E39 M5 Headlamp Dampness

[humpbackmaniac]

Can anyone advise on drying these out, i'm going mad, I have taken the tops off. Rather ingeniously "wick'd" most of the moisture using the good wifes kitchen towls and left them open facing the sun.

And yet still at the slightest hint of moisture they become clouded again. Where does it come in from, and how can I remove it once and for all?

I am putting a little silicone around the viewing holes when I replace the caps to ensure a good seal but still it seems to find a way in. Darned things!

[DVandrews]

The trick is to get dry air in to the units, the heat of the sun will cause the remaining moisture to evaporate but it will remain in the air and will condense when conditions get cold.

I blew cold air across the top of the opening until all the moisture was gone and then replaced the cap, it hasn't come back since.

Dave

[CarbonBlackM5]

I had the seals changed on mine a couple of times and it always came back.

The facelift lights are supposed to be the only way of fixing it (if you have a pre facelift car)

[Bada Bing!]

If they are definitely sealed properly, try putting a syringe in through the seal and sucking the air out.

[BriC175]

[quote=Turnips]Edit - Just checked the prices since I got mine over a year ago and they're £280+vat for halogen and a lot more for xenon. [quote]

All M5's are Xenon though, so for angel eyes, you're looking to pay quite a bit.

[humpbackmaniac]

Thanks guys, I think I will borrow a syringe thats a good idea. If that doesnt fix it I can fill it with Windolene and end the pain!

[M5 Russ]

BriC175]urnips said:

Edit - Just checked the prices since I got mine over a year ago and they're £280+vat for halogen and a lot more for xenon. [quote]

All M5's are Xenon though, so for angel eyes, you're looking to pay quite a bit.

Wrong. Only facelift M5's from 2001 have Xenon angel eye lights

[humpbackmaniac]

Mine has Xenons but not Angel Eye ones.

[M5 Russ]

humpbackmaniac said:

Mine has Xenons but not Angel Eye ones.

Then I think I am right in saying that you don't have M5 lights then. Most likely a previous owner changed them or purchased eBay specials. UK M5's did not have non angle eye xenon lights from the factory - ever !

[APMAUTO]

humpbackmaniac said:

Can anyone advise on drying these out, i'm going mad, I have taken the tops off. Rather ingeniously "wick'd" most of the moisture using the good wifes kitchen towls and left them open facing the sun.

And yet still at the slightest hint of moisture they become clouded again. Where does it come in from, and how can I remove it once and for all?

I am putting a little silicone around the viewing holes when I replace the caps to ensure a good seal but still it seems to find a way in. Darned things!

mine were the same the only way to cure is to fit new front lenses as the plastic lens comes away from the black plastic part that clips on to the headlamp part(usually at the indicator end)you can get a pair of genuine hella ones from eurocarparts for around £150 inc vat

[roofer]

M5 Russ said:

Then I think I am right in saying that you don't have M5 lights then. Most likely a previous owner changed them or purchased eBay specials. UK M5's did not have non angle eye xenon lights from the factory - ever !

Pre 2001 M5's had non angel Xenons, I had the same problem on mine and fitted Halogen Angel eyes with rebased H7 Xenon bulb and OEM ballasts, worked a treat and stopped me paying nearly twice as much as for Xenon Angels.

Switching the lights on for 10 minutes usually dries them out also.

[BriC175]

M5 Russ said:

Wrong. Only facelift M5's from 2001 have Xenon angel eye lights

Read my post again. I never said all M5's have Xenon angel eyes, just that they all have Xenons.

[gaz1234]

my old 330 had the same problem, you can buy the rubber and replace yourself, google e46 headlight replacement - guess e39 should be similar