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Thread: condensation in the headlight??

  1. #1
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    condensation in the headlight??

    Does anybody know anything about condensation inside the headlight.... I asked Audi about it and I believe they said there was nothing possible to do or someshit like that. You guys and girls got any suggestions?

  2. #2
    Registered User jgun81's Avatar
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    I've seen many E46M3 owners who had problems with
    condensation inside of the headlight after installing
    halos or after painting the part inside of the headlight with
    body color. If you didn't do anything to your headlight, just
    go to dealers and ask them to replace the headlight.
    some one I know installed halos and had problems with consendation inside of the headlight. He went to dealers and got
    it replaced. He probably had an excuse, or the dealer was just nice.

  3. #3
    Registered User audirs6sport's Avatar
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    Re: condensation in the headlight??

    Originally posted by incognito
    Does anybody know anything about condensation inside the headlight.... I asked Audi about it and I believe they said there was nothing possible to do or someshit like that. You guys and girls got any suggestions?
    I've had this problem since DAY 1 when I picked the car up from dealer upon delivery. It is due to the fact that they do not seal these housings air tight nor fully. You can purchase silicone and apply around it.
    93 RX-7
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    2002 B5 S4 2.7TT 6MT
    2003 C5 A6 2.7TT TIPTRONIC
    2003 G35 6MT
    2003 E46 M3 6MT
    2003 996TT 6MT X50
    2003 C5 RS6 Ebony Pearl/Silver Int.
    2003 2ND C5 RS6 Daytona Pearl/Ebony Int.
    2006 E46 BMW M3 SMG II

    Current:
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  4. #4
    Moderator Benman's Avatar
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    Originally posted by jgun81
    If you didn't do anything to your headlight, just
    go to dealers and ask them to replace the headlight.
    Agreed. It's a warranty issue as long as you didn't moddify it. Just get it replaced.

    Ben
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  5. #5
    Registered User audirs6sport's Avatar
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    You can get it replaced, but it will not go away. Hella does not air tight seal the housing and they never will.
    93 RX-7
    2002 B6 A4 1.8T 6MT
    2002 B5 S4 2.7TT 6MT
    2003 C5 A6 2.7TT TIPTRONIC
    2003 G35 6MT
    2003 E46 M3 6MT
    2003 996TT 6MT X50
    2003 C5 RS6 Ebony Pearl/Silver Int.
    2003 2ND C5 RS6 Daytona Pearl/Ebony Int.
    2006 E46 BMW M3 SMG II

    Current:
    2007 B7 S4 6MT w/ EVERY option
    2008 C350 with EVERY option
    BMW M6 SMG III w/ EVERY option

    vehicle coming soon:
    2009 E93 M3 DCT

  6. #6
    Moderator Benman's Avatar
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    Originally posted by audirs6sport
    You can get it replaced, but it will not go away. Hella does not air tight seal the housing and they never will.
    But then why aren't all of us getting that issue? It would lead me to believe defect issue rather than manufacturing issue.

    BTW, off topic, will you be thinking of coming along on the Julian ride? Should have @ 4 or more RS 6 folk there along with 80 or more Audis!

    Ben
    Einstein once said, "I want to know God's thoughts, the rest are details."
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  7. #7
    Registered User audirs6sport's Avatar
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    Probably not... I got no weekend now a days.

    I guess some are just lucky. =) I've had my housing swapped three times already due to the condensation that kept building up, but unfortunately, it never went away. Until I applied silicone all around after I had taken the housing apart.
    93 RX-7
    2002 B6 A4 1.8T 6MT
    2002 B5 S4 2.7TT 6MT
    2003 C5 A6 2.7TT TIPTRONIC
    2003 G35 6MT
    2003 E46 M3 6MT
    2003 996TT 6MT X50
    2003 C5 RS6 Ebony Pearl/Silver Int.
    2003 2ND C5 RS6 Daytona Pearl/Ebony Int.
    2006 E46 BMW M3 SMG II

    Current:
    2007 B7 S4 6MT w/ EVERY option
    2008 C350 with EVERY option
    BMW M6 SMG III w/ EVERY option

    vehicle coming soon:
    2009 E93 M3 DCT

  8. #8
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    thanks for all the information.... so do you guys think i should go to my audi dealer (well going to put on tires on monday), should i tell them to buy me a new headlight housing and when they install it to add some more silicone??

    i never had this problem with the orginal headlight, when it was replaced, this started happening...

