All car owners are faced with the fact that the headlight is sweating from the inside, and beginners shrug their hands, not understanding what to do with it. They suggest that a problem has occurred with the light. In fact, if the headlight sweats, this is not a reason for panic. In this situation, there are negative consequences, but they will not affect the operation of the machine.
Why headlights are wet inside?
The primary reason is water. Running lamps heat the air inside the headlamp, and pressure rises with the rise in temperature. To optics simply did not burst, the headlights are not completely sealed. The pressure is equalized by special valves at the top and bottom of the housing through which air is flowing.
After turning off the headlights begin to cool, the pressure in them decreases and air from the atmosphere is sucked in through the valve. In autumn and spring - when the air is cold and humid - condensation forms on the glass from the inside of the heated headlights.
Is wet headlights ok?
Yes, this is a natural process. Condensation disappears just as it appears. Most manufacturers do not consider fogging a defect in headlights and allow short-term moisture formation. It should disappear within 30 minutes after turning on the dipped beam.
What if water does not disappear?
But this is bad! If the condensation inside the optics does not disappear, but flows down the glass and accumulates in whole puddles, turning the headlights into an aquarium, urgently looking for the cause of the ventilation violation. There are three possible options.
- Valve clogging. During prolonged use, they become clogged with dirt and dust, clogging the headlights. The air exchange of the internal cavity is disturbed. Moisture does not evaporate and condensation forms.
- Cracked glass or case. Even though minor damage to the headlamps, water can enter and accumulate there.
- Destruction of seals. Glasses, housing covers, and wiring harness connectors are sealed to protect the headlights from dust and moisture. Overtime or after an accident, the material is partially destroyed and does not fulfill its functions.
Is wet headlight dangerous?
Yes. There is nothing good about it. In addition to the ugly appearance of the headlights, fogging leads to yellowing and corrosion of the reflectors worsens the illumination due to the refraction of the rays on the drops of condensate and improper light scattering.
Besides, moisture spoils the electrical part of the optics. The lamps burn out ahead of time, the contacts oxidize, and the light may go out at the most inopportune moment. And, of course, the risk of a short circuit in the wiring increases.
How to remove water from headlights?
Need to dry the headlights. The easiest way is to remove the covers from the optics and turn on the dipped beam for a few minutes. In a heated garage and in warm weather, you can simply open the headlight housing and leave the car for a couple of days. Riding without covers is not worth it, otherwise, the dust will get inside and you will have to fight with dirt on the reflectors.
Another option is to direct a stream of air with a compressor or hairdryer into the headlights. In 15–20 minutes, all moisture should evaporate. The main thing is not to overdo it with the air temperature, so as not to melt the body and not to overheat the reflector or glass.
If the headlight is mounted on two or three bolts or even on the latches, it is easiest to remove it, take it home and dry it on a battery or just in a room.
Now you need to eliminate the cause of fogging so that everything does not happen again. Check the drain valves on the body. On different models of optics, they can be in the form of simple plastic caps, curved tubes with foam inserts or membranes with several holes. If necessary, clean the valves, replace the foam rubber with a new one.
Inspect the seals on the cover, make sure there are no cracks in the body and glass. It is worthwhile to independently fix these problems only if you are confident in your abilities. Often, removing the headlights involves disassembling the bumper, and to restore the tightness of the joints, you need a special sealant and sealing tape.
How to avoid water in headlights?
Yes, there are a few tricks to prevent condensation from falling out.
- If possible, turn off the headlights a few minutes before entering the sink to allow them to cool.
- Put a couple of bags of silica gel inside the headlight cover - it will absorb some of the moisture. Kia and other manufacturers install such an upgrade from the factory.
- Check the drain valves regularly and clean them so that the headlights do not clog.
- Check your headlights for damage
Now you should understand why the headlights are sweating and how to prevent this effect if possible. In general, this problem is not serious but requires a solution. To do this, you can contact one of the car services, where specialists will eliminate external factors that contribute to the formation of condensate in large quantities. The main thing to remember is that when the lights sweat naturally, nothing needs to be done, because this is due to the laws of physics.