Headlight Condensation
Discussion
JonnyCJ said:
Not sure I understand the reasoning behind the expanded metal - surely it’s opening the back of the headlights and all the stuff behind the liner to the elements. Given the volume of water that can be chucked up in that area surely it’s a recipe for disaster further down the line.
I’m probably missing something very obvious, but my philosophy would be to keep all of the headlight area as dry as possible ?
I was surprised to see my car also has this mesh panel... Did anyone ever discover why AM went in this direction.. As stated above, surely it just lets water and dirt in to areas where you really don't want it to go.. I’m probably missing something very obvious, but my philosophy would be to keep all of the headlight area as dry as possible ?
ZT260SE said:
Hi both,
When I was exchanging messages with Ian, he asked me what type I had.
He mentioned that V12vs typically had the “mesh” type cover, which is what you have I think.
He asked me as some v8’s had them too (I guess as the VH Vantage neared its end).
Hope that helps. David
Thanks David .. I guess I’m left wondering why… I think there was a suggestion earlier in the thread that it aided with clearing the condensation. If so it certainly doesn’t work on mine lol. When I was exchanging messages with Ian, he asked me what type I had.
He mentioned that V12vs typically had the “mesh” type cover, which is what you have I think.
He asked me as some v8’s had them too (I guess as the VH Vantage neared its end).
Hope that helps. David
My V12S also had the mesh, when I asked about it at a garage service, the technician thought it was just another way to draw hot air out of the engine bay when on the move, but he felt it was pointless, too small to help and worst of all, the water/mud sprayed up by the tyres would cover the light caps/electrics causing possible problems. The Aston technicians I think have been told not to say there is a headlight condensation problem, just say “its one of those things”, I say “get a venting kit” problem solved.
SHIFTY said:
Strange the bit of mesh behind the headlight was not on my earlier 2012 Vantage but is on my 2017 Vantage.
Must be an improvement but cannot see how, before anyone notices the tab that is showing as not fitted correctly has now been fitted correctly.
That mesh is definitely not an improvement because it doesn't stop the headlight condensation problem but, more importantly, does allow water and muck thrown up by the wheel to exit the arch liner and contaminate all the electrical stuff (including the lights) behind there. My advice would be to get a headlight venting kit (works perfectly even when driving through the hideous British winter) and change the access panels to the old solid version.Must be an improvement but cannot see how, before anyone notices the tab that is showing as not fitted correctly has now been fitted correctly.
Or just retire now and move to the south of France although I suspect it does rain there occasionally too. Rather off topic now but for those from the UK that do now live in France, are you completely bilingual or do you take the approach of those that move to the south of Spain and just shout louder in English until someone that speaks English hears you? My holiday French is OK but not good enough to live there for half of the year. Just not sure I'm good enough at languages to learn it properly at my age.
V8V Pete said:
SHIFTY said:
Strange the bit of mesh behind the headlight was not on my earlier 2012 Vantage but is on my 2017 Vantage.
Must be an improvement but cannot see how, before anyone notices the tab that is showing as not fitted correctly has now been fitted correctly.
That mesh is definitely not an improvement because it doesn't stop the headlight condensation problem but, more importantly, does allow water and muck thrown up by the wheel to exit the arch liner and contaminate all the electrical stuff (including the lights) behind there. My advice would be to get a headlight venting kit (works perfectly even when driving through the hideous British winter) and change the access panels to the old solid version.Must be an improvement but cannot see how, before anyone notices the tab that is showing as not fitted correctly has now been fitted correctly.
Or just retire now and move to the south of France although I suspect it does rain there occasionally too. Rather off topic now but for those from the UK that do now live in France, are you completely bilingual or do you take the approach of those that move to the south of Spain and just shout louder in English until someone that speaks English hears you? My holiday French is OK but not good enough to live there for half of the year. Just not sure I'm good enough at languages to learn it properly at my age.
