Genedog

Alright Gurus..

it has been raining alot, then sunny and sometimes humid.. well i noticed my driver side headlight had some moisture in it (the passenger is crystal clear).. i tried using a heat gun (low setting) from outside and it dried up the condensation and it was clear again.. I just went outside (night) and it is back again.. so I decided to check with the Gurus.. and after reading a S#*t load of pages.. i came across a few post which had every thing from bake open and seal again to hairdryer or shopvac..

So.. I guess i am going to have to take them out but do i have to open them up? i have no intention on modding them.. i actually like the yellow.... or is there a sealer i can use from Pep boys or Autozone that can be applied from the outside? I have heard about the famous NISSAN sealer but will it work on this situation? or do i have to suck it up and open them then re-seal them?

Sorry for the MANY questions but i want to do this ONE time and that is it..oh BTW.. this is a certified used 2008 TLs so it is the stock lights have not changed a bulb and had it for a few months...

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Did you try unplugging the bulbs and leaving the car in the sun?

If you are able to get rid of the condensation, make sure you put teflon tape around the bulb and if you want buy the headlight butyl and apply it around the channel on the outside.

Good luck!

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

If you've never opened the lights, I would recommend not touching it because it's hard to duplicate the OEM seal.

What you have is humidity trapped inside the light. Don't do the heat gun again...just hair dryer method...it'll be literally from one second the next that you'll overdo the heat gun and the clear plastic turns opaque...I learned the hard way. The key is not just to evaporate the moisture, but you need to displace it and get it out of the assembly. Do the hairdryer thru the garden hose method into the DRL light hole...and unplug the plug where the HID wiring runs thru. You MUST open a 2nd hole to allow the hot air somewhere to go. This will displace the moisture in the headlight.


Good luck!

Acura604

is your car still under warranty? i had this and got the dealership to replace both headlights... take your photo to the dealership to show them.

Genedog

update:.. The blow dryer worked.. I followed Rockstar's advice..

here is the hose i used..



I managed to get the hose thru the hole



I attached a Funnel with Duck Tape to get MAXIMUM AIR FLOW



a few minutes later it was going / gone



I had a little bit on the corner left



I took off the hose and left everything unplugged and feathered the outside with a heat gun at low setting for about 2 minutes.. i was checking to make sure it was not TOO hot..

and DONE / GONE.. it's going to sit for a few hours with out the lights in just to make sure it does not come back.. thanks to ALL

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

Just a quick post....

OP what I would recommend is putting a layer of adhesive silicone around the headlight once again....this will help with the condensation....

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Great advice ^

Now since the condensation is out (congrats!!), you want to prevent it from coming back.

Genedog

I just went outside and now it is foggy with watermarks.... It will stay like that till next weekend, I can't work on it during the week due to work.. I will be following this DYI for removing the bumper..https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/diy-video-updated-removing-front-bumper-3g-garage-e-080-a-628363/

I have to find a write up on how to open the lights.. i believe i read some where that it was 200 degrees for 10 minutes or something like that..

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

I did 20 minutes at 190 (no preheat!) and they came apart pretty easy.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Lower temp + longer time = minimization of risk.

FYI: CLAMP THE HELL OUT OF IT DURING RESEAL

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Honestly, if you've never taken them apart, resealing them is not your problem. You may need to repeat the process but you're on the right track. Next step is to throw some teflon on the base of the bulbs to ensure a tight seal.

Was the condensation better this time around?!?!? You had A LOT of condensation in that first pic...it was actual DEW in the light so may take a few attempts IMO. Good luck!

Genedog

You know.. your right.. today it was just foggy but NO WHERE like it was before so i think i will give it a few more tries and keep you guys informed

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Good man! Honestly, to be slightly disappointed after taking 15 minutes a few times is still a heck of a lot better than taking 3 hours or more to open up the perfectly sealed OEM lenses and then STILL having a problem!

Plus, once the moisture gets as bad as what you had, the moisture packs are pretty saturated and my guess is they act like a sponge. A few more cycles and I am hoping you'll be golden. If you have a super hot day, take off the DRL bulb from the socket and leave it pointed where the sun is beating the hell out of the lense. That will also work, just takes longer but at least you don't have to stand there holding the ho's (or hose, depending on what kinda party it is )

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

Not gonna hurt to replace the dessicant bags while you're at it, too.