A8 Parts Forum  

Go Back   A8 Parts Forum > A8 D3 > D3 - Lights

D3 - Lights Headlights, xenons, foglights. Everything outside the car that glows

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26th March 2013, 11:13 AM
Conquistador's Avatar
Conquistador Conquistador is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Essex
Posts: 1,415
Question Recurring headlight condensation

Does anybody have any easy methods of removing condensation from the inside of a headlight lens? It only ever happens on the one side. I don't particularly want to go drilling tiny holes in the top of the lens or anything but there must be a leak somewhere in the casing if it keeps happening.

Its diffusing the xenon beam on that side so it is quite annoying at night.

Any ideas anybody? Thanks in advance!



__________________
Currently '8-less
Previously:
- Aqua Blue Pearl D3 S8 - Kamut Beige leather, ACC, B&O, factory RSE, solar sunroof, electric blinds, ski bag, Homelink, comfort headrests.
- Aqua Blue D2 S8 - Grey leather/Alcantara
- D3 A8 3.0 CVT
- D3 3.7 V8
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26th March 2013, 11:58 AM
PsYcHe PsYcHe is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Blantyre, Scotland
Posts: 4,136
Default

I'd check the seals, and maybe run something round them to re-seal it.

Also check for hairline cracks in the lens, that seems to be the problem with my rears.
__________________
2010 Jag XF 3.0D Portfolio S

I know.. I know..

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26th March 2013, 12:06 PM
Architex_mA8tey's Avatar
Architex_mA8tey Architex_mA8tey is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London/Oxford/Swindon
Posts: 7,648
Default

when you have condensation like this inside the glass it is because moisture / humid air has got into the lens and is then condensating on the inner face when its colder outside. You need to -
a) stop the moisture getting in at all (psyche's post about the seals) and
b) dry out the inside before you seal it up so there's no moisture in there to condense onto the glass.

If neither of these works when youve tried it then the only other option is to ventilate the headlight void space (which is why some people suggest drilling holes) but in practice you need to drill it in the right place and ensure enough of a flow of air to keep the inside dried out.

Failing both those then give A8 Parts a ring and see if they've got a better headlight in stock, or order a new one
__________________

Confidence is the feeling you have before you know better . . . .
Audi A8 D2 3.7 Quattro Sport 1999 FL - Melange
2nd Place Winner - A8-Freunde Annual German Meet 2012 at Edersee
20" x 9" Bentley GTC Wheels with 385mm W12 Front Discs & Bentley Caliper Covers, Front Lowered on Coilovers, Xenons, Combined DRLs and LED Foglights to modified OEM front fog lamp position, Alcantara/Leather, Full Black Alcantara headlining + pillars and blind shelf, Bespoke Flat Bottomed Sports Steering Wheel, Dark Myrtle Wood, Autodim Mirrors, Bose, Blinds, Digital TV, Ski Hatch, Modified rear exhaust section for extra V8 Burble
Audi S8 D2 Final Edition 2002, Avus Silver with Red Leather Interior
Tiptronic with Sport mode button, Sony rear entertainment package, Bose sound system, Audi Navigation Plus, 20 inch Final Edition alloys, Full Cat Back Stainless Milltek exhaust, giving a great V8 burble
Audi A8L D2 4.2 Petrol with LPG - Ebony Black
Audi A8L D4 FL 4.0T Petrol twin turbo - Havana Black
Audi A2 1.6 FSi Sport - Dolphin Grey with Votex body kit and Red Leather Interior
and some other A8's A8L's and Mercs
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26th March 2013, 12:12 PM
Conquistador's Avatar
Conquistador Conquistador is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Essex
Posts: 1,415
Default

I'm sure it doesn't help the situation when the headlight jets spray a wave of screenwash on the lenses of which some shoots up into the crack between the top of the light and the bonnet. I'll have to do some searching for the leak then.
__________________
Currently '8-less
Previously:
- Aqua Blue Pearl D3 S8 - Kamut Beige leather, ACC, B&O, factory RSE, solar sunroof, electric blinds, ski bag, Homelink, comfort headrests.
- Aqua Blue D2 S8 - Grey leather/Alcantara
- D3 A8 3.0 CVT
- D3 3.7 V8
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26th March 2013, 01:06 PM
David's8's Avatar
David's8 David's8 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Helensburgh, Scotland
Posts: 3,506
Default

Having just taken my (D2) lights completely apart to clean and polish (as per Iyole's excellent post), its worth mentioning that those units are not completely/permenantly sealed. When taking off the rear access covers to replace lamps or whatever you allow ambient air to enter the unit. The side/parking lights on the D2 Bi-xenon units are just loose/push fit and so there is ample space for ambient, moist air to get to the front of the unit and, when the covers are replaced, to remain there condensating on the front lens whenever the outside air gets cold.

