Hi

I have condensation in both OS headlights of an 06 X type Jaguar, and
noticed it soon after a main dealer had replaced both dipped beam bulbs.

They checked fitting of the rear caps on the lights and turned the lights on
for 30 mins, and told me that this should solve the problem. The next day it
was a bad as ever. I'm familiar generally with causes and solutions to
condensation, but lacking on specific knowledge in this context. I note a
tube on the back cap of the dipped beam, which looks like some sort of
ventilation valve.

I'm unsure as to accepting assurances that its linked to the weather and
should improve as it gets warmer (the NS lights are fine).

Can anyone advise on the likley cause and remediation?

Thanks

Howard

In article , HowardB
writes

I'm unsure as to accepting assurances that its linked to the weather and
should improve as it gets warmer (the NS lights are fine).

I wouldn't, I'd get it fixed pronto. If the condensation is left it
will damage the reflectors which will discolour, reducing the light
output, and it'll then be an MOT failure (i.e. new headlights = £££)

Can anyone advise on the likley cause and remediation?

If you are sure it only started after bulb replacement it is something
they have not done right. Make a scene.

Once they have 'fixed' it and we get some warm weather, leave the car
outside for a day with the back covers off the headlights to allow any
remaining moisture to dissipate.

Years ago, a friend had a Renault 5 with condensation in the headlights.
He tried a lot of things to no effect, then one day we were looking at
it, and I tapped the headlight glass with a knuckle. It fell out onto
the ground. The rubbery adhesive (almost like a gasket) between the
glass to the metal headlight body had failed.

Doubt that's the prob in your case though.

--
(\__/)
(='.'=) Bunny says Windows 7 is Vi$ta reloaded.
(")_(") http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/windows_7.png

"Mike Tomlinson" wrote in message
...
In article , HowardB
writes

I'm unsure as to accepting assurances that its linked to the weather and
should improve as it gets warmer (the NS lights are fine).

I wouldn't, I'd get it fixed pronto. If the condensation is left it
will damage the reflectors which will discolour, reducing the light
output, and it'll then be an MOT failure (i.e. new headlights = £££)

Can anyone advise on the likley cause and remediation?

If you are sure it only started after bulb replacement it is something
they have not done right. Make a scene.

Once they have 'fixed' it and we get some warm weather, leave the car
outside for a day with the back covers off the headlights to allow any
remaining moisture to dissipate.

Years ago, a friend had a Renault 5 with condensation in the headlights.
He tried a lot of things to no effect, then one day we were looking at
it, and I tapped the headlight glass with a knuckle. It fell out onto
the ground. The rubbery adhesive (almost like a gasket) between the
glass to the metal headlight body had failed.

Doubt that's the prob in your case though.

--
(\__/)
(='.'=) Bunny says Windows 7 is Vi$ta reloaded.
(")_(") http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/windows_7.png



On my old Rover 213 I took the lamp out and put it in the oven. Then someone
came to the door and it ended up too long in the oven and the plastic
distorted - trip to scrapyard followed.

"HowardB" wrote in message
...
Hi

I have condensation in both OS headlights of an 06 X type Jaguar, and
noticed it soon after a main dealer had replaced both dipped beam bulbs.

They checked fitting of the rear caps on the lights and turned the lights
on for 30 mins, and told me that this should solve the problem. The next
day it was a bad as ever. I'm familiar generally with causes and solutions
to condensation, but lacking on specific knowledge in this context. I note
a tube on the back cap of the dipped beam, which looks like some sort of
ventilation valve.

I'm unsure as to accepting assurances that its linked to the weather and
should improve as it gets warmer (the NS lights are fine).

Can anyone advise on the likley cause and remediation?

Thanks

Howard


I had same peoblem in C5 headlamp. I had put the plastic cover on the bulb
holder slightly wrong, leaving a small gap. I took the cover off, took the
bulb out and pointed a hair drier into the headlamp to dry it out. Took
about 10 mins.
Regards

HowardB explained :
Hi

I have condensation in both OS headlights of an 06 X type Jaguar, and noticed
it soon after a main dealer had replaced both dipped beam bulbs.

They checked fitting of the rear caps on the lights and turned the lights on
for 30 mins, and told me that this should solve the problem. The next day it
was a bad as ever. I'm familiar generally with causes and solutions to
condensation, but lacking on specific knowledge in this context. I note a
tube on the back cap of the dipped beam, which looks like some sort of
ventilation valve.

