MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: bakili on April 26, 2012, 07:48:16 pm

Title: Headlights steaming up
Post by: bakili on April 26, 2012, 07:48:16 pm
Hey guys,

Its been heavy raining today all day. I have noticed, that both my headlights are steaming from bottom of headlights, working way up.
Is it common? I checked all back covers and it seems all tight.

 
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: bakili on April 27, 2012, 07:35:40 pm
 :popcornsoda:

I spent all day today trying to figure out the reason of headlights steaming up. Replaced all headlights bulb covers with brand new OEM cover, thought first its failed seal.
Still same. Both headlights misting up from same spots, bottom bit. If I drive car with lights on, as soon turning them off, mist starting disappear slowly. Weather not helping at all  :fighting:
The only different thing I did, activated to 25% indicators bulbs (US style), now indicator bulbs are permanently on. Can it be the issue???
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: stealthwolf on April 27, 2012, 08:01:25 pm
The headlamps aren't hermetically sealed. Moisture will work its way in and condensation will occur.

Some people on here have taped some moisture absorption packets (like you get in boxes of shoes) to the caps covering the lights.
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: Weston on April 27, 2012, 08:07:06 pm
I have this on my aftermarket lights. More on one side than the other so I leave one of the rear covers off which helps. Apart from that turning the headlights on wherever you go will help, or use a hairdryer to dry them out  :happy2:
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: bakili on April 27, 2012, 08:45:17 pm
The headlamps aren't hermetically sealed. Moisture will work its way in and condensation will occur.

Some people on here have taped some moisture absorption packets (like you get in boxes of shoes) to the caps covering the lights.

Silica gel packs???
Already have them in, but won't help
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: bakili on April 27, 2012, 08:50:57 pm
I have this on my aftermarket lights. More on one side than the other so I leave one of the rear covers off which helps. Apart from that turning the headlights on wherever you go will help, or use a hairdryer to dry them out  :happy2:

My headlights are genuine GTI.
The problem turning headlights on while raining makes it worse. Tried hair dryer job, and it helped. All mist gone, as soon went for drive with lights on, mist came back. 
After about 1 hr, parked on drive, mist disappeared from both headlights.
I put them headlights about week ago, went few times trough car wash, no problem, rained couple times no problem. But yesterday when sky opened with heavy rain, headlights started misting up. 
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: Weston on April 27, 2012, 09:53:00 pm
How bad does it get? Got any pics?
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: v2brett on April 27, 2012, 09:56:48 pm
i think the steam issues are probably caused by the wet weather conditions, humidity and up & down temp changes we`re having with the weather at the min.
 as above the silica packs should help to get rid of any steaming up what happens,
  As long as the steaming up isnt permanent i wouldnt worry too much  :happy2:
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: bakili on April 27, 2012, 10:01:26 pm
How bad does it get? Got any pics?

It starts from bottom bit where indicator bulb is, and works it way up. 
Will get pictures done tomorrow   :drinking:
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: bakili on April 27, 2012, 10:06:57 pm
i think the steam issues are probably caused by the wet weather conditions, humidity and up & down temp changes we`re having with the weather at the min.
 as above the silica packs should help to get rid of any steaming up what happens,
  As long as the steaming up isnt permanent i wouldnt worry too much  :happy2:

Seems to be happening in past 2 days, but disappears over night. If I leave car on drive, in the morning headlights are clear even if it was raining.
As soon have lights on it comes back.   
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: sanj on April 27, 2012, 11:30:50 pm
Mine do the same,but like you only when it rain's a lot,i've removed one of the rubber cover's at the back on each of the headlight's(the small one to get access to the sidelight's) and it's been fine since.I know it's not the best thing to do but it seem's to have got rid of it 100%,will put everything back to normal when the weather pick's up. :smiley:
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: bakili on April 28, 2012, 07:28:23 am
Mine do the same,but like you only when it rain's a lot,i've removed one of the rubber cover's at the back on each of the headlight's(the small one to get access to the sidelight's) and it's been fine since.I know it's not the best thing to do but it seem's to have got rid of it 100%,will put everything back to normal when the weather pick's up. :smiley:

 :happy2:
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: Msc1 on April 28, 2012, 03:03:19 pm
mine also have the same problem.
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: bakili on April 28, 2012, 03:24:48 pm
I bought today 2 new indicator bulb holders from main dealer, cost £14.25 for both.
I do think, maybe rubber casket failed on indicators bulb holders.
I will report back, if it will cure problem.
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: Russ_leeds on April 28, 2012, 04:49:38 pm
ive had this problem since ive owned the car for over 2 years
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: bakili on April 28, 2012, 04:55:45 pm
ive had this problem since ive owned the car for over 2 years

The only thing worries me is that headlights lenses will get stained from inside. Do you have any stain issues from inside lenses?

Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: Russ_leeds on April 28, 2012, 07:33:02 pm
no none at all. it only does it when its heavy rain, and soon dries afterwards. I've found since have the indicators coded the patch of condensation is higher in the light due to the heat at the bottom from the indicator
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: Timvgti on April 30, 2012, 02:05:56 pm
ive had this problem since ive owned the car for over 2 years

The only thing worries me is that headlights lenses will get stained from inside. Do you have any stain issues from inside lenses?



I do have 'stain issues' in my halogen o.e.m. headlights. In the past I forgot to put the rubber covers back on when I placed some led city lights. Drove around for about a week in heavy rain without the covers. Saw condensation in the headlights. Used a hair dryer. All condensation gone. Putted the covers back on, condensation never came back, but now the inside of the glass/plastic has dried 'spots/stain'. Only visible when lights are on (due to reflection).
Is there a way to clean this? Reach the inside with a cloth?

Thanks,

Tim
Title: Re: Headlights steaming up
Post by: scopes on February 18, 2013, 12:12:29 pm
It would be good to know if inside the lights can be got at?