condensation in headlamp assembly

Steelcity

Steelcity

Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2010
Messages
994
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
Pittsburgh,Pa
Does anyone have experience with condensation/fog in there headlight assembly ? I have heard of putting them in the oven to dry out then silicone the outside seams and cracks ? Does it work ? As others,mine are starting to get a little condensation inside which contributes to loss in light output and at my age I can't give up any more.Ant input would be welcomed thanks.
 
I feel your pain. Alot of these lights 'leak' and allow moisture in which eventually condenses causing corrosion and darkening of the whole assembly (I`ve even seen algae growing inside one!). You can try removing the assembly from the van, removing the bulb and using a blow dryer to remove moisture. Then, reseal the bead between the lens and body of the assembly with a silicone based sealant. Less is more!

Other than that, I can get new assemblies here in Canada for less than $50 each....yup. Check it out:


http://stores.ebay.ca/Prime-Choice-...ntana+headlight&submit=Search&_sid=1020269826


Let me know if it works!
 
You brought up a good idea about the blow dryer ,I was thinking with all that heat from the lamp on at night why wouldn't it dry it's self out? Is it cause the moisture can't escape but it got in there somehow ???

Edit : The more I think that is a great idea about the blow dryer that way you don't have to remove the assembly just unscrew the lamp and turn on the blow dryer ,now where does my wife keep it????
 
You`re right about the moisture escaping...it can`t if the bulbs in. The reason I remove the assembly is so that I can bring it indoors and bring it to room temp before using the blow dryer. But, give it a try and let me know!

Ian
______________________________
 
can you reseal the bead if the assembly is not removed?
 
Well, I would think that by the time you figured out how to get sealant on the lower side of the lens without getting it all over your bumper, you could have the assembly out and back in! There`s really only 2 wing nuts to take off to remove the assembly. Ive had them out before and it takes 10 seconds. Is there a reason you wanna keep them in while sealing?

Ian
 
No reason for keeping them in just thought it would be quicker .It is easy to take them out but for some reason I have a heck of a time putting them back in.Do you have any experience with those after market ones ? Quality ?
 
melsg5 said:
can you reseal the bead if the assembly is not removed?
Click to expand...

No...at least not the bottom of the lens. It`s too close to the bumper facia/ Even the slightest amount of moisture allowed to enter the lens can produce the condensation. Temperature changes will cause the assembly to either allow /suck air in, or let air out. Over time, the moisture in the air will condense on the lens and not be able to get out. So, my advice is either a new assembly or a complete seal.

Ian
______________________________
 
Steelcity said:
No reason for keeping them in just thought it would be quicker .It is easy to take them out but for some reason I have a heck of a time putting them back in.Do you have any experience with those after market ones ? Quality ?
Click to expand...

I`ve bought 2 new assemblies from the same place for my Impala ($52 each). So far, quality is excellent. The only problem I`ve had is with the 2 plastic clips that hold the assembly on....the assembly had to be filed slightly to fit them. You`d have to see a picture to see what I mean. They come with all the bulbs too! But, once my lenses on the Montana begin to have condensation, that`s what I`m going to do...order a couple of assemblies.

Ian
 
I had the same issue with my headlights, but there was also water pooling in the assembly. As a temporary solution, I removed the assembly and drilled a small hole in the base of the assembly.

This allowed the water to drain out and the moisture to dry out as well. I would not recommend this as a permanent solution but it worked for me.

My51chevy
 
51:: What was the long term effect ? More water and moisture ? Did the inside fog up more ? Would you do it again ?
 
The temporary fix has been in place for over a year now on my daily driver. I see a little condensation (less than without the hole) when we have a multi-day rain shower(s). Besides that, I have seen no issues. Yes, I would doi it again.

I figured the assembly was ready for replacement and putting a little hole in it could do no harm.

My51chevy
______________________________
 
Last edited:
I had this problem in one of my headlights in my Malibu and did the small holes in the bottom of the housing and it was like that until the day I sold it and the holes worked.
 
My51chevy said:
I had the same issue with my headlights, but there was also water pooling in the assembly. As a temporary solution, I removed the assembly and drilled a small hole in the base of the assembly.

This allowed the water to drain out and the moisture to dry out as well. I would not recommend this as a permanent solution but it worked for me.

My51chevy
Click to expand...

I actually did that to a set of lenses...works great. Still has a little condensation from time to time, but nothing collects at the bottom of the assembly.

Ian
 
Replace both headlight assemblies for about $57

I tried sealing my headlights several times. Used tubes of sealant and epoxy.
Still leaked. Got so bad the drivers side filled with enough water it hit the bulb and it exploded. While you could drill a hole in the bottom of the plastic housing (I did this successfully on the tail lights that filled with water) the inside got frosted and light output was bad. Looked in junk yards and they wanted a fortune for lights about as bad as mine. Purchased a PAIR which included bulbs for $45 plus $12 shipping from Amazon.com. Similar ones on Ebay too. Almost INDENTICAL to expensive OEM ones. Only difference is a smaller retaining ring holding in the bulb. Adjusting screws looked identical.
Had to reverse the clip that holds the side marker wingnut as it was mounted backwards. Other than that makes the front of the van look NEW. Side markers were OK so left them alone. If you want to replace them they go for about $35 a pair. Quit playing with the old cracked 10+ year old housings and replace them entirely. Takes about a half hour and no tools except I needed a small screwdriver to remove the clip mounted 180 off.



;) BIGHANK
 
Yeah I agree. Best solution by far. And if you want to get fancy ebay has different looking headlights as well. They cost a little more though...
______________________________
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top