Misted up headlamps

[Mike R]

who else's headlights steam up on the inside really easy, its been absolute crap weather today, i came out of work and both headlights are steamed up! i fitted h.i.d.s a few days ago but sealed the grommets in the back back casing really well and no water even gets in the engine bay so i dont know why there doin it

Does anyone elses do it?

 

[SalSheikh]

mine does this. i got some gel packs off ebay to try and cure the issue but they didnt work so i leave the covers behind loose so air circulates and no more misty headlamps.

 

[Booya]

Drill a little hole through the plastic.

 

[GlanzaV]

As above - Actually having a vent to circulate the air works better than trying to seal it entirely.

 

[Murdered LCR]

If you use silica gel like the ones that come in your trainers little White pack ,this will remove all the moisture from the lights

 

[Mike R]

Ill try drilling a couple of holes hopefully will sort it out

 

[lcrb]

If you use silica gel like the ones that come in your trainers little White pack ,this will remove all the moisture from the lights

This works a treat and also use plumbers lube/grease round edge of cover

 

[lynchy]

once drilled, leave your lights on and put some tin foil over headlights, helps dry them out

 

[andycupra]

if you seal the unit you need to somehow ensure that the air inside is dry or has a low moisture level.

Condensation is an issue when water is added or the temperature lowers and cold air can hold less moisture than warm air.
So when it rains there is potential for water ingress, or more commonly the air is cooled as the surface of the headlight is cooled bu water and air passing over it.
Much the same as windows misting when you have lots of people in the car on a cold day.
(or in the bathroom)

INCREASING AIR CIRCULATION will help.

 

[h0tr0x]

my passenger side one does but only if i nail it with the jetwash for a bit, leaving the HIDs on for a bit clears it up

 

[LEE69]

once drilled, leave your lights on and put some tin foil over headlights, helps dry them out

Not with hids they won't as hids run far cooler

 

[barry4ord]

Had this from time to time in bad weather, clears pretty quickly.
I just leave my HIDs on for while, just enough heat to get rid of the mist.

 

[andycupra]

putting headlights on means the air within the headlight unit is warmer and therefore can hold more moisture. (warmer the air the more moisture it can hold)

Then the next time the air is cooled it could reach a temperature where it condenses. - rain or washing the car should cool it nicely to achive this effect as the lense will be cold and the air that is in contact with this lowers in temp and condenses. (same effect as in the winter when you have people in the car the windows steam up)
Might well be called the 'dew point' temperature which is the temperature where air condenses which depends on a mix between air temp and humidity level.

Options are to either:
1 have a sealed unit (which is difficult given you need access to change bulbs etc and they are not really designed to be 100% sealed) but even then you would need to ensure the air within the unit is low in moiture content/humidity otherwise this wont solve the issue.
2 allow air circulation or air change, so the opposite of a sealed unit. This is commonly used in bathrooms (air extractors / windows).

The units as standard get this issue as they dont allow air circulation, but are also not 100% sealed or contain dehumidified air.

For those that turn headlights on to demist, could do well to open the rear of the unit and allow some air circulation on a dry / low humidity day before closing again. This may help prevent reoccurance, however washing the car/rain can clearly cause it to reappear if there is even the smallest leak or humidity in the air.

 

[MarkWales]

think i will start by opening mine on the next fine day

 

[Mike R]

Ive drilled 3 tiny holes in the bottom of the casing and its done the trick, theres no way water or anything can get in there so no harm done, its been pissing it down all night last nite, they would normally be steamed this morning and they havent done one bit

 

[MarkWales]

result will try this

 

[andycupra]

i talk sense sometimes

 

[KS_leon]

Misty Light

I know I'm a bit slow on the up keep, but I'm having this problem with my drivers side. Two questions.
1) Does anyone actually know how to get the whole light unit out so I can try and track down where the moisture is getting in.

failing that.

2) Where have people drilled the holes? in the back of the light casing (that you can take off) or else where.

Cheers folks

 

[LEE69]

You need to remove the bumper. No seriously you do!

 

[KS_leon]

Ahhh man, that doesn't sound fun...at all! I love this car, but honestly, lately I really want to get rid of it and upgrade to something that is less like a submarine, lol!