DB9 headlight vent kit DIY
Discussion
After a few happy hours last night sat inside the nearside wheel arch (air filter changing, fitting stone guard and inspecting lights), I can report that there are indeed 2 x different styles of headlight.
One uses the rubber bungs as in Gav's posts and the other, which I have, has a hard plastic cover, fixed with 2 x knurled bolts.
Access is through the inspection hatch in the wheel arch, unless you take the whole arch liner out, and it make life very simple to get to the back of the light without removing the wheel or arch liner.
Just need to investigate whether the fan can mount simply to the back of the housing.
Will report back once parts arrive.
Nb - I can highly recommend the fit and finish of the Blue Print air filters. Look pretty much exactly like OEM.
One uses the rubber bungs as in Gav's posts and the other, which I have, has a hard plastic cover, fixed with 2 x knurled bolts.
Access is through the inspection hatch in the wheel arch, unless you take the whole arch liner out, and it make life very simple to get to the back of the light without removing the wheel or arch liner.
Just need to investigate whether the fan can mount simply to the back of the housing.
Will report back once parts arrive.
Nb - I can highly recommend the fit and finish of the Blue Print air filters. Look pretty much exactly like OEM.
JonnyCJ said:
After a few happy hours last night sat inside the nearside wheel arch (air filter changing, fitting stone guard and inspecting lights), I can report that there are indeed 2 x different styles of headlight.
One uses the rubber bungs as in Gav's posts and the other, which I have, has a hard plastic cover, fixed with 2 x knurled bolts.
Sound similar to the Vantage's headlights hard plastic cover, fixed with 2 x knurled bolts.One uses the rubber bungs as in Gav's posts and the other, which I have, has a hard plastic cover, fixed with 2 x knurled bolts.
Did you take a picture?
Looking forward to the Vantage build!TR-Spider said:
JonnyCJ said:
After a few happy hours last night sat inside the nearside wheel arch (air filter changing, fitting stone guard and inspecting lights), I can report that there are indeed 2 x different styles of headlight.
One uses the rubber bungs as in Gav's posts and the other, which I have, has a hard plastic cover, fixed with 2 x knurled bolts.
Sound similar to the Vantage's headlights hard plastic cover, fixed with 2 x knurled bolts.One uses the rubber bungs as in Gav's posts and the other, which I have, has a hard plastic cover, fixed with 2 x knurled bolts.
Did you take a picture?
Anyone else struggling to upload ?
Edited by JonnyCJ on Tuesday 5th November 19:08
Jonny,
It's still in the making - one of these longer term projects. Haven't tried it yet.
And of course the project was recently inspired by the likes of
AMupgrades (who sell a vent kit for the Vantage which has had excellent reviews) and
Gavin, our thread starter with his nice documentation.
Will finish during this winter, I think...
It's still in the making - one of these longer term projects. Haven't tried it yet.
And of course the project was recently inspired by the likes of
AMupgrades (who sell a vent kit for the Vantage which has had excellent reviews) and
Gavin, our thread starter with his nice documentation.
Will finish during this winter, I think...
Good stuff - will hopefully post photos of my project if the system allows me.
Ordered some 40mm fans.
It looks like you'll be positioning the fans on the inside of the casing ? that would mean routing the power cable back through the casing.
Grommets online supply lots of different grommets and they'll even send you a couple of samples so you can choose the correct one. Very handy when doing a small project ;-)
https://www.grommets.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6LCl...
https://www.grommets.co.uk/products/
Ordered some 40mm fans.
It looks like you'll be positioning the fans on the inside of the casing ? that would mean routing the power cable back through the casing.
Grommets online supply lots of different grommets and they'll even send you a couple of samples so you can choose the correct one. Very handy when doing a small project ;-)
https://www.grommets.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6LCl...
https://www.grommets.co.uk/products/
I could do a test today, had some light fogging on the inside front corners, where the LED strip sits.
So mounted the vented cover started the fan and after 10 minutes all condensation was gone. Looking good!
Probably it would take less time, if the fans are installed permanently and run during driving.
However its clear (!) that an afterrun of the fans is needed after stopping the car.
From the way the condensation disappeared on some locations faster than others,
I think some baffels in the fan area could help guiding the air flow.
So mounted the vented cover started the fan and after 10 minutes all condensation was gone. Looking good!
Probably it would take less time, if the fans are installed permanently and run during driving.
However its clear (!) that an afterrun of the fans is needed after stopping the car.
From the way the condensation disappeared on some locations faster than others,
I think some baffels in the fan area could help guiding the air flow.
Hi All,
Sorry to resurrect this old thread once more, but I'm very keen to do this mod to my V8V.
I have read through all the threads to make these myself and have source all components fans, cable, connectors, thermo switch etc and even the plastic rear covers of the lights too (good ol' eBay).
I've modelled mine up just like the AMUpgrades ones, one fan with a filter shield etc and then at the opposite end a pipe that acts like a 'chimney', which I saw on a youtube video of them being fitted (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSAvd8bq108).
But, I do have just one question, does the fan draw the air from the light or blow the air in? From looking at the way the fans are fitted, it looks like the air is being drawn out by the fan, but I just wanted to check with the experts
Many thanks.
Sorry to resurrect this old thread once more, but I'm very keen to do this mod to my V8V.
I have read through all the threads to make these myself and have source all components fans, cable, connectors, thermo switch etc and even the plastic rear covers of the lights too (good ol' eBay).
