[90rr]

Yesterday I noticed condensation, in my headlights, I Left the car overnight and most of it disappeared, after an hour or so in the Florida sun, all remaining condesation was gone.

Yesterday:


To test, I took the car to the carwash and the fog inside the headlight returned immediately. It is interesting that when I got home from the carwash condesation disappeared but returned soon after I parked in the shade (is it possible that some water stayed in and condensed when the headlight cooled off)

After carwash


After sitting in the shade for 30 min (clear sunny day +80F)




The car has never been hit. I inspected the headlight outside for small cracks and checked the lightbulb door and everything looks fine. Any idea what are my options here? I have xenon adaptive headlights. Thank you.

[toxik]

i could be wrong but from your pictures your lenses look worn and oxidized, if that's the case, I would just get new headlight lenses and have a shop reseal them. You could do it yourself but without practice, there's a good chance you'll have precipitation in there again. I know in NY, we have a few shops that do headlight modification, but a lot of people go there for the same problem you have and simply get their headlights resealed or swap to new lenses and new seals.

[Billfitz]

Check the bulb access porthole covers.

[Yam_440i]

As above, look through the arch and see if your covers have fallen off. I had the same thing when the screw cap and the flap fell off and I started getting puddles of water in the headlight. Ended up frying a module but luckily I had warranty so BMW replaced the entire headlight.

I have actually customised my headlights and put aftermarket rings in there so I am quite familiar with condensation issues. I would say if all the covers are on and there isn't any visible route of water getting in, try put in those gel air condensation packs, which should get rid of any moisture temporarily.

[Solidjake]

Originally Posted by toxik

i could be wrong but from your pictures your lenses look worn and oxidized, if that's the case, I would just get new headlight lenses and have a shop reseal them.

???? You can clearly see moisture in the headlight and the E46 was the last BMW model with replaceable headlight lenses.

[toxik]

Originally Posted by Solidjake

???? You can clearly see moisture in the headlight and the E46 was the last BMW model with replaceable headlight lenses.

all modern headlights have lenses that can be replaced, i think you're talking about replaced with screws/bolts, where it can be easily done by any owner. but the headlight housing and lens comes apart, they just need to be baked and then the sealant can be separated.

here's a link to the lenses: https://www.bavgruppedesign.com/prod...s-bmw-f30-f31/

here's a diy on how to do it:

i was also talking about his lenses exterior, the oxidation/wear on the outside or inside of the lens, as in it might be a good time to refresh and replace them. that's not the same as condensation, i know that there's water inside haha.

[90rr]

Update: Opened bulb cover and left car on the sun for couple of hours. So far so good, no fogging even after the rain !

[Jvac]

Originally Posted by 90rr

Update: Opened bulb cover and left car on the sun for couple of hours. So far so good, no fogging even after the rain !

If you're going to do that,ay I suggest sticking a silica packet in there for a time. The moisture has a way of disappearing into dark corners when it condenses and then reappearing when sunlight or heat causes it to evaporate again.

[vmaniqui]

Looks like your headlights has openings or holes that the water is sipping in. Check this out.....