Misty headlights

[Dr_Rick]

So, gone through the 1000mile barrier and had the service to release a little more fun. This morning I noticed the headlights were misted up a bit more than I was expecting. Are these sealed units? Should there be any condensation inside?

For context, I drove for 45mins with the headlights on and the photos are from immediately getting out of the car at work. Foggy day, quite cool but no rain. Car store in a garage overnight.

Thoughts? Figured I'd canvas for opinion before going back to the dealer.

[TheTalentedMr]

I have the previous model headlights but get exactly the same issue, even when the conditions aren't damp.

I've stopped letting it bother me now, just yet another quirk of the car.

[Shnozz]

I removed mine, took a hairdryer to them to remove all the condensation and then re-sealed around the edge of the unit using a thin bead of clear silicon.

You're still at the mercy of how good the seal is where the bulb clips in place but, so far so good, my approach has been proved successful.

[Dr_Rick]

Fair enough, but this car is 1month old. So before I go getting hair driers and silicone out, I'll have it back down to Murray for a look-see.

[Shnozz]

Not quite sure what the question was then?!

If it's identifying the issue - it's condensation.

If it's why does it happen - the seal isn't brilliant. The British weather is damp.

If it's how to fix it - see tips. However, if you've got a warranty then throw it back at the dealer and ask them to sort it. As you are doing.

[Dr_Rick]

Question was whether this was common, or whether I would be reasonable to simply fire the car back to the dealer. After all, this is my first Lotus.

Previously I've had vintage MG's which was a case of all expected deviations from normal are expected and fixes are usually effected by hammer, gaffer tape or welding.

Think an email to the dealer is the first step, then they can deal with it.

[SeanyD]

A common quirk of the car, mine does it too, it doesn't bother me enough to invest any time and effort in fixing it.

[Triple8]

My S2 did this. From memory, the handbook actually said to expect it!!

[Bebee]

Me too, I was told it's the twin oil coolers, as has been said, it doesn't bother me enough to start messing with it to put it right yet

[douglasgdmw]

If you bought from Murray's then Craig (MMC Service Manager) will see you right.

Their service dept is very good as they see a large variety of Lotus so know the common issues. Happened to my Evora and we ended up putting a couple of silicon bags that you get in new shoes to clear up the condensation. So bad seals are a known Lotus trait but sure Craig will sort you out.

George

[Dr_Rick]

douglasgdmw said:

If you bought from Murray's then Craig (MMC Service Manager) will see you right.

Their service dept is very good as they see a large variety of Lotus so know the common issues. Happened to my Evora and we ended up putting a couple of silicon bags that you get in new shoes to clear up the condensation. So bad seals are a known Lotus trait but sure Craig will sort you out.

George

I've spoken to Craig, his suggestion was that this recent warm(-ish) then cold spell has caused it. He suggested keeping an eye on it and we'll deal with it if it persists. My thought is that it could be dealt with in a couple of weeks when I get back from holiday.

If its a known fault, there should be a known fix.

[Skaffen]

I've seen it on a 458 Italia before (think it was at one of the goodwood breakfast clubs) and if you google you'll find discussion about similar issues on a few different ferrari models, so it's not just lotus .

[Chromed]

It's normal. It mentions it in the owners handbook page 109.

[Dr_Rick]

Chromed said:

It's normal. It mentions it in the owners handbook page 109.

I'm a bloke; I haven't read the instructions.

(useful to know though)

[Bebee]

^^^ I read the first line on page 1, closed it and went for a drive, not opened it since, I expect I will as it gets older.