Why are my headlights full of water?

[William]

Had my smoked Hella's fitted today, washed the car when I got home and the main beam lights are full of water?? There is about an inch lying in the bottom of the light and the rest of the lense is fogged up with condensation. Any idea what is failing to cause this to happen?

[Simon]

Are they brand new lights? Or did you buy just the fronts and make your own?

[William]

They are brand new units from Germany Simon, hence the confusion really because they should be perfect. The only thing is the guy who fitted them also painted the surrounding rings black to match the grills, and that may be the source of the problem??

[Simon]

They are brand new units from Germany Simon, hence the confusion really because they should be perfect. The only thing is the guy who fitted them also painted the surrounding rings black to match the grills, and that may be the source of the problem??

? Why did he paint the surrounds...they should have already been black if they were genuine!?

[Demlotcrew]

William only got the front glass sections me thinks.

Andrew

[William]

mmmm not sure, I can't really remember studying them well enough before they went on the car. They were in Hella boxes and have Hella written on the lenses. Don't know what's going on?

[William]

Just found Andrew's post, you're correct Andrew, it was just the front part of each lamp unit

[Chris-W]

Did you use Hella backs? If you used Bosch they won't seal.

[kidsinister]

Are they on dipped beam?



*Gets coat*

[William]

Did you use Hella backs? If you used Bosch they won't seal.

f***ing brilliant.....wish I'd known this before I had them fitted. Can anyone help me?

[Demlotcrew]

William you need to get Hella backs, all E34s have them and they will fit.

Andrew

[Chris-W]

Are they on dipped beam?



*Gets coat*

Don't make fun - he's been to Hella'n back over these lights

*leaves*

[nasir325ic]

thats rght mate, get yourself some e34 backing units, and this should solve it

coz initially when the bosch units were fitted the driver side only fitted upside down, which meant the lights were

facing the sky, and could not be adjusted enough to bring them down, so we changed the backing unit for the

driver side, and when the car got washed the passenger side got steamed up

[William]

Thanks a lot guys, Andrew, any ideas on the best place to source some decent ones and how much they might cost? the lenses have been sealed and at the moment it seems to have done the trick but i think its very much a temporary solution - dont like the idea of a bodge job on my car.

[Demlotcrew]

Any good scrap yard will have a E34 in stock.

Andrew

[mrLEE30]

you could just try sealing the glass/backing joint area with high temp black silicone, remove the black outer rings rings and you will see the joint. This sealed area would be hidden by the rings once on the car anyway, this joint is the only place where water can get into the light unit (unless its getting in from the rear bulbholder area). much easier than swapping the lenses.

but if you want help doing the lenses then here's an article i wrote earlier

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... hhella.htm

[duffs17]

Are they on dipped beam?



*Gets coat*

Don't make fun - he's been to Hella'n back over these lights

*leaves*

brilliant!

[stuartgallafant]

you bastards!!!

[Bob_S]

it is funny but not the situation I was going to say e34's have em