Headlamp condensation

[ManxNeil]

A couple of years ago I had the nearside headlamp on my 2003 4.2SE replaced when condensation formed inside the lens and several attempts by the garage to clear it failed. It has remained clear since.

In the last few months the same problem has occurred in the offside lamp, with both main and side lenses badly affected. The main lamp failed a couple of times and it looked as though the damp within the lamp unit was the cause. I therefore had the unit replaced, only for the comdensation to reappear immediately. The garage cited a faulty unit (poor seal) and a second replacement was fitted ten days ago but this evening I noticed it's starting to fog up again.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

[J44EAG]

No experience of it myself but a couple of suggestions.

I would be looking to increase ventilation through out the unit, I think. What you have is effectively a dew point situation similar to heating a room with only single skin brickwork and no ventilation to allow condensation to disperse to atmosphere. Similar again to condensation issues and single glazed windows.

Head lamps when used even for only a short period develop a fair heat at the lenses and other parts. As a headlight cools moisture is likely to build up inside the lamp unit. The result is the fogging issue if ventilation is insufficient or blocked in some way.

I don`t know if this is a common issue with the X350. Certainly I recall the XK8 had similar foibles.

For consideration, perhaps more ventilation is indeed required? Anyone else had similar problems?

Mike K

[ManxNeil]

Thanks, Mike.

It's interesting that the XK8 had similar problems. The fogging I noticed yesterday evening has since vanished, but it appeared after a day of intermittent showers but when the headlamps hadn't been used at all (I don't tend to use the automatic function so if they come on it's because I switch them on). I'll continue to monitor the situation.

Cheers,

[ptjs1]

Neil,

In my experience, the X350 can be prone to light condensation. Part of the cause is the design of the seal on the back of the light unit which can get distorted. In addition, many owners don't fit that rear cap properly when changing bulbs.

I know some owners who have drilled a very small hole at the bottom of the plastic lens thus allowing moisture to escape (and increase airflow). I haven't done that myself as I find that the condensation dries out within a day or so.

Paul

[ManxNeil]

Thanks, Paul.

Once again there's slight fogging this evening but it had cleared a couple of days ago, so perhaps your experience of the condensation clearing soon may be the case this time. Otherwise I'll think about drilling that hole.

Cheers,

[ManxNeil]

The headlamp condensation has come back with a vengeance and has possibly caused a failure in the xenon bulb in the offside unit. It's taken the shine off the triumphant return home of the car which has had extensive work to suspension and a brand new gearbox (see elsewhere on this Board).

Paul - when referring to the seal at the back of the light unit, do you mean the circular black access panel that unscrews? I was wondering whether, if I could find a rubber 'O' ring of the correct diameter, that would fit around the access panel and seal it better.

Now that I have the 'low compression' issue resolved and the car is running wonderfully again, this problem is infuriating, particularly as the nights are now drawing in and lights are needed all the earlier. It's booked in to the local agent next week for their investigation. They've already told me that it's a problem more with Land Rovers than Jags, and the LR solution is to pop a couple of silica bags in the unit for a week or 10 days until it dries out!

Having forked out a considerable sum of money for a brand new light unit three months ago, I don't think this is acceptable and intend to keep on to try and resolve the issue once and for all.