Condensation In Headlight

[gerryhattie]

Hi guys,

Anyone know how to get rid of condensation in the headlights of an E46 coupe?

[Guest DazH]

Hey Gerard,

Yes, I have heard of this happening a lot. Often caused by bad seals around the unit it's self.

I've had a few motors in the past with evidence of someone curing it themselves. Opening the unit, dealing with the moisture and resealing it with putty/silicon is popular.

Behind the unit, where the bulb sits, there should be a rubber bung going over the opening, are yours present?

Daz

[Guest jeffthro]

Hi Gerard, yes, as Daz says, It'll be a failed seal. I've not had the problem with my 328, so can't be sure that its as straight forward as it was with my lovely old Primera GT, but I carefully ran around the joint of the headlight unit with a razor blade, separated glass lens from rest of unit, cleaned and dried everything, and then resealed with a thin bead of waterproof silicone sealer.Where possible, tape the joint in place for 24 hours until sealant secure and dry.

[gerryhattie]

Hey Jeff / Daz,

Thanks for your replies, very helpful.

I am gonna have a look at it today to see what the possibilities are with the rubber bungs and seals, whether they are faulty or not.

Will keep you updated

Thanks again guys

[Steve_Goral]

If the seals are knackered is there a decent place to get a set of them?

Am I right in thinking theres two parts to the seals? These seem pretty expensive for what they are £23 for the bonnet seal and £27 for the lens seal, and thats per side. Can you get them any cheaper or is it just one of those expensive jobs? Probably be cheaper to buy a full set of used lights.

[Guest DazH]

That particular ebay seller flogs USED parts at crazy prices. Always but NEW rubber

Give the dealer a call matey

Daz

[Steve_Goral]

Cool, I'd never buy a used seal. Mine are almost perished away, so it needs doing sooner rather than later.

Thats insane prices for used seals then, I thought they were new.

[Guest DazH]

I recognise the banner around the images from a seller on ebay who i know have put parts up online you should NEVER buy second hand like, i've seen them sell used head bolts :huh: I was desperate once and asked them for a bearing cap (C shaped block of metal that covers a cam bearing) because I lost one when rebuilding. It's no bigger than a playing card and they wanted like 20 odd quid

[Steve_Goral]

##### that then, they say it's brand new but I'll steer clear. I don't fancy getting ripped off, had enough of that when I was buying stuff for my MK4 Golf.

[Guest DazH]

Well if they claim it's new then i guess it's new.... if it's a good enough price and it's been varified by them that it is (no if buts or maybes) new then go for it fella

Daz

[Steve_Goral]

Lol I'm going to keep looking I think. There's a few genuine BMW traders that seem a bit more trustworthy.