If you drive daily for 30 mins or so (with lights on) the headlights burn off the moisture each day. You leave it for a week in humid conditions and notice the build up, go for a drive but it never gets chance to clear, there is not enough airflow through the light unit so the moisture is stuck. I have used hair dryer before and warmed the light unit up but that's a temp solution, it comes back again. The venting kit works great by giving the moist air somewhere to go.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks, that makes perfect sense.

Perhaps somebody will invent headlamp heaters you can put on top of them!

[AMV8Stuart]

HI John, met you at Castle Hedingham last year. I've fitted the venting kit on both my previous Vantages, haven't done the Vanquish yet, haven't seen any moisture so far.As you are in my area you are welcome to come over and I'll fit the kit for/with you. PM me if you're interested and we can sort details.Stuart

[Purosangue]

AMV8Stuart said:

HI John, met you at Castle Hedingham last year. I've fitted the venting kit on both my previous Vantages, haven't done the Vanquish yet, haven't seen any moisture so far.

As you are in my area you are welcome to come over and I'll fit the kit for/with you. PM me if you're interested and we can sort details.

Stuart

This is what's brilliant about ph

[Simpo Two]

Hi Stuart - that's a superb offer! PM on the way.



BTW is the Astonkeeper kit the only one available? Are they a new name for AM Upgrades?

[bogie]

Aston keeper are selling/installing the AMUpgrades kits, hence their price includes installation at £699 ...think they have stock to sell you for DIY too or order direct from AMupgrades

[Apollya]

Simpo Two said:

Hi Stuart - that's a superb offer! PM on the way.



BTW is the Astonkeeper kit the only one available? Are they a new name for AM Upgrades?

I don t think Aston keepers is the only unit.

Contact Ian of AMUpgrades [e-mail] he makes I was in contact with him Christmas time this year and he sells venting kits (at least for VH2 Vantage and DB9 but he lists facelift ) very well made kit, easy to install, no cutting or splicing of wires, just a fused connection with bracket to the bonnet battery terminals, you don t even need axle stands can be done with wheels on near full lock, but of course removing wheel makes access easier. The instruction booklet is well made and step by step, so read first and have to hand while doing the job.

There are options of trading in your headlight backing plates, I chose to keep mine for small extra cost so car can be put back to stock if someone wished later on. Other advice I d give is it s probably worthwhile buying the version with upgraded timer unit so you can adjust the time delay of fans running when engine is switched off.

Otherwise for someone relatively new to spanners (although a chemical engineer) I found it easy to install without issues and communication was excellent.

I d be interested to know if AstonKeepers are same units and sold by Ian or if they are reselling/ distributing his units or have designed and built their own.

I found Ian s reasonably priced and as said a very well made kit, I’ve promoted him a lot on here (even though no affiliation other than customer) as I genuinely believe in what he offers. He ll also offer you help and advice pre-purchase.