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The offside headlight unit had condensation covering most of the front lense. Here is my solution.
Remove the mainbeam halogen bulb. It was the easiest one to get to, but still a pig. I used a shaving mirror and torch to get a better view, albeit in reverse. You will have to unclip the washer bottle filler and pull off the drain pipe from the windscreen gutter.
I propped up a cylinder vacuum cleaner in the engine compartment and jammed the nozzle onto the bulb aperture.
Then I 'borrowed' a couple of hairdryers and directed them onto the outside front of the headlights at full heat.
After a few minutes the condensation showed signs of movement and very slowly the condensation started to evaporate and, presumedly, get drawn out by the suction of the vacuum cleaner.
When the moisture had completely cleared and dried up I left the vacuum running for a further 20 minutes.
The really painful bit was replacing the main beam bulb, but again using the mirror and torch I got it back in place and was able to snap(?) on the retaining clips. In true Fiat style the clips had lost the plot so I ended up using Blue Tack (!) to keep the bulb firmly located in the bulb holder.
I then used Cap'n Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure (every 70 year old should have some in their bathroom cabinet) to make sure that all seals and joints were waterproofed to prevent condensation re-occuring.
Time will tell if the cure is permanent, but I was quite chuffed with the result.
______________________________________________________________ "On all the oceans white caps flow,
You see no crosses row on row
But those who sleep beneath the sea,
Rest in peace for your country is free".
If you release the bulb a small amount. ie undo the clip but dont remove it, the leave the lights on full beam for about 20-30 mins it will also dry it all out.
The headlight shouldn't be sealed, just leaving them on for a period should clear them.
Somewhere on the unit should be a breather hole for them, check if it's blocked.
The headlight units had been wet for over 3 months, despite using dipped lights always on when driving.
There are no breather vents discernible. If there were some they were definitely not viable.
On the back end of all bulb holders were waterproof screw on sealing caps. In other words no where for excess water to escape.
The condensation was more than just a light misting and was made of of largish water droplets.
______________________________________________________________ "On all the oceans white caps flow,
You see no crosses row on row
But those who sleep beneath the sea,
Rest in peace for your country is free".
hi spacerunner. it is easier to take out the complete head light ( fiat x 250 ).i had to take out the full headlight from the offside which is where the horn is located to fit air horns . lift the bonnet this applies to left or right head light just under the head light there is a strip with 1 phillips screw in then gently put it away from the head light the other end is a clip so pull it towards you on the top of the head light there is a flat piece with 2 screws in lift the plate up and again a clip. the head light unit has 3 bolts undo and again a clip gently lift it to you and undo the multi plug . and they are not sealed because i had a fly in mine which soon came out . by the way if any one want to fit extras there is loads of room behind the headlights .jud p.s if you have condensation in your headlights for 3 months it sounds to me that you have water getting in to them check your scuttle drains they could be letting water in the back of the headlights i am sure of that
hi spacerunner. it is easier to take out the complete head light ( fiat x 250 ).i had to take out the full headlight from the offside which is where the horn is located to fit air horns . lift the bonnet this applies to left or right head light just under the head light there is a strip with 1 phillips screw in then gently put it away from the head light the other end is a clip so pull it towards you on the top of the head light there is a flat piece with 2 screws in lift the plate up and again a clip. the head light unit has 3 bolts undo and again a clip gently lift it to you and undo the multi plug . and they are not sealed because i had a fly in mine which soon came out . by the way if any one want to fit extras there is loads of room behind the headlights .jud p.s if you have condensation in your headlights for 3 months it sounds to me that you have water getting in to them check your scuttle drains they could be letting water in the back of the headlights i am sure of that
Thanks Jud, thats exactly what I wanted to do but didn't have the bottle to start stripping down.
I took off the top small triangular panel which allows better access to the bulb holders and could also see where the small bottom trim came off. I couldn't see where and how many fixtures there were on the headlight unit itself so chickened out .
As in my op I did run some 'crack cure' round all the seals that I could see.
I was quite concerned that the moisture might cause the silvering to deteriorate and thereby cause an MOT failure.
Anyway so far so good.....but had no rain at all so not really tested
It seems that part of the 'scuttle fix ' is to drill bloody great holes in the scuttle just inboard of the wiper spindle....right above the headlight Soi I am attempting to make a drain tube from this hole into the main scuttle drain.
______________________________________________________________ "On all the oceans white caps flow,
You see no crosses row on row
But those who sleep beneath the sea,
Rest in peace for your country is free".
hi spacerunner. it is easier to take out the complete head light ( fiat x 250 ).i had to take out the full headlight from the offside which is where the horn is located to fit air horns . lift the bonnet this applies to left or right head light just under the head light there is a strip with 1 phillips screw in then gently put it away from the head light the other end is a clip so pull it towards you on the top of the head light there is a flat piece with 2 screws in lift the plate up and again a clip. the head light unit has 3 bolts undo and again a clip gently lift it to you and undo the multi plug . and they are not sealed because i had a fly in mine which soon came out . by the way if any one want to fit extras there is loads of room behind the headlights .jud p.s if you have condensation in your headlights for 3 months it sounds to me that you have water getting in to them check your scuttle drains they could be letting water in the back of the headlights i am sure of that
Thanks Jud, thats exactly what I wanted to do but didn't have the bottle to start stripping down.
I took off the top small triangular panel which allows better access to the bulb holders and could also see where the small bottom trim came off. I couldn't see where and how many fixtures there were on the headlight unit itself so chickened out .
As in my op I did run some 'crack cure' round all the seals that I could see.
I was quite concerned that the moisture might cause the silvering to deteriorate and thereby cause an MOT failure.
Anyway so far so good.....but had no rain at all so not really tested
It seems that part of the 'scuttle fix ' is to drill bloody great holes in the scuttle just inboard of the wiper spindle....right above the headlight Soi I am attempting to make a drain tube from this hole into the main scuttle drain.
hi spacerunner . yes i know what you mean about being scary taking them out but take you time and it will be o.k put extra drainage in mine there is a few ways you can tackle this i got the smallest pond pump pipe there is and a fitting from b&q with screw fitting to make a seal and used black silkaflex job done.jud
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UK
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Soi I am attempting to make a drain tube from this hole into the main scuttle drain.
