Fogged up headlights
Discussion
My V8V has been struggling with what appears to be cataracts.
I have raised this with my local AM dealer and have been told that there is nothing that can be done about it and that the advise from Aston Martin is to put the full beam on for 15 minutes and it will clear.
2 things - firstly I think it looks terrible and secondly 15 minutes on full beam doesn't clear it (it does reduce it but doesn't clear it), especially around the LEDs.
I am keen to understand if anyone else suffering from this and if you think it is something that I should take up with the garage and pursue through the warranty?
A local photographer was taking some photos of my car recently and the fogging became a real problem.
I have raised this with my local AM dealer and have been told that there is nothing that can be done about it and that the advise from Aston Martin is to put the full beam on for 15 minutes and it will clear.
2 things - firstly I think it looks terrible and secondly 15 minutes on full beam doesn't clear it (it does reduce it but doesn't clear it), especially around the LEDs.
I am keen to understand if anyone else suffering from this and if you think it is something that I should take up with the garage and pursue through the warranty?
A local photographer was taking some photos of my car recently and the fogging became a real problem.
Edited by V8 BYF on Thursday 4th February 13:06
The 15 minutes on main beam is bulls..t - it just does not work.
I've seen this on many V8V including my own. Silicon packs made no difference.
I park in my P+J in a garage and I wonder if the lack of airflow makes this worse?
I think it's one of those niggles that one cannot really put right :-(
I've seen this on many V8V including my own. Silicon packs made no difference.
I park in my P+J in a garage and I wonder if the lack of airflow makes this worse?
I think it's one of those niggles that one cannot really put right :-(
Common trait of all Astons from the DB7 onwards (and the only reason by the Vantage doesn't suffer is that it's headlight covers were heated).
I know the '7, and I think the Vanquish, have breather pipes that run from under the dash to the back of the light unit, and a drain pipe from the front. The idea is as the car is moving along it draws fresh air-con'd air through the unit. Never really worked. A fix that some DB7 owners have done is add a 12V computer power-supply fan. The condensation can be removed with careful use of a hairdryer - although on the '7 this could lead to blowing crap down the drain pipe and blocking it.
Maybe on the V8V/DB9 these pipes are still there and yours are blocked?
I know the '7, and I think the Vanquish, have breather pipes that run from under the dash to the back of the light unit, and a drain pipe from the front. The idea is as the car is moving along it draws fresh air-con'd air through the unit. Never really worked. A fix that some DB7 owners have done is add a 12V computer power-supply fan. The condensation can be removed with careful use of a hairdryer - although on the '7 this could lead to blowing crap down the drain pipe and blocking it.
Maybe on the V8V/DB9 these pipes are still there and yours are blocked?
.This "feature" is not exculsive to Aston Martins.
My BMW daily driver is much worse than my V8 Vantage ( BMW E36). There are also similar threads for the Mercedes SLK, Porsche 997 (and another), Porsche Boxster, Lotus Elise, and I have seen similar things mentioned for Lamborghini Gallardo's, Lexus and Ferrari 360's.
I'm sure it affects a lot of other cars too.
My BMW daily driver is much worse than my V8 Vantage ( BMW E36). There are also similar threads for the Mercedes SLK, Porsche 997 (and another), Porsche Boxster, Lotus Elise, and I have seen similar things mentioned for Lamborghini Gallardo's, Lexus and Ferrari 360's.
I'm sure it affects a lot of other cars too.
Used to suffer with my Noble. And my V8VR did it a bit too.
I thought the silica gel packs in the rear of the unit trick did work? Did on my Noble.
I think the trick is to add the packs on a hot day in summer where you can leave the units open in bright sunlight to really dry them out, then pop in the gel packs and seal up properly. That should get you through the following winter fog free.
I thought the silica gel packs in the rear of the unit trick did work? Did on my Noble.
I think the trick is to add the packs on a hot day in summer where you can leave the units open in bright sunlight to really dry them out, then pop in the gel packs and seal up properly. That should get you through the following winter fog free.
Used to suffer with my Noble. And my V8VR did it a bit too.
I thought the silica gel packs in the rear of the unit trick did work? Did on my Noble.
I think the trick is to add the packs on a hot day in summer where you can leave the units open in bright sunlight to really dry them out, then pop in the gel packs and seal up properly. That should get you through the following winter fog free.
I thought the silica gel packs in the rear of the unit trick did work? Did on my Noble.
I think the trick is to add the packs on a hot day in summer where you can leave the units open in bright sunlight to really dry them out, then pop in the gel packs and seal up properly. That should get you through the following winter fog free.
Mr Noble said:
Used to suffer with my Noble. And my V8VR did it a bit too.
I thought the silica gel packs in the rear of the unit trick did work? Did on my Noble.
I think the trick is to add the packs on a hot day in summer where you can leave the units open in bright sunlight to really dry them out, then pop in the gel packs and seal up properly. That should get you through the following winter fog free.
I had them placed in to the headlights of my N400 and the problem disappeared. I have just had the same done to the V12V, hopefully will also have cured. I will know within a few days.I thought the silica gel packs in the rear of the unit trick did work? Did on my Noble.
I think the trick is to add the packs on a hot day in summer where you can leave the units open in bright sunlight to really dry them out, then pop in the gel packs and seal up properly. That should get you through the following winter fog free.
I have a DB9 volante and the headlights have fogged up for 10 years ,i have reported it every service to Stratstone and all that has been done is to put in anothe bag of silica gel which is a very temporary fix. When the lights mist up ,usualy on a cold wet night when you absolutely need full beam the light intensity is reduced to an extent that the car would not pass a MOT lighting test The car is therefore not roadworthy and dangerous to use. Aston are aware of the problem and indeed have modified the lights on later models. Is this not a safety recall issue? In the event of a crash due to reduced visibilty the manufacturers would have to take responsibility for damage, injury and heaven forbit loss of life. I would certainly take the matter up through the courts for compensation as my complaints have been recorded. The manufactures have a 'duty of care' to supply roadworthy vehicles and ,i would assume, value their reputation for quality. They wiuld not want this evident and known defect to tarnish it.
There are a number of posts about this since it’s a typical Aston issue.
The quick and dirty way to fix it is to remove both headlights, drill a small hole in the backing and heat until dry. Fill the hole with silicon and run a light bead around the clear casing and the black backing. This should stop any moisture from entering.
The longer version is to actually heat your headlights up and remove the entire lens, dry accordingly and then reglue the lens to the black backing.
If you go with the lengthy route, there are guys that can update and customize your LED strip at that time.
The quick and dirty way to fix it is to remove both headlights, drill a small hole in the backing and heat until dry. Fill the hole with silicon and run a light bead around the clear casing and the black backing. This should stop any moisture from entering.
The longer version is to actually heat your headlights up and remove the entire lens, dry accordingly and then reglue the lens to the black backing.
If you go with the lengthy route, there are guys that can update and customize your LED strip at that time.
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