S-Class W221 Headlamp Condensation

[bhartv]

Hi. I have a 2006 S320 CDI with standard halogen headlamp unit. Took it to the car wash the other day and when I came home noticed that the left headlamp had some condensation on the inside glass.

Cleared up after a couple of hours but wondered if this was normal or not given that the right headlamp was fine after the car wash.

Do I need to check any seal or something under the bonnet? Thx

 

[The Boss]

i think when a car as new as 2006 has this kind of issue, take it back to mercedes and ask for a replacement, not a repair, but a replacement.

Condensation occurs either after wear and tear of seal, or poor construction.. hence newer cars with condensation make it

1. look cheap
2. spoil appearence
3. have a lower than expected quality.

is mercedes cause a fuss over the seal and joint, take it up with mercedes milton keynes, and failing that, which? consumers guide etc etc

but dont sit around with it!

 

[Diesel Benz]

I don't see how wear on a seal could make this happen, after all the only seal that I can think of being subject to wear is the rubber flap behind the bulb.

A bit of condensed water could appear e.g. if the lights have been on before car wash and have hot air inside, then at the car wash the light unit cools down, meaning it draws air from outside (remember the P*V/T=constant rule). The air at car wash is humid and usually at higher temperature than ambient. A bit of such air unavoidably creates condensed water at the coldest point when the temperature gets even with ambient.

If the light unit is OK, the condensed water should soon disappear. But if the light unit appears to have condensed water often or even some water at the bottom, there is likely a leak that should be fixed or the light unit should be replaced.

I remember an S600 owner form a US forum having this problem and if I remember right, his lights were changed. But a small amount of condensation might not mean there is an issue, try to figure out which one applies to your car.

 

[The Boss]

Condensation as it appeals will only occur with damness on the inside and this will only happen with a failed seal..

 

[The Boss]

and from a mercedes, this is totally unacceptable.

aftermarket parts.. fine.. i expect them to be crap, but from mercs, no way should this ever occur.. EVER lol

spoils the charm..

having been reading reviews of the New Bentley Mulsanne.. i realised how blessed we really were with cars of old... w126, 124s, 109s etc....

The new Bentley is going to be a sign of the hertiage quality, where mercedes was..

The quality of new cars is appauling and the new mercs could just invest that little bit more into the asthetics and feel of materials, it would make all the difference.... really would.

even in my new s class, im more disappointed than pleased compared to older models at my end...

 

[bhartv]

OK thanks for all the advice. I will keep an eye out and see if this happens again when I'm next in the car wash.

 

[Diesel Benz]

Condensation as it appeals will only occur with damness on the inside and this will only happen with a failed seal..

The head lights are not hermetically sealed, nothing like that on any car. They have to breath and this always creates a risk for temporary condensation inside the unit. But if it is anything more than temporary, then there is and issue.

 

[corned]

Have you checked to make sure the rear bulb access hatch is properly in place?