Headlight Condensation

[bogie]

bullet7 said:

bogie said:

I guess if headlight condensation is acknowledged as "normal" in the operating manual, it saves a lot of warranty claims.....

Would that mean if you took the manual to the MOT station with you, they would pass it if the lights had condensation in them.........

You could give it a try, tell the MOT guy "it should clear in 10 minutes"

[ds666]

I've just had the kit delivered from AM Upgrades and I must say it is a very professionally presented product . I look forward to installing it .
Its great that you guys have the skills to do your own but I know my diy limits ...

[BlackV8]

bogie said:

You could give it a try, tell the MOT guy "it should clear in 10 minutes"

... good one bogie

[Mark6767]

Hi All,
I bought a V12 Vantage several weeks ago (Currently they are a buyers market), haven’t had a chance to use her, started it up yesterday and although it has been dry, condensation formed on the lights, I couldn’t be leave it so I have contacted AM Upgrades and they are happy to sort a kit for me, sad to say it isn’t a good time due to the coronavirus but as I am stuck at home, I will have the time to fit it, stay safe guys.

[bogie]

Well its 4 months on and I've not noticed any condensation for a few months now, maybe its just the weather, or the goretex patch on rear of headlamp cover is really working, letting moisture get out of the headlamp enclosure.

[JohnV8V]

bogie said:

Well its 4 months on and I've not noticed any condensation for a few months now, maybe its just the weather, or the goretex patch on rear of headlamp cover is really working, letting moisture get out of the headlamp enclosure.

Hi Bogie,

Sorry to say the Gortex will not help in the wet and colder weather, I have tried it all plus silicon bags. The Gortex will help equalise pressure but it will not remove the moist air, this will wreck the electrical items/contacts/ LED,S, you need to remove the damp, hope it helps.

[bogie]

JohnV8V said:

bogie said:

Well its 4 months on and I've not noticed any condensation for a few months now, maybe its just the weather, or the goretex patch on rear of headlamp cover is really working, letting moisture get out of the headlamp enclosure.

Hi Bogie,

Sorry to say the Gortex will not help in the wet and colder weather, I have tried it all plus silicon bags. The Gortex will help equalise pressure but it will not remove the moist air, this will wreck the electrical items/contacts/ LED,S, you need to remove the damp, hope it helps.

My headlights seemed pretty marginal anyway, they were not that bad over the last 4 years since Ive had this car, just a little bit now and then. This winter had a bit of persistent condensation and decided to try something. Strangely enough my first 2006 Vantage never suffered, it didn't have HID though, just regular bulbs. Will see what its like this winter.....

[goatherder2001]

bogie said:

I guess if headlight condensation is acknowledged as "normal" in the operating manual, it saves a lot of warranty claims.....

To be fair, a main dealer "fixed" mine under warranty no issues. No doubt the £700 silica bags won't work for long but so long as they are covering it..

[bogie]

goatherder2001 said:

bogie said:

I guess if headlight condensation is acknowledged as "normal" in the operating manual, it saves a lot of warranty claims.....

To be fair, a main dealer "fixed" mine under warranty no issues. No doubt the £700 silica bags won't work for long but so long as they are covering it..

What was the fix ?

[goatherder2001]

bogie said:

goatherder2001 said:

bogie said:

I guess if headlight condensation is acknowledged as "normal" in the operating manual, it saves a lot of warranty claims.....

To be fair, a main dealer "fixed" mine under warranty no issues. No doubt the £700 silica bags won't work for long but so long as they are covering it..

What was the fix ?

