Water Inside Headlight

[Blk_Lobo]

Does anyone notice water inside the headlight housing?

I notice a significant amount of water inside the headlights housing when I wash my truck. It appears as if the headlights are not properly sealed.

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[RFEJR]

Does anyone notice water inside the headlight housing?

I notice a significant amount of water inside the headlights housing when I wash my truck. It appears as if the headlights are not properly sealed.

Check your manual these are not sealed headlights and certain amount of moisture is normal.

 

[CurtisB]

Take it to the dealer and get it fixed.

 

[Sticks]

I used to design/engineer headlights. I can't see anything meaningful from your video, but it is difficult to get a good image of a lens.

Headlights are not 100% sealed. They need venting to normalize pressure changes due to temperature and elevation, and to evacuate water vapor. Minor condensation/fogging inside the lens is completely normal in certain conditions, and should go away as the lamp heats up and the vapor is vented. Actual water droplets are generally not normal and water pooling at the bottom would be a clear indication of a compromised seal.

 

[BoxxerDad@50]

Does anyone notice water inside the headlight housing?

I notice a significant amount of water inside the headlights housing when I wash my truck. It appears as if the headlights are not properly sealed.

 

[BoxxerDad@50]

Sorry not seeing it.

 

[Matso]

Not sure how a seal gets compromised when it doesn't actually exist in the first place.

 

[Sticks]

Not sure how a seal gets compromised when it doesn't actually exist in the first place.

??

There's a seal between the outer lens and the housing. And if there's an external driver, a seal between the driver and housing. And a seal around the aim adjustment screw. And the power connector. But the lamp isn't fully sealed.. because of the vent. The vents are hydrophobic and oleophobic, so any liquid water would have entered through one of the several aforementioned seals.

 

[CajunMick]

The OP not mentioned possible conditions that might warrant moisture. Like driving in rain, or car wash.

 

[Matso]

Right, Anyway Shawn's explanation was very concise I'm going with that. "oleophobic," I had to look that one up. I guess you don't come across that in organic or P-chem. Anyway it turns out such coatings degrade over a period of 1-2 years. If that means anything.

 

[ejouie]

I used to design/engineer headlights. I can't see anything meaningful from your video, but it is difficult to get a good image of a lens.

Headlights are not 100% sealed. They need venting to normalize pressure changes due to temperature and elevation, and to evacuate water vapor. Minor condensation/fogging inside the lens is completely normal in certain conditions, and should go away as the lamp heats up and the vapor is vented. Actual water droplets are generally not normal and water pooling at the bottom would be a clear indication of a compromised seal.

So, blinker vapor is real, but not blinker fluid?

 

[Chops]

The OP not mentioned possible conditions that might warrant moisture. Like driving in rain, or car wash.

OP said it happened while washing his car. I do my own washing too & will be careful to dribble not spray water on my headlights! Same with bicycle hubs.

 

[Chops]

Does anyone notice water inside the headlight housing?

I notice a significant amount of water inside the headlights housing when I wash my truck. It appears as if the headlights are not properly sealed.

Hard to see, but I assume the water gathered at the bottom near the tip of the cow horn?

How long did it take to drain & dry out?

Thanks for the heads up - I’ll be careful washing my car!

 

[ThisWas]

The old sealed beam headlamps didn't have condensation problems, their glass lenses didn't yellow with age, and they didn't cost $1,500 each to replace.

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