Leak in front headlight

[CJ]

I've a problem with one of the headlights whereby water is getting in somewhere, I regularly mop out the water but it keeps getting back in. I'm mindful that I may need to remove the light unit, bake it in the oven to pull it apart and then ensure that the seal is sound but I was wondering if anyone had the same problem and has another solution. I'm not sure that drilling a hole in the unit will work as per the sidelights. See pic below.

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

Think you've pretty much answered your own question there CJ - can't really add anything except to say that going down the oven route seems like a lot of hassle to me - and you are leaving yourself open for destroying your light unit and being without it untill you find a replacement

If I were you I'd find out where I can get a second hand light before sticking your existing light unit in the oven.

Any chance you'd knock us up a few scones while you're at it though - if you could time it with a meet they could come in handy. If they're grand -sure we'll eat them - If they're like rocks - then we can throw them at the DUBS.

[CJ]

If I were you I'd find out where I can get a second hand light before sticking your existing light unit in the oven.

Problem is that this one was a replacement to begin with

Any chance you'd knock us up a few scones while you're at it though - if you could time it with a meet they could come in handy. If they're grand -sure we'll eat them - If they're like rocks - then we can throw them at the DUBS.

Yeah, sounds like a plan, but only if you reciprocate by boilin' up a few shpuds so as us Dubs can get a bit of country nutrition into us (a head of cabbage wouldn't go astray either mind you...)

CJ

[Mustang]

CJ wrote

I've a problem with one of the headlights whereby water is getting in somewhere, I regularly mop out the water but it keeps getting back in.

CJ from the above it sounds like you are saying that water is actually leaking in i.e. a seal is damaged and (rain) water is actually pouring in. (from this the condensation forms) Is this the case?
Or are you talking about some condensation forming, which then falls and gathers at the base of the enclosure? I know this sounds like a bit of a chicken and egg type scenario, but to my mind these are different problems.

The first case would indicate a much more severe, and hopefully recognisable problem, i.e. a larger hole in the rubber seal.
I am guessing that you have already visually inspected all the rubber seals?
As a suggestion, remove the light cluster, and dry out, remove the bulbs.Plug/cover one of the cable/bulb entries. Using a hair dryer blow air into the other open entry, examine the seals to see if air is escaping through a damaged seal.
As a more drastic measure you could fill the light assembly with water to see if it leaks!
Both of these measures will really only work with a large leak. Trying to find a pin hole leak is difficult.

Failing all that I would be inclined to cover the headlamp assembly seal with silicone. .
The rubber seals, where the wiring, bulb housing plugs into the main assembly, do these appear to be ok?

To be honest I'm not familiar with the FTO headlight assembly but....
Baking in the oven seems a bit drastic.

ALthough some homemade scones would be nice. Maybe one of culchies (that includes me) could bring along some home made jam!

Mustang

[CJ]

CJ from the above it sounds like you are saying that water is actually leaking in i.e. a seal is damaged and (rain) water is actually pouring in. (from this the condensation forms) Is this the case?

Yes, thats pretty much it.

As a suggestion, remove the light cluster

Problem is the bumper has to come off to get the headlamp assy out, this is the last option I want to explore.

Failing all that I would be inclined to cover the headlamp assembly seal with silicone.

Already done with no impact

Heating the lamp in the oven for 20mins at 180ºC will melt the seal just enough to allow you to pull the assy apart, its quite safe, the UK lads have been doing it for years AFAIK.

ALthough some homemade scones would be nice. Maybe one of culchies (that includes me) could bring along some home made jam!

Nice one, I'll bring the scones if you bring the jam, MFFTO can organise to bring some fresh butter from his creamery beside the cowshed

CJ

[Mustang]

CJ wrote

Problem is the bumper has to come off to get the headlamp assy out, this is the last option I want to explore.

Hence the request for a new facelift bumper
Always best to try and kill and few birds with the one stone.....

CJ if the water is leaking in as you say, then I would think the leak is most likely on the top/side of the headlamp assembly.i.e. not on the bottom.
You could still try the hairdryer approach.
Failing that, I would use a jug of water (a hose might be overkill) a try pouring it over isolated parts of the lamp assembly (left, right, top) to see if you can locate where the water is entering.
Again I'm not sure wheather there is sufficient access to the assembly for this type of investigation!

Best of luck with it.

Mustang

[CJ]

You could still try the hairdryer approach.
Failing that, I would use a jug of water (a hose might be overkill) a try pouring it over isolated parts of the lamp assembly (left, right, top) to see if you can locate where the water is entering.

Tried both already m8, no joy at all, looks like the bumpers coming off!

CJ

[Myfeckin FTO]

Tried both already m8, no joy at all, looks like the bumpers coming off!CJ

CJ - Apparently you don't need to take off the bumper - just loosen it enough and you will be able to take out the unit.

BTW - If I was going to all this bother and opening my light unit - then I'd stick in a couple of halo's on the dipped beam. They look well cool.
Theres a thread on the UK site (under special projects) that gives a walkthrough.

http://www.boidy.co.uk/images/IMG_76431.jpg