They just said they were using silica bags. It was just before the shut down and my mind was focused elsewhere so I didn't get all the details

[Mark6767]

Hi All, just to update you,
I received the Venting Kit a couple of weeks ago but haven’t had time to fit (Painting and decorating). I started the car up yesterday on a cool, damp/wet day, typically condensation formed, so I decided to fit the venting kit in the afternoon, very easy and neat installation. I didn’t fit the fuse, I ran the engine as a test, the condensation formed again, not a lot but it was there, I then put the fuse in, approx 15 minutes later, all the condensation went. As an extra test, I left the car out last night, huge downpour, very wet this morning, switched the engine on, ran for 10-15 minutes, no condensation, fantastic. It is hard to explain to people the annoyance of having condensation spoil the look of such a beautiful car, it ends up being the part people look at and comment on, it isn’t good for Aston Martin to have this reputation, they should have sorted this from the start.

Take care all and please stay safe, I am feeling the need for speed.......

[Milky400]

Mark6767 said:

Hi All, just to update you,
I received the Venting Kit a couple of weeks ago but haven’t had time to fit (Painting and decorating). I started the car up yesterday on a cool, damp/wet day, typically condensation formed, so I decided to fit the venting kit in the afternoon, very easy and neat installation. I didn’t fit the fuse, I ran the engine as a test, the condensation formed again, not a lot but it was there, I then put the fuse in, approx 15 minutes later, all the condensation went. As an extra test, I left the car out last night, huge downpour, very wet this morning, switched the engine on, ran for 10-15 minutes, no condensation, fantastic. It is hard to explain to people the annoyance of having condensation spoil the look of such a beautiful car, it ends up being the part people look at and comment on, it isn’t good for Aston Martin to have this reputation, they should have sorted this from the start.

Take care all and please stay safe, I am feeling the need for speed.......

Have you a link through to the venting kit? I’d be interested to see what’s it’s about.

[JonnyCJ]

Milky400 said:

Have you a link through to the venting kit? I’d be interested to see what’s it’s about.

Have a full read through of the thread - some useful background as well as a link to the supplier and a DIY if you're so inclined.

[Mark6767]

Milky400 said:

Have you a link through to the venting kit? I’d be interested to see what’s it’s about.

Hi Milky400,

you can email for details at [e-mail]
Tell them if you have a V8 or V12, good luck.

Well worth it, take care.

[johns355]

I installed the amupgrade venting kit too, about a month ago. I didn’t suffer very much condensation before but I thought if I don’t do something about it I’d be hacked off if a light did go sometime in the future. A couple of hours labour- sorted, the instructions are brilliant, an idiot like me can do it! I think it’s quite cool when you hear the little fans over-run when you’ve turned the engine off, and also I feel it’s a very good selling point for the next owner as and when I sell the car.

[Petrol Power]

Hi Johns355,

you are totally right plus the saleability is a plus side, I sold my Vantage back in December (I now have another one as I love them), the guy had looked at a couple before mine, both had condensation in the lights which put him off, mine had the venting kit and pleased to say, he bought her.
Cant wait for this Covid to pass so we can have a proper drive, stay safe everyone.

[johns355]

Petrol Power said:

Hi Johns355,

you are totally right plus the saleability is a plus side, I sold my Vantage back in December (I now have another one as I love them), the guy had looked at a couple before mine, both had condensation in the lights which put him off, mine had the venting kit and pleased to say, he bought her.
Cant wait for this Covid to pass so we can have a proper drive, stay safe everyone.

👍

[ds666]

Petrol Power said:

Cant wait for this Covid to pass so we can have a proper drive, stay safe everyone.

"Essential journey sir ? " , " Certainly officer , checking my headlights don't get condensation " , surely that would work ?
Mmm , worth a try .

[vernierMike]

An elderly relative, requiring essential deliveries is always worthwhile... my 88 year old Mother (who is very sharp and sprightly albeit isolated) offered a covering story, self-primed to swear that delivered of milk, bread and eggs have just been made. I alternate bikes and cars... but really, best make sure they are essential trips, especially now...

[ds666]

My elderly mother is 320miles away from me . Not sure I could count that as an essential trip . It would double the mileage in my vantage since I bought it 3 months ago thou . Worth a try .