misting headlamps

DCIRULIS · 12-06-2010, 02:33 AM

Hi all, Took delivery of my new F10 on wednesday this week. washed it yesterday(its white!!!) and noticed both headlamp units were misting up at the bottom. Is this anything to worry about? I know its been cold lately but my old 5 series never suffered from this misting. Ay advice apreciated

Dave

creepy coupe · 12-06-2010, 03:03 AM

I think it's just one of those things, my wife's SLK does the same, I even took the light lens off and dried them out and resealed with clear sealant, they still do it though.

Her car is 12 years old though, bit anoying on a new motor

m@rk · 12-06-2010, 08:02 AM

Mine had this problem with 2 miles on the clock. I took it into the dealer who did some tests and determined that one of them was bad enough to need changing.

There are 2 things to note here.

1. The units are not sealed so moisture can get in especially if you use a jet wash etc

2. Normally the heat from the lights would cause the moisture to evaporate thus not be a problem. If however you have Xenon lights (like I do) then they don't get hot thus you get the misting.

It looks naff and to be fair, BMW do have a set procedure to establish if it's a problem or not so just get your dealer to check it out.

Jeff123 · 12-06-2010, 10:24 AM

I took mine to a dealer when one of them was steamed up and they said that they would only replace the unit if it was "half full of water." They explained that water can get in and that the units are not airtight sealed.

I caused the problem myself by excessive hosing with the bonnet slightly open when cleaning it. I used a hairdryer to cure the condensation. It came back slightly, but I repeated the procedure and it is OK now.

That's six months ago and no problem since.

12-06-2010, 02:33 AM	#1
DCIRULIS Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 520 dmsport auto business nav Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: erith uk iTrader: (0)	misting headlamps Hi all, Took delivery of my new F10 on wednesday this week. washed it yesterday(its white!!!) and noticed both headlamp units were misting up at the bottom. Is this anything to worry about? I know its been cold lately but my old 5 series never suffered from this misting. Ay advice apreciated Dave
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12-06-2010, 03:03 AM	#2
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	I think it's just one of those things, my wife's SLK does the same, I even took the light lens off and dried them out and resealed with clear sealant, they still do it though. Her car is 12 years old though, bit anoying on a new motor Last edited by creepy coupe; 12-06-2010 at 03:12 AM..
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12-06-2010, 08:02 AM	#3
m@rk Major 46 Rep 1,074 Posts Drives: 2014 520D SE Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lincolnshire (sometimes) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 520D SE [0.00] 2012 Audi A7 [0.00] 2013 Fiat 500 1.2 L ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335D SE To ... [0.00] 2012 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00]	Mine had this problem with 2 miles on the clock. I took it into the dealer who did some tests and determined that one of them was bad enough to need changing. There are 2 things to note here. 1. The units are not sealed so moisture can get in especially if you use a jet wash etc 2. Normally the heat from the lights would cause the moisture to evaporate thus not be a problem. If however you have Xenon lights (like I do) then they don't get hot thus you get the misting. It looks naff and to be fair, BMW do have a set procedure to establish if it's a problem or not so just get your dealer to check it out.
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12-06-2010, 10:24 AM	#4
Jeff123 Jeff 318 Rep 1,451 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport x-drive F30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	I took mine to a dealer when one of them was steamed up and they said that they would only replace the unit if it was "half full of water." They explained that water can get in and that the units are not airtight sealed. I caused the problem myself by excessive hosing with the bonnet slightly open when cleaning it. I used a hairdryer to cure the condensation. It came back slightly, but I repeated the procedure and it is OK now. That's six months ago and no problem since.
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