Headlight condensation

[DougX]

Yet again I’m suffering for condensation in my offside headlight. I have fitted the recommended Jaguar headlight breather tube and I have also cut vent holes (covered with a weather proof membrane) in the clear plastic head covers, but still having problems. Ran car for half an hour with headlights on full beam but although it slowly dried some of the condensation, it still had left water spots. Has anyone got any other ideas?

[Astromorg]

For some years now I've kept two or three little bags of silica gel just lying loose under that clear plastic cover and while it's not 100% effective, it certainly has improved my situation. Those types of bags, often found in packaging, require drying out if they absorb much moisture, but I find the natural heat in the engine bay after shut down does that job for me.

So fit and forget and hope

[andypryce]

I have done the same with rechargeable silica bags, see link below. Does seem to help. Much has been written about this across different forums and nobody seems to have a perfect solution.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeable-F ... 138&sr=8-3

[DougX]

I’ve given it a try. I have two hanging in the void behind the bulb casings.

[drjohnehunt100]

I would be interested to hear if this works as its also a problem with the F Type

[DougX]

OK will give a couple of weeks to see if there is any improvement and will leave a message on this page.

[drjohnehunt100]

Thanks that will be great - may also be worth sending in your experiences to the magazine / modern XK model section coordinators

[MarkX]

It's a very good suggestion, there was a similar approach on the To The Garage channel with a useful idea of placing silica gel packets in a mesh bag and attaching it to the rear of the clear plastic headlamp cover to aid inspection/changing the bags - the one year on review reported very good results https://youtu.be/zWOmdgQxZ3w?si=XrWqQrucQ4LbO7RA

More radical was an idea back in the JEC May 2014 magazine of cutting some holes in the covers and sticking a breathable roofing membrane across the back of the cover. The theory being the water can't get in but it can get out! There have also been various posts around the internet on adding additional breather pipes. To my mind if the silica works then no need to start modifying the headlamp.

I have the good fortune so far to get very little condensation in mine and wonder if its to do with the condition of the headlight seals?

[DougX]

I know it’s early days but I put two small silica bags in behind the headlight and took car out on Sunday. No improvement. Watching the ‘You Tube’ ToTheGarage video and noticed he put in about 6 or so little bags in. Will add more and see how it goes.

[drjohnehunt100]

I was talking to several XK and F Type owners last weekend about this and there is a lot of interest in seeing if this works or not - do let us know

[DougX]

The car has been in the garage for a number of weeks, so it’s too early to say. I will be taking out for the whole of next weekend so we will see what happens.