Insects inside headlights
 

Folks I have 3 dead daddy long legs within the headlight unit on my 08 Sport.

Does anyone know if the units are completely sealed, or if there is any access for me to hoover them out?

The very fact that they are in there in the forst place tells me there must be a substantial gap for them to get in, hoovering them back out again may not be so easy.

Can you not get the bulb holder out and get to them that way

I haven't had a chance to check yet, I was just curious as to whether hoovering them out would be possible or if they would be there for good.

I was hoping someone may know that if removing a bulb would give access to inside the light. I wasnt sure if it would have been sealed and the bulb situated in the projector lens just.

Mmmm see what you mean, I haven't been into mine yet so couldn't say I'm sure others have been though and will advise shortly

The bulbs are changeable, so you should be able to get something in there.. They're fiddly as hell to get out though.

But are the bulbs not just housed within the projector lens?

Can you post a picture??
I've had halogen and cornering bixenons out and played with them for a week so there are options.
Yes, bulbs are housed by projector lens.
In my opinion (but again, need to see the picture as it depends where the bugs are) you won't be able to hoover them out, but we still dont know how big the bugs are.
Ideally you would want to hoover them via hole after taking halogen DRL bulbs if you have them!?!?

What headlights have you got exactly, because if you have factory LED DRLs then main beam is your only way.
But, there are gaps everywhere so the loss of suction can be quiet big which may do nothing.

Unscrewing lens isnt difficult (4x hex screws) but headlight needs to come out, so the bumper.

I'm afraid if a hoover wont do the job headlight will have to come off, then you wont have any problems with getting them out. It may require a bit of play but you will have at least 2-3 options.

I've the adaptive xenons with LED DRL's.

So you think there are holes in to the inside?

I hate the thought of having to take the bumper off! I removed it from my TT and it was just a hassle. I expect the A8 would be worse with headlight washers and parking sensors too.

I'll try and get a photo this evening.

Just noticed this. So the actual lens does come off? I thought it would have been glued and sealed tight?

By gaps I mean plenty of gaps inside the unit, around the chrome bits, lens etc.
Unit is sealed, but to get the hoover in you need to gain the access to the headlight from the back, so no matter how you going to do it you losing suction as you will have to pass the back of the unit which seals it.
There is no gaps around the headlight unit but in one of the corner in each headlight there is a little drain off (I assume) hole on the bottom with detachable rubber 'pipe' with a 90degree bend.

Headlight washers and sensors are no biggie as they all stay on the bumper, just need to disconnect two connectors on the bottom of the bumper as soon you lift it off the car a little to gain access.

To take the bumper of both wheel arches off, unscrew the bottom engine cover (3 screws near the front of the car which, cover is attached to the bottom of the bumper which drops).
Then just below the indicators from inside the arches there are 3 nuts on each side, akward but with long enough extension piece of cake, then 5-7 screws from the top (above the grill under the bonnet) and you laughing.
Comes off very easy.
Then 4 bolts per headlight and you've got in your hands.

Yeah, 4 hex screws, but you can't get it out, you can turn it in different angles to gain more access to inside of the unit, maybe with a flat end attachment if you going for the hoover option.

You can get the lens out completely, but this will require bending out little metal chromed brackets which are the part of the chrome surrounding around the lens unit. It's just that chrome frame which stops you from taking the lens out completely.

I've done it on a halogen headlight which has almost nothing inside, with cornering bixenons there is so much stuff that even after unscrewing the lens you may struggle to turn it enough to gain access due to all the components inside.

What I would suggest is without taking the headlight off is cut a meter or half of a garden hose, or any flexible pipeline, tape it well with a ducktape on the end of the hoover handle so you wont loose suction and get the insode the headlight and hoover them out.

Pipeline ideally as thin as possible and dont keep the the hoover running for to long as flow will be very restricted and it may burn the engine, but this will not happen, its just a theory.

Are they cornering ones???
If yes then I think I've got a solution for you if you are going to use hoover with taped hose/pipe line on the end.

Get the H8 cornering bulb next to DRL and you should have no problem with getting them out ;)

Affirmative, they are cornering lights.

Which one is the H8 then? And you reckon it'll allow access for the hose in to the main void?

YES
H8 is the cornering bulb, see attached.
Access through the caps near the grille where the LED DRLs are.

Beezer! Cheers, I'll give it a try at the weekend.

You will be better off using air line like this one size 6x4mm or 8x6mm instead of hose.
Local plumbing shop should have them so get a meter or two, few pennies.

If you struggling PM me and I will send you length of it free of charge ;)

Where are the bugs mate, somewhere in the middle, closer to outside or closer to grille ???

I still haven't had a chance to look at this, but am off on Thursday and Friday so hope to then.

Had a quick look under the bonnet and there appears to be a cap/cover missing off the back of the headlight. Should there be one? Anyone know the part number for it on the passenger side light?

Hello mate, it would be much easier if you could post pictures each time in situations like that.
On the back of each headlight there are 2x caps.

They are a MUST !!!
Not having one is BAD.

See attached picture for part numbers.
Parts 5 and 6 and (5) and (6)

Apologies, you're right a photo would've been a good idea! Please see attached.

Though its hard to determine whether 5, 6 and 2 are all missing.

Jesus !!! How long is it like that ???

Email A8 parts immediately and see if they have one spare off a broken headlight.
New one from Audi I think is just under £10, but you may have to wait few days for it.

It's 5, cap for high beam LEFT

No idea, looks like its been missing for some time given the dirt.

Ah, 6 is for the low beam? I hadnt noticed the wee dotted line initially that points it down to the low beam region.

Correct, it's about 50% wider and if you have any type of xenons that's where the ballast is fitted, on the back of it.

Get that sorted please +++
Photo if insects??

There is a third one towards the back that you cant really make out.

You are quiet lucky, it's easy
See attached picture

Take both bulbs out, (left as you look at the picture) Main beam and (right) Cornering H8.
Both accessible from were the cap is missing.

Buy a meter of O.D. 8mm x I.D. 6mm
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/METRIC-Fle...item4ac9984675

Tape it well to the end of the hoover's hose and you'll be done in under a minute.
Garden hose may not fit plus you wont be able to manoeuvre as good as with the thin and more flexible air line ;)

Had a look at this today. Sadly removing the cornering bulb wasn't as easy as I expected so I gave up!

?????? Really?
As far as I remember all you need to do is turn the bulb anti clockwise and pull it out...

They werent the easiest things to see to be honest, but it looked more complicated than that!

Well, finally got round to tackling this yesterday. Got the bulb out eventually and the hole was the perfect size to allow some hose pipe to be threaded in. I taped up the Hoover and after a bit of wiggling got them all out. Over the moon!

Sadly I also found the original cap for the back of the headlight sitting further down in the engine bay, so could've saved myself £11.50!

Result +++
Did you actually used garden hose and the airline from the link I posted??

Just cut a bit off our hose and it was the perfect diameter.

You're welcome

Thanks for your assistance!