Water will condense out of the air. Normally the headlight bulbs is enough to keep them dry. I have dried out headlights with a hairdryer before and they have been fine. Can't really remember but suspect I dried them then it was sometime before fitting the bulbs back.

DaveMcT said:

Has the rubber cover been left off the back of the headlight?

BTW the latest H4 spec LED bulbs really are very good and use less power than the old 50 watt halogens. Some types need to have the heatsink poking though the rear cover but its no biggie to do.

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LED replacement bulbs are illegal for road use.


Robert G8RPI.

g8rpi said:

LED replacement bulbs are illegal for road use.


Robert G8RPI.

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My bike has them and passes the mot no problem. The issue is beam pattern. Tester is happy so I get the ticket.

However if the pattern as out I would be in for all sorts of hassle not to mention upsetting everyone on the road.

Hi,
The MOT is not a conformity check. If you speed and don't crash or get caught, it's still illegal.
Totally up up to the owener, I just think they need to know so it's an informed decision.

Robert G8RPI.

DaveMcT said:

Please don't be one of those plonkers who uses the rear fogs when the hilltops get misty.

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Totally agree,if in fog/mist you can see the tail lights from the car ahead from 100ft away then you don't need to have your fog lights on.I have only used my fog lights once in 20 years.

Tomsk

Sadly not much difference with rice

SB1500 said:

View attachment 180506

Sadly not much difference with rice

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Looks like you have a damaged headlight.

Take it off the car and have a closer look.

DaveMcT said:

Looks like you have a damaged headlight.



Take it off the car and have a closer look.

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Does the bumper really need to come off? Seems so involved

SB1500 said:

Does the bumper really need to come off? Seems so involved

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Try it without taking the bumper off first (see above).

If I can get it off without too much body panel displacement then I can try it on the street.

If it's turning out to be bumper off then I'll need to wait to get into the garage where it's safe to mess around with!

The front bumper has to come off to remove a headlight unit. Bumble had condensation in the n/s headlight. I took off the back plastic cover and left it off until it dried. I then drilled a couple of 8mm holes into the back cover and refitted it. The condensation never came back.

dozer said:

The front bumper has to come off to remove a headlight unit. Bumble had condensation in the n/s headlight. I took off the back plastic cover and left it off until it dried. I then drilled a couple of 8mm holes into the back cover and refitted it. The condensation never came back.

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Holes in the removable cover panel?

How did that help? I'd have thought that'd make it worse. I'll try it if you're sure

It lets air in for it to dry. Just leave the removable plastic cover off until it dries then put it back on. If it mists up again you can either fit a new headlight or drill holes into the removable plastic cover and that will keep it dry. Worked for me.

Am I right in thinking, because the moisture was constantly trapped during 7+ days of dry, hot weather perhaps the moisture is trapped inside a perfectly sealed unit? OR am I hoping the impossible lol

Going out to remove the back panel now for a few days

SB1500 said:

Am I right in thinking, because the moisture was constantly trapped during 7+ days of dry, hot weather perhaps the moisture is trapped inside a perfectly sealed unit? OR am I hoping the impossible lol

Going out to remove the back panel now for a few days

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Sounds right to me.


Try warming the whole unit to drive the moisture out or leave the back off on dry days and warm the inside with the bulbs.

I left the back off mine in the middle of last winter and it still dried so it'll dry up in no time at this time of year.

Guys I don't believe it..

Looked today. Almost ALL the water is gone. Minor bit left on the top section. Hoping it will clear up soon.

Removing the panel is allowing it to dry. What does this confirm and what next?

SB1500 said:

Guys I don't believe it..

Looked today. Almost ALL the water is gone. Minor bit left on the top section. Hoping it will clear up soon.

Removing the panel is allowing it to dry. What does this confirm and what next?

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If It comes back after its dry water must be entering the unit somewhere. Either via the back cover or a crack in the unit.


Normally If you really past grease on the seal they don't leak even if the rubber seal isn't touching all the way round.


One thing you could try is see if a piece of paper is clamped all the way round the seal. Cigarette rolling paper is really thin

I'm suspicious that you have a crack in the headlight body that letting water in.

The only way to know is to remove the headlight and have a close look. However can you borrow an inspection camera to look in all the hidden corners?

Assuming it has all of its mounting lugs, any cracks can be sealed with acrylic body sealant from any car body repair/paint factors. It's tough stuff and seem to stick to just about anything.

So far I've left the back cover OFF and even in the wet weather it's fine and dry inside the lens so far