Condensation in headlights

[BenannahCoupe]

Good Morning all,

I have just picked up my new car (e350) having only had it a few days and having had the 2010 model prior to this i have a question.

I have noticed that the headlights have a little bit of condensation. I raised this to the garage when i bought the car and they said with the full LED lights this is nornmal. If it didnt disappear after 2 minutes of the lights being then there could be a problem?

Firstly is this correct?
secondly im guessing there needs to be some arflow to allow the LEDs to cool down?

Im still at the exciting stage of having my new car so please excuse me for putting a few pics up

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/benannah/IMG_20170113_093916_zpslvkdlwvz.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/benannah/IMG_20170113_093930_zpsolyu6pmy.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/benannah/IMG_20170113_093920_zpsnhw1bnuk.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/benannah/IMG_20170113_093926_zpszumfbqdb.jpg

 

[CowleyStJames]

My wife's Audi A5 estate is exactly the same. We questioned it with Audi dealer when it went for service and he told us they're not totally sealed units, which is understandable, so they do get condensation when cooling down.
This should disappear within a minute or so of being used.

 

[daveenty]

There's actually a section in the manual about this, nothing to be concerned about. Mine's done it from new.

Headlamps fogged up on the inside

The headlamps may fog up on the inside if there is high atmospheric humidity.

Switch on the light and drive off.

The level of moisture diminishes, depending on the length of the journey and the weather conditions (humidity and temperature).

If the level of moisture does not diminish:

Have the headlamps checked at a qualified specialist workshop.

 

[theogeor]

I had a similar problem years ago with a Seat Ibiza that my wife had. I put in the housing a couple of silicone gell sachets and the problem was gone for ever

TG

 

[BenannahCoupe]

Thank you for the replies on this, im never sure if the dealers are just telling you something you want to hear.

daveenty thanks for the quote, mine is also new and thats what got me a little more concerned, thank you for taking the time and quoting the manual, appreciated.

 

[doctorpaul]

My 3 week old E350 Coupe does that too, as the dealer warned it would.
Don't sweat the small stuff, just enjoy the torque!

 

[liamt]

I've noticed this as well on my A class after use of if i've just washed it, after a short period it does go. Glad that it is normal as I've been looking for an answer on this as well.

Liam

 

[Dippo]

Here's something from Osram:

https://www.carlightblog.com/2014/06/24/fogging-the-ultimate-guide/

 

[BenannahCoupe]

My 3 week old E350 Coupe does that too, as the dealer warned it would.
Don't sweat the small stuff, just enjoy the torque!

i sure will

 

[BenannahCoupe]

just worked out how to put the pics in the message

 

[fabes]

This may or may not work, but shiny photo paper taped right over the light will reflect heat
Leave the light on for half an hour with the paper on whilst parked up, and most / all will evaporate.

Not for a constant problem, but it worked for me after driving through a flood (brown trouser moment) but those weren't LED lights......

 

[BTB 500]

I've got a *lot* of condensation in the OS light cluster on the Vito (NS one is completely clear), so I'll have to try something

 

[StMarks]

I've got a *lot* of condensation in the OS light cluster on the Vito (NS one is completely clear), so I'll have to try something

Fwiw when I first got my Vito my NS headlight was constantly fogging up. I discovered that the rear plastic cover that you remove to change the bulbs had been poorly installed, trapping one of the wires. This was preventing the gasket from sealing.
After I noticed & rectified this, the condensation disappeared & has never yet returned.
May be worth a look.?

 

[BTB 500]

Fwiw when I first got my Vito my NS headlight was constantly fogging up. I discovered that the rear plastic cover that you remove to change the bulbs had been poorly installed, trapping one of the wires. This was preventing the gasket from sealing.
After I noticed & rectified this, the condensation disappeared & has never yet returned.
May be worth a look.?

Fingers crossed it will be something simple like that although I don't think the cover's been removed in the last 5 years.

 

[Mactech]

Tecnology advances and so do the problems and solutions.
In the '60s we had the 7" sealed beam unit. No problem with these as they were exactly what it said on the tin
As modern lights have become bigger and plastic lenses common place, sealed unit were no longer practical due to pressure differences inside and out side the unit. Modern units can be the size of a 20" wheel, not the 7" saucers of old.
Given the huge surface area and thin plastic, these would explode if you drove up to 10,000 ft....as you can in many places in the world
So we have to 'vent' these lamps. The trick is to make the air flow though the lamp the most 'water free' possible.
Some designs are better that others and humidity will always be a constant battle. So for most modern cars it will be 'a feature not a fault'
But do check there are no obvious non designed apertures in the unit, like someone has not fitted to access panel to the bulbs properly.

You really don't want your car's eyes exploding if you were to air freight it

 

[Headhurts]

I have only ever seen this once in mine, ILS but up to recently my car has been kept on the drive.

I now keep it in the garage since it has been extended and cleared out.


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[Red C220]

Our SL suffered this problem but it would almost never clear even after an hours driving.

It went for a parts modification to both lights this month, they fit a different boot and some sort of desicant into the back of each unit to solve the issue. If that doesn't solve it we've been asked to take it back and they'll replace both headlight units.

So at least with the SL it's a known issue enough for MB to have made a modified part to solve it.

I'll know in a month or so if its working.

 

[MercE350]

I had mine checked not happy with, " it's normal it's a phenomenon of MB", there is now a MB fix only if the customer is not happy with the feable excuses, so it comes direct from Germany, so its bumper off and headlights out. Not back yet so can't tell if its sorted

 

[gr1nch]

Had the same initial problem with my new car. Three missing persisted for a few days, I was concerned, but read that it goes, so tired worrying about it. 3 weeks on, I've just cleaned the car after a short drive, then drove back and realised there is no missing whatsoever now. So hopefully, that'll disappear over time for those cars with LEDs also effected.

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[MBenzino]

I had mine checked not happy with, " it's normal it's a phenomenon of MB", there is now a MB fix only if the customer is not happy with the feable excuses, so it comes direct from Germany, so its bumper off and headlights out. Not back yet so can't tell if its sorted

Can you elaborate on what was done and it it helped?

Apologies for redirecting this thread.

Just noticed this in my C300h. Went on a long run maybe 2 hours total with a 5 min stop if that at about an hour in.

Got home went in for about 40 mins then went out again. Noticed the condensation then. Looked it up and found this thread obviously. A 50 min drive (with a few minutes stop at about 30mi ) and they were still the same. It’s is very wet and hasn’t stopped raining for a few hours.

Leaving again after 30 mins or so and the looked like this:

Back home after 15 mins and they look a bit worse??? :

Found myself checking out other cars on the road. Including newer and older mercs than mine and didn’t see it on any other vehicle