We have a 2002 Navigator that has moisture/condensation inside the headlights. What's the best way to get it out? (I was thinking we'd have to remove the housing/lens and wipe the inside with paper towels.) More importantly, how is it getting in there, and how can I prevent it from happening again?
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March 12, 2011 9:30 p.m. JoeyM SuperDork
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March 12, 2011 9:39 p.m. pete240z SuperDork
my inherited 1998 Grand Marquis has one headlight with the same.
I suggested to pop I drill a few really small holes, but he said no.
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March 12, 2011 11:48 p.m. Maroon92 SuperDork
JoeyM wrote:
We have a 2002 Navigator that has moisture/condensation inside the headlights. What's the best way to get it out? (I was thinking we'd have to remove the housing/lens and wipe the inside with paper towels.) More importantly, how is it getting in there, and how can I prevent it from happening again?
Permanently? Remove and re-seal the headlamp. Or replace it.
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March 13, 2011 2:22 p.m. daytonaer Reader
I have tried drying out the headlights (remove, then use a hair dryer) and then re-sealing them with no long term luck. I used silicone around the entire seam.
I did drill 2 tiny holes at the lowest point which worked remarkably well, but not perfect. I have noticed in the junkyard some headlights have built in drains, so I don't think this is an absurd thing to do.
After a few years the best thing I did was buying new replacements.
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March 13, 2011 2:22 p.m. monsterbronco New Reader
i pulled the entire light out of a car once and tossed it in the oven for a while on low heat. it got the water out but eventually it came back in.
best bet is to figure out where its coming in and fix it or just replace the entire light.
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March 13, 2011 2:31 p.m. Kendall_Jones Reader
A lot of headlights use (or use to) a goretex patch on the housing - it allowed the headlamps to vent & keep the moisture out. Maybe try to find a repair kit for goretex jacket?
Kendall
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March 13, 2011 8:13 p.m. wlkelley3 Dork
The tail lights in my RX8 would store water. I tried resealing them, that only let more water accumulate and not leak/drain out. I drilled small drain holes along the bottom and haven't had a problem since.
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March 13, 2011 8:26 p.m. Toyman01 SuperDork
Two 3/16 holes in the bottom of the housing is how I fixed the one on my wife's car.
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March 13, 2011 8:51 p.m. Lesley SuperDork
Another vote for drilling... replacement clear corners for the Dakota are notorious for fogging - a couple of small holes seems to cure it.
