Site Manager Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Before I went to the expense of a new headlight for my focus, I thought I would ask all you clever chaps if there is an easy way to get rid of condensation inside the unit. I know if the seal is damaged eventually I will have to replace it, but I just need a temporary fix for the moment. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 whip the headlight out and put in a very low oven to dry then run a bead of silicone around the seal as a temporary fix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 low temp, not low height before some smart 🙆🏻 comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Does it have a plastic lens/body ?? Look for the Salvador Dali headlight look ! 😳 Take bulb out a blow warm air in from a hair-dryer ? Or in this weather - leave bulb out and let it dry naturally. Locate source of water ingress and seal accordingly ! 7 related photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 look on ebay for a replacement. Tweeky In a purple haze Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Manager Posted July 24, 2008 Author Share Posted July 24, 2008 Thanks guys, will start with the hairdryer, then take it from there, also drilling a small hole has been suggested to me. Never thought about sealant, good thinking batman! The water has had to have found its way in somehow, we had a serious downpour a week or two back and it was just after that I noticed the problem. The light is mostly plastic, so im not sure if im brave enough to pop it in the oven but I wonder if I could microwave it? hmmm! 😬 Another question..... is it something the police might stop me for? have driven past one or two and they have paid no attention. Thanks all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frying Pan Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Most headlight units are not sealed any more, but are designed to 'breathe' and any light condensation should disappear shortly after the dipped / main beam are turned on. Of course, if the light is full of water, then this isn't right... Condensation looks unsightly, but is not likely to do any harm, as the silver finish is over plastic rather then metal. I'd be tempted to wait until the next nice sunny day, and lift the bonnet and remove the bulbholder from the back of the unit and hopefully let it dry out fully. -----See some pictures of the build here. 14000 miles completed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Another thought - is the rubber cap fitted correctly over the rear ? Or if a snap-on plastic cover, is the seal still present ? That is often a prime cause of trouble ! Son's first car had one headlamp where it should have had 3 slits in the cap to fit snugly over the prongs on the bulb. Some previous eejit owner had cut out a circle to clear them, so the headlamp was half full of water - but amazingly still worked ! 7 related photos Edited by - Stationary M25 Traveller on 24 Jul 2008 23:34:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Manager Posted July 24, 2008 Author Share Posted July 24, 2008 I have left it a few days in the hope that having the lights on would clear it, but no joy! Where I park at work is always sunny though, I have a plan to get to work a few minutes early and whip out a sidelight bulb and leave the plastic cover off and see what happens. Its annoying as well as unsightly...if one more person says 'did you know your light is steamed up' I might be tempted to scream! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Did you know etc...... 😬 😬 J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Once the moisture is in there - it can't escape - unless there is a big hole to let it out - like rear cover off and headlamp bulb out for the day. 7 related photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Manager Posted July 25, 2008 Author Share Posted July 25, 2008 Woohoo! Its all gone, left the bulb out and the cover off while I was at work and its cleared, thanks guys! Also found out why it happened, the top of the light where the clips on the cover fit is missing a chunk! The last time that was touched was when it was in a specialist Ford garage. Seems like it was damaged there and they couldnt wiggle it back on so the cover wasnt attached properly. Being a girly with small hands its now on (with just one clip) properly. Thanks for the advice, will come here again! 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 That's good to hear. Blatchatters are always here .... especially for steamy girls ! 7 related photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob_Rich Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 Looks like Miss Tweaky is sorted but another idea to keep in mind is to keep ( or get hold of) the little silica gel dessicants that are frequently packed in with electronic items such as Radios and Ipods etc. Dry the dessicant bag on a radiator or boiler overnight then pop it in the back of the lamp leave a couple of days ( avoid using lights if possible) and that should blot up the moisture OK. As the other posters said look for the source of the leak after you have dried it out. Condensation can corrode reflector and may lead to an MOT failure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Manager Posted July 26, 2008 Author Share Posted July 26, 2008 Thankfully the problem didnt occur on my car till a week after the MOT! To any blatchatters in Stoke I can recommend LTR in Burslem for MOT's. Made the mistake of using an autocentre once and ended with a huge bill to get it through. Am off to steam quietly in the garden now......... 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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