Headlight moisture?

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27 May 2003
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The n/s headlight cluster has gone opaque, is this likely to be due to moisture with the seals probably naff? The o/s headlight is as clear as it was 10 years ago (Mk1 Focus 99 reg.)

lightsl.jpg


If it is, is it better to remove, try and clean, seal and replace or spend £20-25 on a decent sealed cluster on the bay and do as straight swap?

Ta
 
Most headlights are sealed aren't they? Apart from the lickle hole that the bulb goes into so you'll have a hell of a time trying to clean the inside of the glass.
 
Have you recently replaced a bulb on the passenger side? When I did a few weeks back I noticed the lens had a lot of condensation inside of it which dried out after a few weeks.
 
Had this on my Focus when I bought it. I also see lots of Focus' around with the same issue, always just on the passenger side. I ended up getting a replacement headlight cluster for about £40 off the 'Bay.
 
usually this is due to moisture being able to enter the headlamp unit, it then condensates and cannot drain out because the drain valve is blocked

A lot of headlamps have a right angle drain that should point down, it's just usually a rubber right angle tube, this can sometimes be fitted upside down....

The other cause could be the seal between the lens and body has failed. solution is to remove the headlamp, strip all the bulbs out, warm in the oven (50 deg C) than gentyl prise apart. you can then reseal with sealant (not bathroom sealant)
 
g60dubster said:
usually this is due to moisture being able to enter the headlamp unit, it then condensates and cannot drain out because the drain valve is blocked

A lot of headlamps have a right angle drain that should point down, it's just usually a rubber right angle tube, this can sometimes be fitted upside down....

The other cause could be the seal between the lens and body has failed. solution is to remove the headlamp, strip all the bulbs out, warm in the oven (50 deg C) than gentyl prise apart. you can then reseal with sealant (not bathroom sealant)
Click to expand...


That sounds like hard work, get another one.
 
If it's for an MOT you can take it out and stick it in your airing cupboard and a combo with a hairdryer will get you through but if you want to see in front of you I wouldn't reccomend a s/h unit especially if you have seen 'lots' of Focus's with the same problem, there is no way to check a s/h one so buy a new one. Having said all that you should check the rubbers on the back and if there is a drain hole see if its blocked first
 
This happens a lot on e36's. Ive tried silica gel in the headlights and resealing them. In the end i just left the bulb covers off the back of the lights and they have been crystal clear since.
 
I had the same problem on my 52 plate Focus when I got it a couple of month's ago but on the driver's side. It remained the same for 2 weeks even leaving the car out in the sun it did dry most of it but then it would instantly return within minutes of removing the car from direct sunlight. Then about a month ago I read up about removing the bulb cap and leave it off for around 3 days and I decided to remove mine while I was at work but I only left it off for 4 hours and it cleared half of it in the headlamp and it did not completely condensate up again but half of it was still present in the lamp. Upon first removing the bulb cap before inside the actual headlamp was a very small puddle of water and I wiped it dry, I also inspected the entire lamp for any cracks, check the seal etc. but could not find anything. If nothing like this was to blame for the condensation then I'm puzzled to how a bit of water did get in there in the first place :confused:

Then a couple of weeks ago I tried it again with leaving the cap off and I left it off all day, 7 hours later when I finished work the lamp was completely condensation free and I decided to put the bulb cap back on. Nearly 2 weeks on the headlamp has been completely condensation free and has not returned :) Give it a go.

Liam
 
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Thanks for the replies

Looking at it again closely, it looks dry inside, the plastic just looks all hazey.
Time for a new cluster?
 
sandpaper will remove the peaks of the uneven surface, however you'll need to use some polish to bring them back up clrystal clear again.
 
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