I'm unsure as to accepting assurances that its linked to the weather and
should improve as it gets warmer (the NS lights are fine).

Can anyone advise on the likley cause and remediation?

An air drier directed into the lens through the lamp socket will
quickly dry it out.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

petetop wrote:
"HowardB" wrote in message
...
Hi

I have condensation in both OS headlights of an 06 X type Jaguar, and
noticed it soon after a main dealer had replaced both dipped beam
bulbs. They checked fitting of the rear caps on the lights and turned the
lights on for 30 mins, and told me that this should solve the
problem. The next day it was a bad as ever. I'm familiar generally
with causes and solutions to condensation, but lacking on specific
knowledge in this context. I note a tube on the back cap of the
dipped beam, which looks like some sort of ventilation valve.

I'm unsure as to accepting assurances that its linked to the weather
and should improve as it gets warmer (the NS lights are fine).

Can anyone advise on the likley cause and remediation?

Thanks

Howard


I had same peoblem in C5 headlamp. I had put the plastic cover on the
bulb holder slightly wrong, leaving a small gap. I took the cover
off, took the bulb out and pointed a hair drier into the headlamp to
dry it out. Took about 10 mins.
Regards

careful with the heat source, I once aimed a hot air gun in a condensated
headlight and the glass promptly cracked, so use a low power hair dryer not
too close to the bulb hole.

Mrcheerful wrote:
petetop wrote:
"HowardB" wrote in message
...
Hi

I have condensation in both OS headlights of an 06 X type Jaguar, and
noticed it soon after a main dealer had replaced both dipped beam
bulbs. They checked fitting of the rear caps on the lights and turned the
lights on for 30 mins, and told me that this should solve the
problem. The next day it was a bad as ever. I'm familiar generally
with causes and solutions to condensation, but lacking on specific
knowledge in this context. I note a tube on the back cap of the
dipped beam, which looks like some sort of ventilation valve.

I'm unsure as to accepting assurances that its linked to the weather
and should improve as it gets warmer (the NS lights are fine).

Can anyone advise on the likley cause and remediation?

I had same peoblem in C5 headlamp. I had put the plastic cover on the
bulb holder slightly wrong, leaving a small gap. I took the cover
off, took the bulb out and pointed a hair drier into the headlamp to
dry it out. Took about 10 mins.

careful with the heat source, I once aimed a hot air gun in a condensated
headlight and the glass promptly cracked, so use a low power hair dryer not
too close to the bulb hole.

I've just replaced the n/s headlamp on my 3 series because of
condensation. I've tried everything to sort it, dropping a little sachet
of Silica gel on a string in, hair dryer etc. The best trick I've found
is taking the bulb cover off the back of the lamp, covering the lens
with a black t-shirt and leaving full beam on for 10 minutes or so.
It'll start to clear after a while, but don't expect to clear it all in
one go - I tried that yesterday, left the lights on for about 40 minutes
and cracked the light unit. It would have been fine if I'd let it cool
down between drying sessions, but I didn't. Cost me £15 for a
replacement light unit from a scrapyard and a couple of hours messing
about. It won't be that cheap for an x-type...

--
Pete M - OMF#9

'78 Escort 1300 Sport
'99 BMW 318is Coupé


"It's an Alfa, it will go wrong, it will **** you off, why should your
Alfa experience be different from everyone else's.
Now get back out there and swear at it before something else breaks."

In article , Mrcheerful
writes

careful with the heat source, I once aimed a hot air gun in a condensated
headlight and the glass promptly cracked, so use a low power hair dryer not
too close to the bulb hole.

not surprised. you're talking 250-400C in a narrow stream f air there.

Remember when people used to cut bottles by filling them with oil then
dipping them in a pot of boiling water?


--
(\__/)
(='.'=) Bunny says Windows 7 is Vi$ta reloaded.
(")_(") http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/windows_7.png

On Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:05:41 -0000, Mike Tomlinson
wrote:

In article , Mrcheerful
writes

careful with the heat source, I once aimed a hot air gun in a
condensated
headlight and the glass promptly cracked, so use a low power hair dryer
not
too close to the bulb hole.

not surprised. you're talking 250-400C in a narrow stream f air there.

Remember when people used to cut bottles by filling them with oil then
dipping them in a pot of boiling water?



I just use a red hot poker in the oil :-)