Headlamp Condensation Problem

[Guest Stephen345]

Hi,

 

I have an old-style citroen c3 and the headlamps have blown a couple of times over the years. I guess during replacement I must have chewed up the rubber seal, allowing some moisture to get in. I now have a film of condensation on the lens and I am worried this might affect the beam and I am due an MOT very soon.

 

I've spoken to Citroen dealers and they say I cannot get a new seal; I have to buy a new headlamp for £125+vat. Any ideas where I can get a seal from, other than a scrap yard (I'm already looking into that option).

 

To make matters worse, it's the side where access is severely limited by the battery. So I am unable to get a hair dryer to blow warm air into it in situ. I can't see that the Haynes book mentions how to remove the whole unit but I imagine it is a PITA job involving removing the bumper.

 

Any ideas how I can remove the condensation. Someone said to blow air down a pipe but what sort of pipe and what would it be connected to? I don't want to melt the pipe or the hairdryer!

 

Thanks in advance.

[paul.h]

Possibilities without removing the lamp could include -

With the back cover removed it may dry out with the headlights on. Using a hairdryer on cold may also help by blowing in air to remove the warmed but damp air. As a pipe you could borrow something from a vac to direct the air at the lamp opening if your hairdryer can not get near enough.

Park the car on a dry sunny day pointing at the sun with the back cover removed.

If you have a garage, park the car inside overnight or longer with the back cover removed.

 

Rather than buying a new lamp/cover, why not just clean up the existing seal and apply a bit of sealant when fitting the cover again or it may just be the cover was not put back properly in the first place since it is a bit awkward and I have seen similar comments here before.

[Guest Stephen345]

Possibilities without removing the lamp could include -

With the back cover removed it may dry out with the headlights on. Using a hairdryer on cold may also help by blowing in air to remove the warmed but damp air. As a pipe you could borrow something from a vac to direct the air at the lamp opening if your hairdryer can not get near enough.

Park the car on a dry sunny day pointing at the sun with the back cover removed.

If you have a garage, park the car inside overnight or longer with the back cover removed.

 

Rather than buying a new lamp/cover, why not just clean up the existing seal and apply a bit of sealant when fitting the cover again or it may just be the cover was not put back properly in the first place since it is a bit awkward and I have seen similar comments here before.

 

With the headlights on, the water does evaporate and I have also tried using a vacuum hose to direct air in. Both help but I haven't got rid of the problem completely. You mentioned applying a bit of sealant; what kind of sealant were you suggesting? Thanks.

[paul.h]

Something like silicon sealant sticks/seals most things, just needs to be water resistant.

[Guest Stephen345]

Something like silicon sealant sticks/seals most things, just needs to be water resistant.

 

Like the tubes of sealant used in a cartridge gun when decorating? Thanks. I wasn't sure whether there was a specifically automotive product. The only problem with that is you would need to remove and replace it each time a bulb blew.

[Guest Little Grey]

Like the tubes of sealant used in a cartridge gun when decorating? Thanks. I wasn't sure whether there was a specifically automotive product. The only problem with that is you would need to remove and replace it each time a bulb blew.

 

Hi, I had/have similar prob; now just drive around with the cover off, the inside of the light gets a bit more dust but not much else.

anyway thats not the reply.

ref the silicone, depending on the "damage" to the original, you could try a trick, I have done a couple of times. using a strip of selotape stick it loosely to

a piece of clean flat glass or a plate, depending on the length required, then squeeze a thin (same thickness as original seal) constant bead of the silicon onto the selotape.......leave it to dry(about 24 hrs) then peel it from the selotape. you should then have a "seal" that could be used as a replacement. if it sticks to the selotape, try again but try a smear of oil (reeeally thin) onto the tape.......it may take a few trys but when u get it right it works, mite not last as long but......