Try venting the unit by removing the rear access covers and blowing through on a cold dry day. (we seem to be having a few of those at the mo')
__________________
2002 D2 S8 – Ming Blue, Valcona leather, Vavona wood insert, solar sunroof (to be fitted), Heated rear seats, extended leather pack, 18” Avus, ski hatch, Bose, auto dim rear view mirror, rear blind.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26th March 2013, 02:29 PM
Iyole Iyole is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 309
Default

Agree with David ..... these are not sealed units ....

My suggestion would be to dismantle and dry everything out with the SO's hairdryer.
Then re-assemble making sure that the lens is properly seated/sealed on the headlamp casing....

Good Luck.
__________________


" Love the Sound of a V8....... All Day " *still wish it was a V10*

2002 S8 D2 F/L
H & R Springs, Koni Coil Overs, Dastek Chip, Sport Exhaust, 19" S5 Rims, Solar Sun Roof (Cause we have Sun) and most of the Bells & Whistles.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26th March 2013, 03:17 PM
Dezzy's Avatar
Dezzy Dezzy is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: N. Devon
Posts: 2,715
Default

It might have been hit looking at it (the head light edge doesn't quite line up with the wing like the otherside. I'd say there is a crack in it somewhere. I've never taken the unit out a D3 but it shouldn't be too hard to remove the whole thing, take it inside on the kitchen table and have a good look.

Is there not an o ring on the push fit parts that go into the headlight unit? They don't condinsate from new.
__________________
1996 A8 4.2 QS. Bose, Solar roof, um...um... rally sport towbar. Now gone to a new home as the Traders 8.

Bright yellow bus o love.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26th March 2013, 03:34 PM
David's8's Avatar
David's8 David's8 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Helensburgh, Scotland
Posts: 3,506
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dezzy View Post
Is there not an o ring on the push fit parts that go into the headlight unit? They don't condinsate from new.
Thats a good point. The plastic sidelight bulb holder (mine are bayonets bulbs) had retaining lugs but didnt seem to "catch" on anything. (They certainly dont now - though they are tighter - as I had to ream out the hole to take the new 5 LED lamp which is square in section).

That said I have never had condensation problems.
__________________
2002 D2 S8 – Ming Blue, Valcona leather, Vavona wood insert, solar sunroof (to be fitted), Heated rear seats, extended leather pack, 18” Avus, ski hatch, Bose, auto dim rear view mirror, rear blind.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 26th March 2013, 04:25 PM
Conquistador's Avatar
Conquistador Conquistador is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Essex
Posts: 1,415
Default

Hmm ok, a few methods to try here.

A friend said his car failed an MOT a few years ago because of headlight condensation. The tester suggested laying a thick coat over the headlight under the bonnet, then just closing the bonnet as a means of holding it there and leaving the headlights on for 10 or 15 minutes to heat it up. It steamed a bit but eventually worked.

But I'm guessing that wouldn't work with xenon bulbs...
__________________
Currently '8-less
Previously:
- Aqua Blue Pearl D3 S8 - Kamut Beige leather, ACC, B&O, factory RSE, solar sunroof, electric blinds, ski bag, Homelink, comfort headrests.
- Aqua Blue D2 S8 - Grey leather/Alcantara
- D3 A8 3.0 CVT
- D3 3.7 V8
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 26th March 2013, 04:35 PM
HPsauce HPsauce is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Chilterns, almost over HS2!
Posts: 8,366
Default

Xenon bulbs get hot, just like normal ones but overall use about 50% of the power so the fitting will take longer to warm up and dry out.
I don't have a problem on my S8 but my Focus gets condensation and I've dealt with that by using a hairdryer on a dry (cold) day and leaving a bag of silical gel taped inside the access cover, changing/drying it occasionally.
__________________
2003 D2 FL S8. Irish Green Pearl/Beige. Solar sunroof, auto-dim mirrors, electric rear seat functions, ski hatch retrofit; extended leather. Aftermarket DVB-T, reversing camera and full XCarlink (Bluetooth etc.).
2016 Volvo V40 T5 Cross Country (4WD) with ALL the toys including adaptive cruise etc. etc. Osmium Grey with Blonde/Charcoal leather interior. Polestar performance "optimisation". (A much rarer model than a D2 S8 by the way!) Oh, and a brand new engine at just under 30,000 miles on the factory one!
Finally: gone, but not forgotten.....
1998 D2 PF S8. AgateGrey/Platinum. Every option (I think) except electric rear seats, tiptronic steering wheel, ski hatch, towbar & dimming door mirrors.
e.g. Cruise control, NavPlus/TV, Bose, GSM, Xenons, Solar roof, Parking sensors, Alcantara/leather everywhere of course. (internal dimming mirror added later)
1998 (very early) Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec; ABS/TCS, Heated screen/mirrors, Aircon, Auto-dim mirror, Leather, Trip computer, Cruise control, OEM Ford SatNav with CD changer.
And before that a lot of Rover 800s, a few oddities, a lovely Triumph Dolomite 1850HL with Overdrive and way back in my schooldays an Austin Seven aka Mini 850!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 02:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.