  9. #9
    Registered User audirs6sport's Avatar
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    Just keep getting it replaced. Once it reaches the fourth time and you cannot get the problem resolved, you can lemonaid your rs6 if you choose to do so, as long as you have purchased your vehicle from a licensed dealer.
    93 RX-7
    2002 B6 A4 1.8T 6MT
    2002 B5 S4 2.7TT 6MT
    2003 C5 A6 2.7TT TIPTRONIC
    2003 G35 6MT
    2003 E46 M3 6MT
    2003 996TT 6MT X50
    2003 C5 RS6 Ebony Pearl/Silver Int.
    2003 2ND C5 RS6 Daytona Pearl/Ebony Int.
    2006 E46 BMW M3 SMG II

    Current:
    2007 B7 S4 6MT w/ EVERY option
    2008 C350 with EVERY option
    BMW M6 SMG III w/ EVERY option

    vehicle coming soon:
    2009 E93 M3 DCT

  10. #10
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    Pictures Front headlight condensation

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Have a headlight that condenses after car wash. I tried to upload photo - not sure it is there.
    Is there a seal that I can easily approach and repair?
    I don't see a crack in the lens etc

    thanx

  11. #11
    Registered User lswing's Avatar
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    Resurrected thread award....

    Never had a headlight condensate, my car lives outside year round in Oregon, gets washed a lot.

    Guess would be bad seal, glue it? Pop the hood, seal along top of light right?
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  12. #12
    Registered User 1uglymug's Avatar
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    This seems like a great opportunity to clear your corners. If you need to remove your headlamp to add silicone follow these instructions by nene.

    http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php/38...ions-no-pix?s=
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  13. #13
    Registered User RAUDI's Avatar
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    I almost mentioned the decade long hiatus of this thread earlier, but felt like too junior of a member. Wouldn't the right answer be to remove, separate, dry, and seal it? Otherwise it's just getting sealed with all of the moisture in it. Is there a nice option for aftermarket that retains use of the leveling system? Then he could just make sure the new ones are sealed and replace 'em.
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  14. #14
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    Can the light be sealed without taking the car apart as suggested in the link by "1uglymug" above?
    When I lift the hood it looks like the plastic cover over the lights is held in place by metal clips....my finger pointing

    There is a bead of black sealant along the top edge that is absent in areas....my finger pointing

    Click image for larger version. 

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    is it possible that the water gets in along this line?

  15. #15
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    +1

    With the amt of water in that housing....taking it apart is the only choice


    Quote Originally Posted by RAUDI View Post
    I almost mentioned the decade long hiatus of this thread earlier, but felt like too junior of a member. Wouldn't the right answer be to remove, separate, dry, and seal it? Otherwise it's just getting sealed with all of the moisture in it. Is there a nice option for aftermarket that retains use of the leveling system? Then he could just make sure the new ones are sealed and replace 'em.

  16. #16
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    What do the metal clips do? "taking it apart is the only choice" - how?

  17. #17
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    Look around for a clear corner DIY

    Same process

    Bumper comes off

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Wendel View Post
    What do the metal clips do? "taking it apart is the only choice" - how?

  18. #18
    Registered User Bigglezworth's Avatar
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    I've split headlights on one of my other cars and simply used some boiling water. Let the light sit in the water for 3-4 mins to soften the sealant, and then pulled apart. No oven required for that effort. Will be removing the yellow signal lenses over the next 24 hours on my headlights while I have the front all apart. Can report back some quick thoughts for your consideration.
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