01-10-2014, 02:19 PM | #1 |
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Headlight condensation
1-year old F20, with factory standard halogen headlights, has condensation on rainy days. When the weather is sunny, the condensation gradually disappears. The condensation appears only on the edges of the lights, see photo. BMW garage says this is normal, but even FIATs don't have this problem, and they are FIAT !!
Has anyone else got this issue and how did you solve it? |
01-11-2014, 05:12 AM | #3 |
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Yeah seems to be a common problem and I haven't seen a solution other than "It's normal". Nice to see another owner sporting Midnight Blue though, bugger to keep clean isn't it.
Actually not sure what colour that is as on a different screen it looks black.
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01-11-2014, 07:56 AM | #5 |
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Some condensation is normal but it depends on how often and whether it goes ok. Have you used a pressure washer? I'd check the headlight vent and bulb seals.
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01-11-2014, 08:00 AM | #6 |
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Had it on my prev BMW, my Qashqai does it (Xenon), prev Audis have done it. Nothing to worry about.
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01-11-2014, 12:51 PM | #7 |
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It seems to me like the previous generations of BMWs were a little bit worse than the F20 when it comes to this. It started with the E36, and has happened ever since.
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01-11-2014, 02:39 PM | #8 |
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Can't say I have noticed any condensation on mine (Adaptive Xenons) but I'll keep an eye out.
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01-12-2014, 03:58 AM | #9 |
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01-12-2014, 04:01 AM | #10 |
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Mine is possibly less susceptible as if I'm not actually driving it the car is sitting in the garage, sometimes for days as my annual mileage is very low at 3 to 5k.
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120d Sport gone and replaced with X1 18d XDrive MSport Auto.
No Xenons but plenty of creature comforts. |
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01-12-2014, 04:47 AM | #11 |
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Normal?
Some interesting points. The dealer dismissed it as "normal". However:
1. Condensation, as defined on the dictionary, occurs when warmer air comes into contact with colder air, therefore somewhere around the light there is a flow of air & humidity between the inside and the outside. This condensation eventually will lead to the formation of mould, a growth of minute fungi, just like on the inside of some house windows. Not very nice. 2. It occurs only towards the edges of the light because the lamp beams heat most the central part of the light, evaporating the humidity in that area. 3. Currently it's happening only on the driver's side. 4. My F20 is parked outside together with about 20 other cars, none of which have this problem, despite being subjected to the same weather conditions (Toyota, VW, Renault, etc.). 5. It's 1 year old, under a 3-year warranty, and the problem will surely get worse as it gets older. For me, this is not normal, it's a problem, certainly a very minor one at this stage, but I intend to make use of the warranty, as long as I can. I am waiting for the official response from the dealer then I will take it up directly with BMW themselves. I hope I don't have to go further than that just to have a silly problem like this fixed. P.S. Bob, to answer your question, my car is metallic black, like the Batmobile. |
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01-12-2014, 05:18 AM | #12 | |
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I have also noticed that a friend of mine who is extremely into car detailing is a lot more affected by headlight condensation than I am, so washing your car frequently, seems to make it worse. |
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01-12-2014, 07:07 AM | #13 | |
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@mose999 be interesting to see what the dealer comes back with. Personally I'm not concerned... two years left on the warranty so plenty of time to watch out for any ill effects |
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01-14-2014, 02:05 AM | #14 |
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F20 manual
Well, it's all described among the 304 pages of the handbook. Page 256 says:
Headlight glass During cool or humid weather the exterior lights can mist over. When driving with the light switched on, the condensation disappears after a short time. There is no need to replace the headlight glass. If the headlights do not defrost, even when driving with the lights switched on and increasing moisture builds up, for example water droplets in the lights, have these checked by the service centre. My case is definitely the former. Besides, scanning through several forums, I have read of similar behaviour in cars of other manufacturers. Perhaps this is not normal, but it's certainly not uncommon either. I guess, case closed for now. Thanks to all contributors. |
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01-23-2014, 11:35 AM | #15 |
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I used to have that issue with my car, eventually replaced the headlights for a different reason and didn't notice it as much.
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