Condensation in Headlamps Again!

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Philip, Jan 5, 2004.

  1. Philip

    Philip Guest

    Hi

    You might recall I had problems with condensation in my headlamps on my year
    old Astra (completely new to me as not had the car long).

    Originally it started off as a bit of condensation then gradually got worse
    until it was dripping on the inside of the glass, and this affected both
    headlamps.

    Anyway new headlamps were fitted by the Vauxhall dealer free of charge under
    warranty. Even when they were brand new on a dry day, I arrived home
    (headlights had been on and the car hadn't been wetted at anytime upto
    then), and there was a small amount of condensation! This seemed to clear
    up, although sometimes I would notice a bit of condensation at the extreme
    edges using the car with headlamps on since then.

    A few weeks on and after the car has been sat idle over the Xmas holidays, I
    arrive home from work today to notice yet again condensation appearing.

    Now I had taken advice from before about the rubber bungs that are used to
    adjust the height of the bonnet when it sits closed, and did adjust them
    downwards slightly so the bonnet sits slightly hirer. Comparing my car to
    an almost identical friends Astra who never gets condensation in the
    headlamps, I can not really see any difference between the way the bonnet
    sits between our two cars, and the rubber seals around the headlamps are
    identical and fitting the same way.

    However there is one difference, my headlights are sportyish ones, by that I
    mean inside they are not all silver as my friends, but are black plastic,
    with only silver reflectors immediately around the bulbs. I am wondering if
    this black plastic is absorbing the heat from the headlamps so heating them
    inside, making a bigger temperature difference between the air in the
    headlamp and the cold hitting them from outside. Even that seems odd as
    without water in the headlamp in the first place, the heat would simply dry
    the air (relatively) anyway, so it isn't adding water, but might make water
    migrate to glass and stay there, with the atmosphere providing more for the
    next journey.

    Any advice, I really do not want to see water building up in the headlights,
    and if they are continually damp I will end up with green mould growing
    inside, and it is silly to be getting new headlamps every couple of months!

    Regards

    Philip
     
    Philip, Jan 5, 2004
    #1
  2. Philip

    steve Guest

    water is clearly getting in there somehow, it might pay to completely remove
    the headlamps, take them indoors and completely dry them out, and then seal
    every possible water entry point, its more likely that its getting in around
    the glass lens since this area is open to the elements,
    i don't know if vauxhall have a common problem with poor glass seals but it
    wouldnt hurt to purchase some good clear sealant and apply a good coating
    around the rim of the glass.
    regards.
    steve.
     
    steve, Jan 6, 2004
    #2
  3. Philip

    Philip Guest

    Hi

    Thanks, I will give that a go at the weekend.

    Regards

    Philip
     
    Philip, Jan 6, 2004
    #3
  4. Philip

    R. Murphy Guest

    I found seek 'n seal to do a good job on headlamps
     
    R. Murphy, Jan 6, 2004
    #4
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