Author Topic: Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG  (Read 5541 times)

Offline Condensation

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Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG
« on: 23 December 2014, 20:20 »
I took delivery of my new VW Golf Gti on September the 2nd 2014 and since then have often noticed large amounts of condensation within the headlamp units.

I am angry and disappointed that vehicle manufacturers and retailers choose not to disclose this type of information to potential owners.

Merry Christmas  :angry:

Shortened  :laugh:
« Last Edit: 24 December 2014, 01:09 by Condensation »

Offline Jimble

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Re: Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG
« Reply #1 on: 23 December 2014, 20:46 »
It's normal mate, i agree it's not the best but it's never stopped me seeing in the dark as the xenon beam clears the lense directly in front of the lamp.



Currently pootling around in our family wagen, a Tiguan SEL 😂

Offline monkeyhanger

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Re: Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG
« Reply #2 on: 23 December 2014, 21:06 »
The headlights are vented so that the plastic housing does not expand and contract in service through heating and cooling when the dipped/main beam is on. This may not be necessary with 100% LED headlights that are coming through as optional equipment on some marques as LEDs put out very little heat with the light. Vented headlights are extremely common, they are almost all like that.

Sorry to be so blunt on your first topic (not my style at all  :smiley:), but I find it hard to believe your lights suddenly fogged over when condensation "appeared", having almost the same effect as turning the lights out or down significantly - this could only really happen if on your journey you passed through an area that was significantly colder than where you'd just been (like 10C cooler or more) to cause rapid condensation if there was an abundance of uncondensed moist air in your headlights. I think there might be a little over dramatisation to a very minor inconvenience there.

It's more likely they were fogged over at the start of your journey, perhaps you drove from a well lit area to an inlit area and noticed a difference in lighting focus. The water in moist air condenses on the cold internal housing (most likely starting well after the completion of a journey), and having the lights on for your next journey will start to warm the housing up, allowing the condensation to evaporate again.

My lights occasionally fog up, but I have never been unable to see the road ahead clearly because of it, the area around the Xenon bulb is clear almost instantly because of the heat output.

Have you tried clearing out your lights by putting a few dessicant bags around the opening where you would change the bulbs? This should get rid of any stored water in significant quantities that may remain from transit. Our unseasonally warm and wet winter (so far) isn't helping to dry out the the headlamps - we need some cold and dry air for that.

The pattern of condensation seen on your video below shows most of the condensation affecting the halogen static cornering light rather than the Xenon discharge dipped/main beam bulb on the outside (which you don't have lit). Your pictures don't seem to demonstrate a chronic issue that most others won't experience.

Whey ya bugger! It's finally arrived after an 8 month wait....
MK7 R 5 door, manual, Lapiz Blue, Prets.

Offline CraigW

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Re: Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG
« Reply #3 on: 23 December 2014, 22:42 »
Nice positive introduction and welcome to the forum

MH, I don't think this OP deserves such a detailed response. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill on something that pretty much all of us have suffered from now and again.

Judging by his username I doubt he'll be sticking around very long anyway  :whistle:

Offline Condensation

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Re: Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG
« Reply #4 on: 24 December 2014, 00:06 »
Nice positive introduction and welcome to the forum

Judging by his username I doubt he'll be sticking around very long anyway  :whistle:

Thanks for your positive welcome  :wink:

Merry Christmas
« Last Edit: 24 December 2014, 01:13 by Condensation »

Offline monkeyhanger

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Re: Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG
« Reply #5 on: 24 December 2014, 07:48 »
I just wanted to make sure you understood why your issue was happening (in a non-agressive manner, there's so much of that about these days), and that it is a very common thing which will really not affect the efficacy of your dipped/main beam.

Anyways, welcome to the Forum, i'm sure you'll find lots of useful info about your GTI here (you might be needing to read up about sticky fuel flaps soon, I filled up this morning and it almost didn't open for me.
Whey ya bugger! It's finally arrived after an 8 month wait....
MK7 R 5 door, manual, Lapiz Blue, Prets.

Offline valvebounce

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Re: Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG
« Reply #6 on: 24 December 2014, 07:57 »
Condensation, We were all new to this forum once and had an expectation that our perfectly valid concerns & queries would be answered in a pleasant way. Please don't be put off by a sarcastic, mean reply. Nobody owns the forum, the vast majority of people are generous with their advice. You shouldn't feel you need to edit your original post either. Please stick around.
John

Offline mcmaddy

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Re: Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG
« Reply #7 on: 24 December 2014, 08:29 »
New users sometimes don't use the search facility but saying that sometimes experienced forum folk don't either  :grin: Keep up the technical responses Matt they are very informative.
TCR, Pure Grey, DCC, Dynaudio and Climate Screen.

Offline monkeyhanger

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Re: Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG
« Reply #8 on: 24 December 2014, 08:40 »
New users sometimes don't use the search facility but saying that sometimes experienced forum folk don't either  :grin: Keep up the technical responses Matt they are very informative.

It comes from having sod-all to do at work!  :whistle:
Whey ya bugger! It's finally arrived after an 8 month wait....
MK7 R 5 door, manual, Lapiz Blue, Prets.

Offline mcmaddy

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Re: Condensation within headlamp units - GTI MK7 DSG
« Reply #9 on: 24 December 2014, 08:42 »
Have a good Christmas and hope your car gets repaired too  :smiley:
TCR, Pure Grey, DCC, Dynaudio and Climate Screen.