DIY: Remove condensation from headlamp (temporary)
03-13-09, 09:52 AM
#17
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They are sealed, but seals get weak over time, water will come in eventually. If the breather hoses are blocked, the trapped water would take a long time evaporating through the seals it managed to seep into. Toyota saw this coming so they put breather hoses at the back of the unit.
Have not seen breather hoses on these head lamps....where is it located> Anybody know?
I barely have 1k miles on mine so don't see the need yet 
03-13-09, 01:26 PM
#19
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03-13-09, 01:29 PM
#20
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Hence, a long time ago, people were ripping off the head lamps and selling them on ebay, minus the 3rd bolt bracket....it was funny, they tell you where to get the material to repair it...LOL!
Mine is a non-HID. So I did not worry about stolen head lamps.
03-15-09, 09:23 AM
#21
I did this on my TL. Buy some clear or black RTV silicon at a parts store. Remove the headlamp from car, remove the HID ballast and all bulbs. Bake headlight in oven for 200 degrees (No need for preheat) for 20 minutes. Remove headlight and the OEM silicon used to keep the headlight sealed will be soft. You want to apply firm pressure all around the headlight and try to get that tight seal again. Hold pressure for about 10 min, after that apply a small bead of silcone around the headlight to fill in the gaps. You won't have anymore problems.
03-15-09, 05:31 PM
#22
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^^I have read this process from quite a few boards, yes it works.
03-18-09, 09:55 AM
#24
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I will tear this apart this weekend. I bought my clear RTV seal and I will get the HL out and will add air pressure while submerged on water. I should see a leak. Then I will seal, and do another leak test. I will do a detailed DIY on this repair.
I am tired of looking at my HL all wet inside!
The HL are sealed type, no breathers. Once there is a leak, condensation will ocur.
I am tired of looking at my HL all wet inside!
The HL are sealed type, no breathers. Once there is a leak, condensation will ocur.
03-20-09, 05:40 AM
#26
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Nope, out of the 4 year warranty. I do have extended warranty but this head lamp issue is not covered. I missed it by 2 months. The condensation appeared a bit late.
03-20-09, 05:41 AM
#27
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I am all geared up and will take pictures for those of you you hopefully will not find the reason to do this, but in case you have to, then this will be good reference.
03-20-09, 05:42 AM
#28
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I did this on my TL. Buy some clear or black RTV silicon at a parts store. Remove the headlamp from car, remove the HID ballast and all bulbs. Bake headlight in oven for 200 degrees (No need for preheat) for 20 minutes. Remove headlight and the OEM silicon used to keep the headlight sealed will be soft. You want to apply firm pressure all around the headlight and try to get that tight seal again. Hold pressure for about 10 min, after that apply a small bead of silcone around the headlight to fill in the gaps. You won't have anymore problems.
03-20-09, 04:44 PM
#29
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Finally did the repair! See my new post for the DIY!
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