Re France... I get by, my French is appalling .. I stayed out there for 6 months and it improved.. but like a muscle, if you don't use it, you lose it.
I think the issue with creating one for the rear lights is how you would vent them.
They effectively bolt straight onto the body panel at the back, so you could have to cut a hole in maybe the bottom of the light, fit a fan in it and cut the same hole in your bodywork for it to push air through, probably creating even more issues. Not going to happen.
They effectively bolt straight onto the body panel at the back, so you could have to cut a hole in maybe the bottom of the light, fit a fan in it and cut the same hole in your bodywork for it to push air through, probably creating even more issues. Not going to happen.
Hi All, I just received an AM Upgrade February special offer, they are including a 3 year total warranty worth 60 quid with all venting kits, worth a look, it shows how reliable they are, this is the email amupgrades@gmail.com
Best be quick as it says it will run until 1st march 2024.
Best be quick as it says it will run until 1st march 2024.
Hi all, I just bought a custom controller for my V8 Vantage from amupgrades, it works really well, I often park the car outside and she gets a lot of the rain so a longer fan run clears all the light unit and in summer, I will turn it down so there is a shorter run ready for those humid mornings or when I wash the car, they use to mist up, now I can turn the fans on without running the car, perfect solution. I did check but they only have them for the V8 (lack of space in the V12 engine bays). A good option to have.
Dave Aston said:
Hi all, I just bought a custom controller for my V8 Vantage from amupgrades, it works really well, I often park the car outside and she gets a lot of the rain so a longer fan run clears all the light unit and in summer, I will turn it down so there is a shorter run ready for those humid mornings or when I wash the car, they use to mist up, now I can turn the fans on without running the car, perfect solution. I did check but they only have them for the V8 (lack of space in the V12 engine bays). A good option to have.
Totally agree, a worth while addition, full control. The way the weather is at the moment, I am so glad I have the venting system fitted, the build up of moisture and the decaying of the internal electronics is staggering if you don’t have one. Roll on summer.I think I should be on commission, on a wet day here in the UK, I parked my Vantage outside a coffee house (shouldn’t say the name) and when I returned to it a guy came over and asked how come my headlights were clear, “simple" I said, "a venting kit” , I told him to look on Pistonheads for more details, I now wanted to go as I was getting quite wet, so if he decides to buy one, I think I should have some commission, that would be nice, more coffee and cinnamon swirls, yummy.
My headlamp vent kit arrived today. Ian at AM Upgrades was an absolute pleasure to deal with and the kit looks extremely well made. The Instructions in particular are worth a mention - multi page full-colour A4 spiral-bound booklet with loads of helpful, hi-res photos.
Just need a dry-ish weekend to get the wheels off and fit them (can’t be done in my 8ft wide single garage…)
Just need a dry-ish weekend to get the wheels off and fit them (can’t be done in my 8ft wide single garage…)
Nigel_O said:
My headlamp vent kit arrived today. Ian at AM Upgrades was an absolute pleasure to deal with and the kit looks extremely well made. The Instructions in particular are worth a mention - multi page full-colour A4 spiral-bound booklet with loads of helpful, hi-res photos.
Just need a dry-ish weekend to get the wheels off and fit them (can’t be done in my 8ft wide single garage…)
You don’t need to take the wheels off to fit the kit - it can be done with them on . Just need a dry-ish weekend to get the wheels off and fit them (can’t be done in my 8ft wide single garage…)
Just fitted mine yesterday I did take the wheels off as gave me a reason to clean them and put some wheel protector on.
Quite easy to fit a little fiddly around the positive connection I covered the wrench in insulating tape as it's very near to the inlet manifold.
Not hoping for rain but let's see when the heavens open.
Quite easy to fit a little fiddly around the positive connection I covered the wrench in insulating tape as it's very near to the inlet manifold.
Not hoping for rain but let's see when the heavens open.
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