HeadLight Venting

[sprindl]

Are there supposed to be vents somewhere in the Headlight housing to allow the condensation to evaporate? If not, does anyone have a design and location for such a thing?

-sp

[Berkel]

Condensation is a sign of a poor seal.

Once the condensation dries.. you should reseal the headlight and make sure there are no leaks.

[Pudmunkie]

Take a look at the back, they are pretty obvious. Those rubber tubes that point down are the vents.

when those vents can no longer control condensation your seal is bad.

[Roots]

My headlights too have heavy condensation inside. To remove the condensation should I just remove the headlamps and allow the moisture to evaporate? If its a bad seal causing the problem like others above have said, what's a good way to repair the seal, or does it need to be replaced?

[Pudmunkie]

When I say the seal has gone bad, I am referring to those that have opened up their headlights at one point or another. If your factory lights are leaking, it is more likely time to replace them then to worry about re-sealing.

[Roots]

I see. I was hoping that sanding the headlamps and removing the condensation would make them good as new. My headlights are very dim now, and I'm not sure if its because I need new bulbs or if its just the junk in the headlamp assembly. Thanks for the response.

[cnewton44]

Take a look at the back, they are pretty obvious. Those rubber tubes that point down are the vents.

when those vents can no longer control condensation your seal is bad.

I am in the process of doing some things with mine. Do you absolutely have to have those vents? If the light has no moisture in it and I seal those vents it should be fine right?

[Tony2005]

... My headlights are very dim now, and I'm not sure if its because I need new bulbs ...

New bulbs will help. Halogen bulbs do go dimmer after a few years. In addition, if your headlamp outer assembly is fogged up, try using some Permatex lens cleaner. Advance or Autozone sells the cleaner for about $8 (or use toothpaste, water and paper towels).

[Ray]

I am in the process of doing some things with mine. Do you absolutely have to have those vents? If the light has no moisture in it and I seal those vents it should be fine right?

Think about this.

Where is the "moisture" coming from? Its the liquid version of the gaseous water molecules that are collecting as liquid. The moisture is in the air. so if you seal the unit completely, you are TRAPPING air in there, and when the sunlight goes through the plastic it will be like a greenhouse effect, only this time they'll have nowhere to escape as gas through the vents so the water vapor will condense and collect as droplets.

In short.. you'll have much WORSE condensation problems if you seal it, unless you create a void (vacuum) inside as well.

[cnewton44]

Cool thanks. Just kinda wondered about that.