Headlight condensation

ossi1 · 10-15-2018, 06:48 AM

Had the car a week .I noticed on collection a small amount of condensation in one of the headlights around the edge. Having previously owned a 135i that had similar it was deemed by BMW to be within their parameters.

With the weekend rain and a quick wash yesterday evening, I woke up to the picture below. I then took it for a 45 min drive with lights on, no change, en route popped into my dealer. Needless to say its booked in, not necessarily for a replacement but for testing. I'll keep you posted as I know its an issue that crops on several occasions with varying outcomes.

Alice Coupe · 10-15-2018, 06:54 AM

Been discussed many times here.

The lights are not hermetically sealed so moisture will get in. However, it normally dries out quickly. Mine used to mist up. It was cured by taking the access covers off the car on a warm sunny day and letting nature take its course. Then refit the covers.

Steveo.G · 10-15-2018, 07:02 AM

I've just noticed this on my car last week and had actually forgotten about it until I seen this post.
Thanks for the reminder to check and see it's still the same.

ossi1 · 10-15-2018, 07:04 AM

Cheers Alice ... a bit of a poor show if we're honest.

I did read that the testing involved heating from the outside, then heating from the Inside. I'm wondering if when they prepped it someone got carried away with a pressure washer.

ossi1 · 10-23-2018, 01:57 PM

Just an update...it needs replacing. Pic before it went in

Piss poor if you ask me on a brand new car...

ukbeemerboy · 10-23-2018, 02:39 PM

It’s what the warranty is for, they are mass produced and these things happen.

ossi1 · 10-23-2018, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukbeemerboy

It’s what the warranty is for, they are mass produced and these things happen.

An historical problem that BMW have failed to address.

That said, today I was told they had changed the manufacturer of their headlights...probably BS but lets see if the G20 have the same issues.

BMWiltshire · 10-23-2018, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ossi1

Had the car a week .I noticed on collection a small amount of condensation in one of the headlights around the edge. Having previously owned a 135i that had similar it was deemed by BMW to be within their parameters.

With the weekend rain and a quick wash yesterday evening, I woke up to the picture below. I then took it for a 45 min drive with lights on, no change, en route popped into my dealer. Needless to say its booked in, not necessarily for a replacement but for testing. I'll keep you posted as I know its an issue that crops on several occasions with varying outcomes.

I've got a 66plate and both the last winters i've had one back and one front light fogged like this from November until March, very annoying - have still got a year of warranty so if they've been happy to look at yours it'll hopefully be worth taking mine in

ossi1 · 10-23-2018, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWiltshire

have still got a year of warranty so if they've been happy to look at yours it'll hopefully be worth taking mine in

Mine was straight out the showroom I must add..but yes take it in

BMWiltshire · 10-23-2018, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ossi1

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWiltshire

have still got a year of warranty so if they've been happy to look at yours it'll hopefully be worth taking mine in

Mine was straight out the showroom I must add..but yes take it in

Mine was after 1 month (got it in October 2016), I definitely should have taken it back in!

ian332isport · 12-10-2018, 07:28 AM

Looks like my drivers side will need to be replaced. I only got the car (new) in September, and didn't expect to be fixing things already

Jeff123 · 12-10-2018, 07:35 AM

Are you using a hose or pressure washer with the bonnet up? If so, that could be the issue. I did this to mine and had to use a hairdryer to sort it out.

ian332isport · 12-10-2018, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff123

Are you using a hose or pressure washer with the bonnet up? If so, that could be the issue. I did this to mine and had to use a hairdryer to sort it out.

Pressure washer to wash the car, but never with the bonnet up. It's fine on the passengers side.

Alice Coupe · 12-10-2018, 08:19 AM

I used to have this issue. On a hot day, I removed the bulb cover and allowed the headlight to fully dry. This solved the problem.
I think many people race to the dealer when it just a case of cold moist air in the light which is bound to condensate.

Remember, headlights are not hermetically sealed and moisture will get in.

10-15-2018, 06:48 AM	#1
ossi1 Banned 124 Rep 268 Posts Drives: M Sport 340i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Headlight condensation - new car Had the car a week .I noticed on collection a small amount of condensation in one of the headlights around the edge. Having previously owned a 135i that had similar it was deemed by BMW to be within their parameters. With the weekend rain and a quick wash yesterday evening, I woke up to the picture below. I then took it for a 45 min drive with lights on, no change, en route popped into my dealer. Needless to say its booked in, not necessarily for a replacement but for testing. I'll keep you posted as I know its an issue that crops on several occasions with varying outcomes. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-15-2018, 06:54 AM	#2
Alice Coupe Lieutenant 157 Rep 429 Posts Drives: F36 430dX M Sport Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Been discussed many times here. The lights are not hermetically sealed so moisture will get in. However, it normally dries out quickly. Mine used to mist up. It was cured by taking the access covers off the car on a warm sunny day and letting nature take its course. Then refit the covers.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2018, 07:02 AM	#3
Steveo.G Second Lieutenant 96 Rep 269 Posts Drives: F30 335d M Performance Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: North Lanarkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 F30 335d [0.00]	I've just noticed this on my car last week and had actually forgotten about it until I seen this post. Thanks for the reminder to check and see it's still the same. __________________ Current. 2016 335D STORM TROOPER! 2011 E70 X5 40D. 2005 E60 535D 395bhp 580lb/ft (Noteworthy) Evo V & VI. Jaguar s-type R. Yamaha raptor 700R
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2018, 07:04 AM	#4
ossi1 Banned 124 Rep 268 Posts Drives: M Sport 340i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Cheers Alice ... a bit of a poor show if we're honest. I did read that the testing involved heating from the outside, then heating from the Inside. I'm wondering if when they prepped it someone got carried away with a pressure washer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-23-2018, 01:57 PM	#5
ossi1 Banned 124 Rep 268 Posts Drives: M Sport 340i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Just an update...it needs replacing. Pic before it went in Piss poor if you ask me on a brand new car...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-23-2018, 02:39 PM	#6
ukbeemerboy Beemer Heaven 462 Rep 2,941 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Competition Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somerset UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW F82 M4 Comp [0.00] 2017 BMW F30 330d M ... [0.00] 2014 BMW F30 330d M ... [0.00] 2009 BMW E90 330d M ... [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 330d M ... [0.00] 2002 BMW E46 325i S ... [0.00]	It’s what the warranty is for, they are mass produced and these things happen. __________________ Scott 2018 BMW M4 Competition 2019 Mini Countryman Cooper S : 2008 Mini Cooper
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-10-2018, 07:28 AM	#11
ian332isport Major 705 Rep 1,141 Posts Drives: F31 340i Shadow Edition Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Looks like my drivers side will need to be replaced. I only got the car (new) in September, and didn't expect to be fixing things already
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-10-2018, 07:35 AM	#12
Jeff123 Jeff 318 Rep 1,451 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport x-drive F30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Are you using a hose or pressure washer with the bonnet up? If so, that could be the issue. I did this to mine and had to use a hairdryer to sort it out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-10-2018, 08:19 AM	#14
Alice Coupe Lieutenant 157 Rep 429 Posts Drives: F36 430dX M Sport Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I used to have this issue. On a hot day, I removed the bulb cover and allowed the headlight to fully dry. This solved the problem. I think many people race to the dealer when it just a case of cold moist air in the light which is bound to condensate. Remember, headlights are not hermetically sealed and moisture will get in.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search