Headlamp Condensation Issue - 1988 240
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Headlamp Condensation Issue - 1988 240
I thought it would be a better-documented issue, but I can't find much out there for headlamp condensation in 240s. I know they're supposed to be sealed assemblies, but after a month of constant rain, I've got water condensing in both. I tried to get rid of it with a blow dryer, but no luck.
If anyone has dealt with this before and knows of a way to fix this, that'd be great. My goal is to fix it before the headlights get fogged up. I'm also curious if there are any typical leak entry points besides where the bulb is attached. It's probably worth noting that my headlamps have no holes or cracks that I've seen. Thanks!
If anyone has dealt with this before and knows of a way to fix this, that'd be great. My goal is to fix it before the headlights get fogged up. I'm also curious if there are any typical leak entry points besides where the bulb is attached. It's probably worth noting that my headlamps have no holes or cracks that I've seen. Thanks!
no mo volvo
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: 37 North on the left coast
how old are your headlights? I find those big TV panel lights on the 86+ 240's need to be replaced about every 10 years. the Depo brand ones on fleabay are pretty decent quality (much better than most Chinese aftermarket headlights) and quite reasonable compared with the OEM Cibie lights.
I'd suggest getting the ones that include the mounting bracket and adjusters as the little plastic pivot things tend to break when you try and get the headlight off the adjustment pivots, plus your old adjusters are likely corroded enough they barely move anymore
I'd suggest getting the ones that include the mounting bracket and adjusters as the little plastic pivot things tend to break when you try and get the headlight off the adjustment pivots, plus your old adjusters are likely corroded enough they barely move anymore
Check that you still have the little nubbins that are on the face of the lens that are used for adjusting. They had been filed off my car for some reason; they left behind tiny little holes that rainwater will get into. I filled the holes with SuperGlue and dried out the puddle inside with old socks on a picker-upper through the hole the bulb goes into.A little heat gun action through the same hole finished the job.
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They are supposed to be sealed but by now the seal has gone bad. I pulled mine out and re-sealed them with silicone caulking. Worked pretty well. Lasted four years and counting without condensation.
To do this, I just pulled out the whole headlight assembly and pried the lense right off (pretty easy as the seal around the edge was mostly gone already - thus the condensation). Then I applied a bead of silicon caulk around the groove on the headlight tub, pressed the lens on and held it with tape until the caulk dried.
To do this, I just pulled out the whole headlight assembly and pried the lense right off (pretty easy as the seal around the edge was mostly gone already - thus the condensation). Then I applied a bead of silicon caulk around the groove on the headlight tub, pressed the lens on and held it with tape until the caulk dried.
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They are supposed to be sealed but by now the seal has gone bad. I pulled mine out and re-sealed them with silicone caulking. Worked pretty well. Lasted four years and counting without condensation.
To do this, I just pulled out the whole headlight assembly and pried the lense right off (pretty easy as the seal around the edge was mostly gone already - thus the condensation). Then I applied a bead of silicon caulk around the groove on the headlight tub, pressed the lens on and held it with tape until the caulk dried.
To do this, I just pulled out the whole headlight assembly and pried the lense right off (pretty easy as the seal around the edge was mostly gone already - thus the condensation). Then I applied a bead of silicon caulk around the groove on the headlight tub, pressed the lens on and held it with tape until the caulk dried.
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worldwearyeyes
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Sep 9, 2011 10:10 AM
