Rapide S rear lamp condensation
Discussion
Noticed some condensation in n/s rear lamp of my 2013 Rapide S.
Searching on here for similar issues I found this thread from 2017 with an AM service bulletin detailing that drilling a small hole in order to blow air to dry it out is the recommended fix.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The service bulletin is dated 2009 so I wondered if this was still the best method or any of you had had success with other methods?
Thanks.
Searching on here for similar issues I found this thread from 2017 with an AM service bulletin detailing that drilling a small hole in order to blow air to dry it out is the recommended fix.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The service bulletin is dated 2009 so I wondered if this was still the best method or any of you had had success with other methods?
Thanks.
Can't comment on drilling the small hole to get the some ventilation in there, but I had tiny bit in the corner similar to your picture.
My thought process was well water got in there somehow in the first place then it should be able to escape too, so I run a dehumidifier in the garage and i think it pulled the moisture out.
Again might be wrong and just having it garaged fixed it but since I have been running dehumidifier I have not had any build up at all, after a wash or heavy rain.
My thought process was well water got in there somehow in the first place then it should be able to escape too, so I run a dehumidifier in the garage and i think it pulled the moisture out.
Again might be wrong and just having it garaged fixed it but since I have been running dehumidifier I have not had any build up at all, after a wash or heavy rain.
filski said:
Can't comment on drilling the small hole to get the some ventilation in there, but I had tiny bit in the corner similar to your picture.
My thought process was well water got in there somehow in the first place then it should be able to escape too, so I run a dehumidifier in the garage and i think it pulled the moisture out.
Again might be wrong and just having it garaged fixed it but since I have been running dehumidifier I have not had any build up at all, after a wash or heavy rain.
Thanks. Got a dehumidifier so I'll try that before reaching for the drill!My thought process was well water got in there somehow in the first place then it should be able to escape too, so I run a dehumidifier in the garage and i think it pulled the moisture out.
Again might be wrong and just having it garaged fixed it but since I have been running dehumidifier I have not had any build up at all, after a wash or heavy rain.
The hole and hairdryer is a common method and provides an escape route for moisture in future.
It's a very, very common problem, and has been for donkeys years, as you will find by searching on 'rear light condensation problem' on PH AM corner. Most on here are bored to death of the discussion. The rear lights are an utterly beautiful but utterly crap design and they leak. Period. (as our US cousins say)
Some split the units, dry and reseal. Works until they leak again.
Some drill a hole or two in the bottom of the unit and blow through compressed air until dry. Some try one way patches etc.
The problem is that water runs onto the top of the units from the rear door drain channels and pools on the top. Then, when night falls, temperatures drop, internal pressure goes negative and pooled water is drawn in through small cracks or the seal. It's just poor design and something we all live with.
I drilled mine, no patches, dried with a hairdryer (took ages) and keep the car in a garage. Seems to more or less work. If I leave it outside (ie at a dealer) and it rains the moisture starts to reappear but a few weeks in a dry garage and it's gone.
Can the units be made properly waterproof ? - somehow I don't think so. Sealed plastic units like that will always be subject to fatigue and will eventually start to crack and let water in. It's just a bad design that AML 'managed'.
It's a very, very common problem, and has been for donkeys years, as you will find by searching on 'rear light condensation problem' on PH AM corner. Most on here are bored to death of the discussion. The rear lights are an utterly beautiful but utterly crap design and they leak. Period. (as our US cousins say)
Some split the units, dry and reseal. Works until they leak again.
Some drill a hole or two in the bottom of the unit and blow through compressed air until dry. Some try one way patches etc.
The problem is that water runs onto the top of the units from the rear door drain channels and pools on the top. Then, when night falls, temperatures drop, internal pressure goes negative and pooled water is drawn in through small cracks or the seal. It's just poor design and something we all live with.
I drilled mine, no patches, dried with a hairdryer (took ages) and keep the car in a garage. Seems to more or less work. If I leave it outside (ie at a dealer) and it rains the moisture starts to reappear but a few weeks in a dry garage and it's gone.
Can the units be made properly waterproof ? - somehow I don't think so. Sealed plastic units like that will always be subject to fatigue and will eventually start to crack and let water in. It's just a bad design that AML 'managed'.
Have brand new rear lights (not because of the moisture/condensation but because of some LEDs of the brake light failing....but had of course, like almost everyone, this condensation problem on the old ones).
The new ones are revision nr xxxx (high number!), so let's see how long these last without getting the same problem, or if they finally fixed this in Gaydon!
BTW, have the same problem on my front lights: use the famous drying bags and change them every 2 years or so, any better solution available for the front lights? (let's hope they don't need replacement.........that seems even more expensive than new rear lights!).
The new ones are revision nr xxxx (high number!), so let's see how long these last without getting the same problem, or if they finally fixed this in Gaydon!
BTW, have the same problem on my front lights: use the famous drying bags and change them every 2 years or so, any better solution available for the front lights? (let's hope they don't need replacement.........that seems even more expensive than new rear lights!).
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