C5 X7 headlight steaming up.

[Peter.N.]

I appear to have water getting into my o/s headlight, the glass is steamed up with water droplets forming and running to the bottom. I have dried it out once with a hairdryer but the next time I looked it was steamed up again. I have checked the bulb covers and also all round the edges of the light unit but can't find a leak.

Any suggestions?

Peter

[GiveMeABreak]

Did you change a bulb in damp or wet weather recently or do you use a pressure washer?

Both these can cause water to get in. With a small amount, running the headlamps for a while will evaporate the moisture, but if it continually recurs, then the headlamp seal may be compromised and you know what that means Peter.

I had several issues with one of my front fog / indicator lamps units with water. Took the fog lamp off and cleaned it up several times - could not see an issue with the sealing and even applied some sealant just in case, but on replacing it, within a day the lamp had water in it again.

Replaced the unit for a new one and end of problem. I can only surmise it must be a very fine compromise to the seal and the outside temperature differences are enough to cause the problem.

You can try again with a hair drier, making sure you take the rear protective caps off to allow the moisture to evaporate - but if there is a seal issue then the same thing is going to happen.

Ditto with our old C3 - water collecting at the bottom of the headlamp - ultimately just had to get a new headlamp fitted.

[Peter.N.]

Neither of those Marc, The water forms in quite large droplets and runs down the glass, it reformed within days of my drying it out. Are these lamps a pain to get out?

Peter

[GiveMeABreak]

The front bumper needs to come off officially, but whether a partial removal can be done to access the lower bolts I can't be certain.

It was bad enough trying to get my DRL bulbs replaced that are on the underside of the headlamp units - so I took it to my dealer to remove the DRLs for me as they were very stiff from factory seal and no room to move syndrome. Once out and at home I could get my LED improvements in by hand - just. But the headlamp has 2 securing bolts below the headlamp at each lower corner.

Once a new unit is replaced it will need alignment and adjustment of course. So may be quicker and easier to get the dealer to fit it. Once the bumper is off it can be done relatively easily.

[Peter.N.]

Thanks Marc. Oh lovely, I must admit the bulbs are fairly easy to change though, that's an improvement on most modern cars! Fortunately this is the red car which we don't use much so no rush, except for any damage the water might be doing.

Peter