I've modelled mine up just like the AMUpgrades ones, one fan with a filter shield etc and then at the opposite end a pipe that acts like a 'chimney', which I saw on a youtube video of them being fitted (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSAvd8bq108).
But, I do have just one question, does the fan draw the air from the light or blow the air in? From looking at the way the fans are fitted, it looks like the air is being drawn out by the fan, but I just wanted to check with the experts
Many thanks.
I have my fans blowing into the headlight light unit with a slightly restrictive exhaust to try and prevent dead air spots. I haven't seen the AMupgrades chimney vent, but from the description, you'll definitely want to blow air in with the fan. Do make sure the chimney vent has a filter also to prevent bugs entering the headlight.
8Tech said:
It looks as if you have put a lot of effort into solving the problem so congrats and due respect for that, but wonder if you have over complicated it, risking individual component failure.
Why the thermo couple? Why a controller at all?
Why not simply run the 12V fans from a switched live so that they function when the car is driven? There just seems a lot of very cheap electronics in an environment they were not designed for. (computer cabinets etc)
I considered this when I replaced my coil packs. Speaking to MSD at the SEMA show, they said the greatest cause of coil failure on modern vehicles is heat, caused by the cosmetic covers fitted to make the engine look pretty. I can see that because in my everyday work, the main coil failures are seen on VW, BMW, Fords and Vauxhall's, all of which use plastic coil covers to beautify the engine bay.
At the time of replacing my coils as a preventative measure, replacing the plugs and installing an oil catch tank system on the breathers, I did not allow myself the extra time to positively vent the coil chambers with the 12V micro fans. Maybe next time.
8Tech.
at risk of looking negative, +1 to the above from 8tech. I suspect the first thing to fail will be the controller, which I suspect is just not designed to live under a cars bonnet next to a fire breathing V12.Why the thermo couple? Why a controller at all?
Why not simply run the 12V fans from a switched live so that they function when the car is driven? There just seems a lot of very cheap electronics in an environment they were not designed for. (computer cabinets etc)
I considered this when I replaced my coil packs. Speaking to MSD at the SEMA show, they said the greatest cause of coil failure on modern vehicles is heat, caused by the cosmetic covers fitted to make the engine look pretty. I can see that because in my everyday work, the main coil failures are seen on VW, BMW, Fords and Vauxhall's, all of which use plastic coil covers to beautify the engine bay.
At the time of replacing my coils as a preventative measure, replacing the plugs and installing an oil catch tank system on the breathers, I did not allow myself the extra time to positively vent the coil chambers with the 12V micro fans. Maybe next time.
8Tech.
I do admire the initiative and drive for perfection though
Thanks NoGrip,
Its good to know that's how you have done it..
I have (ahem) secured some of the missus old tights and cannibalised them into filter sheets both on the filter that sits in front of the fan and the end of the chimney
I hadn't seen the chimney thingy until I saw the video of the guy fitting it and basically, from what I can see, it routes the exhaust away rather than exiting immediately from that back of the cover, how good that is, is yet to be seen.
I am looking at driving the fans from inside, ie. a controller unit in the passenger footwell area with a timer that switches off after 15 mins, or something like that. But that's only if I can route the cables into there easily !
Its good to know that's how you have done it..
I have (ahem) secured some of the missus old tights and cannibalised them into filter sheets both on the filter that sits in front of the fan and the end of the chimney
I hadn't seen the chimney thingy until I saw the video of the guy fitting it and basically, from what I can see, it routes the exhaust away rather than exiting immediately from that back of the cover, how good that is, is yet to be seen.
I am looking at driving the fans from inside, ie. a controller unit in the passenger footwell area with a timer that switches off after 15 mins, or something like that. But that's only if I can route the cables into there easily !
""Why the thermo couple? Why a controller at all?""
To manage a running delay time after the car is parked.
The temperature of the water (hose) is just an easy way to do it.
Probably one could use a timer-relay for that purpose as well.
The reasoning behind it (IMO) is the increased temperature of the air inside the headlight during operation.
Hot air can hold more moisture - if it cools down, the moisture will fall out and condensate on the internals.
By continuing the venting, that process is reduced.
To manage a running delay time after the car is parked.
The temperature of the water (hose) is just an easy way to do it.
Probably one could use a timer-relay for that purpose as well.
The reasoning behind it (IMO) is the increased temperature of the air inside the headlight during operation.
Hot air can hold more moisture - if it cools down, the moisture will fall out and condensate on the internals.
By continuing the venting, that process is reduced.
TR-Spider said:
The reasoning behind it (IMO) is the increased temperature of the air inside the headlight during operation.
Hot air can hold more moisture - if it cools down, the moisture will fall out and condensate on the internals.
By continuing the venting, that process is reduced.
I think you are bang on there TR-Spider, definitely need to keep the fans running for a while afterwards otherwise it doesn't clear enough, I have the thermostat controller ready, but also fancy trying a timer to switch it completely off after a while, hence hooking it up to a point in the internal fusebox.Hot air can hold more moisture - if it cools down, the moisture will fall out and condensate on the internals.
By continuing the venting, that process is reduced.
Oh one other thing, looking at your photos, and the way the fan is orientated, it looks like your fan is drawing the air out of the headlight, is that right?
mad gadget said:
Oh one other thing, looking at your photos, and the way the fan is orientated, it looks like your fan is drawing the air out of the headlight, is that right?
The Pic were taken during a trial-fit. In the end I mounted the fans to push the air in, hoping that the air flow would thus penetrate further into the (rather large) volume.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff