melted headlight refractors - now with pics

[Dom Sweeten]

My indicator bulb went today so I whipped out a spare to put in but to my surprise I noticed that the refractors on both sides have started to melt out of shape!!!
The top area is now sitting so it touches the indicator bulb.
Also made it hard to remove the blown bulb.
Bad Times!!

Has anyone else had this issue at all?

Will get pics up tomorrow

I have Silvertec bulbs in both sides. Will these cause more heat than standard bulbs?
I thought they were exactly the same just painted silver for the effect.
Surely the refractor should not melt?

Out of warranty otherwise I would shout for a new set of headlights.

 

[Dom Sweeten]

pics of melted bit.

As you can see the top parts have melted down and are now resting on the top of the bulbs.
Anyone had this before?
My gripe is that if they melt further, then I wont be able to remove bulbs without them breaking. Already had to fish out half of one bulb by putting some double sided sticky tape around the end of a bbq skewer and poking it in the gap.

Can the light units be taken apart and the refractors be taken out and replaced with new ones? I know you can't buy them unless part of a complete light unit but thinking of going to a breakers and finding some there.
Or if anyone has any they don't need...

Double check:
Were the lights for the Mk1 Leon ever updated at all with newer internals?
I have a 2004 LCR.

 

[oldman]

phew, i was looking at changing the front indicators as i changed the rear to philips silvertec and like the effect and that they are brighter than the oem

 

[lc_allan]

I thought silvertecs were standard in the cars?. My LCR had silver indicator bulbs at the front, I moved them to the back and got some Osram Diadems for the front.

 

[LEE69]

Just checked mine as i have silver bulbs aswell, but nothing like your problem is evident.
Some heat to melt the plastic.

How long have they been fitted to the car?

 

[gram1210]

No, not all had silvertec's as standard..mine had the normal orange bulbs, until I changed them that is!

 

[Dom Sweeten]

They've been in for 6 months maybe.
They shouldn't give off that much heat though as they are only on for very short intervals at a time. As above, they are exactly the same bulbs, just painted silver for effect so should be fine.
I have just had some overheating problems due to the water pump and thermostat going so maybe this caused a heat build up which spread into the lights.
I'm guessing this may well be the cause now.
Now looking for some replacement units as it is really bugging me. How particular we are about our babies hey?
Breakers wanted 40 squid a side - no chance!!
Spotted one on the bay so will get that and wait for another.
Now my HID upgrade will have to wait

 

[oldman]

pleased to know that mine are all ok then so will look at getting some for teh front now, and then do hid's at weekend.
was nightmare driving home last night on the bl00dy awful weather we have.