Headlight Condensation

[a98pmalcolm]

Hi all and happy new year.

I know its a common thing Aston Martin with headlight condensation but is there anything that can be done to help or reduce it?
I have a 2007 DB9

Thanks

[bogie]

Some people have had success with inserting a small bags of dessicant in the back of the headlight enclosure

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1G-10G-PACKETS-SILICA-G...

[Dobie177]

There is another fix I read about recently - you’ll should be able to find it if you search. I think it involved drilling a small hole into the light fitting and redirecting a small hose from somewhere that delivers warm air (or something like that!?!)

[a98pmalcolm]

Thanks for the replies guys, I think I will give the bags of dessicant a go 1st.

Do you mean in here behind the rubber covers?

[bogie]

I would guess so, thats slightly different to the Vantage lights ive seen done (and considering doing myself) .

[bignoise]

Hi

I think I have a fix for this issue

Thinking back to my old E36 which were notorious for condensation which was cured by removing the back cover

Now with the position of headlights on our cars being lower etc what I did was provide some ventilation by drilling 2 8mm holes in the flat rectangular area of each headlights access cover and then stick some Goretex over the holes

So basically remove wheel arch liner access

Remove headlight bulb access panel

Drill holes

Stick on goretex patch

Reassemble

The Goretex basically allows ventilation but keeps moisture out £6.43 from Amazon


I did my vantage a couple of weeks ago and have had clear lights ever since

Edited by bignoise on Wednesday 6th March 18:33

[bogie]

Great idea ! ...I might give that a try if they are persistently misted up. To be honest I havnt noticed it much lately.....

[cressell]

Good thinking, the ones on my db9 get misty as well.

[8Speed]

bignoise said:

Hi

I think I have a fix for this issue

Thinking back to my old E36 which were notorious for condensation which was cured by removing the back cover

Now with the position of headlights on our cars being lower etc what I did was provide some ventilation by drilling 2 8mm holes in the flat rectangular area of each headlights access cover and then stick some Goretex over the holes

So basically remove wheel arch liner access

Remove headlight bulb access panel

Drill holes

Stick on goretex patch

Reassemble

The Goretex basically allows ventilation but keeps moisture out £6.43 from Amazon


I did my vantage a couple of weeks ago and have had clear lights ever since

Edited by bignoise on Wednesday 6th March 18:33

Would this work for the rear lights I wonder?

[ruhall]

That Goretex idea (BBC question - are other products available ?) sounds like a good idea, something to remember as many cars now seem to suffer from this problem.

[Dave Aston]

Hi everyone, I found this on the AMOC site concerning V8 Vantage headlights:

I have just read this topic, I have two Vantages, both suffer from the dreaded condensation. Last November, one of them had an MOT, stupidly I left the car out overnight, it was a cold and wet day, by the time I got to the garage the headlights were half covered in condensation. I arrived half an hour early so by the time the car was looked at, the whole headlight screen was covered, the car failed the MOT.
The good news was my wife bought me a fab Christmas present (Two actually), a headlight venting kit specifically for the V8 Vantage, it took about an hour to fit, very neat installation, no drilling or alterations required, the system is automatic via a temperature sensor, the result is no more condensation, best present I have ever had. The email address for the venting system - [e-mail]


Interesting stuff so I bought one and it works very well, easy to fit too, hope it helps others.

[johnnyBv8]

I've seen these headlight breather vents advertised - they need a 12mm hole, and then just screw in. I wondered if fitting one of these to the back covers of the headlights.

Thoughts on whether this might work? My car previously had the gel packs fitted by AM, but I don't think they're a long term fix!

[Manx V8V]

I solved this issue on a previous car (Chrysler Crossfire) which was renowned for misting headlights, by fitting these, in the case of the Crossfire there is an existing stub with some sort of gauze cap which didnt work, I pulled the originals off and pushed these on in place.

On the Vantage though i'm not sure if there is an existing outlet on the headlamp casing.

[vantagev8v]

I also tried every thing, literally. The Aston light is long and traps the hot air, it has many leaks so moist air gets in, thus heats up, rises to cold lense and condensates, no air flow to remove.
I am in the AMOC and saw the details as Dave Aston above has added so I also bought a Venting Kit from AM Upgrades, all I can say is brilliant, quick to fit, quality fittings and wiring loom, this is a picture of the kit.

|https://thumbsnap.com/dFkW0Ybi[/url]

Contact them at [e-mail]

[TR-Spider]

interesting solution.
Do they use 2 small axial blowers to force ventillate the housing (1blows in & 1 sucks out)?
How are the blowers switched?

[malcolmbinns]

Is that solution relevant/applicable for a DB9?

[David Ramsbotham]

The headlamp venting system looks like a great bit of kit. Can anyone tell me how much it is to buy? TIA.

[TR-Spider]

I just got a reply from AMUpgrades:
The RRP is £338.00 plus £25.00 for postage to Europe.
Seems reasonable for the complete kit as displayed above including the new vented rear covers.

Edited by TR-Spider on Friday 26th April 14:28

[David Ramsbotham]

Thanks TR-spider. Kit is definitely on my wants list for the year ahead.

[Liilpa09]

Looks like a nice setup! Sent them an email and unfortunately no DBS/DB9 option at this time