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Yea thats heavy moisture. I have only seen the HL crack like this. First one i have seen with heavy moisture. We have some of the early designs from valeo on super sale, otherwise you have to dry them out and make sure the little vent hose on the back of the headlight is open
Still some moisture on the bottom lip of both headlights in the same location - could be related to with the wet / humid conditions and cool nights experienced here in the UK at the minute?
@ECSTuning I had a look for the ventilation tube you spoke of but couldn't find it (checked the headlight from the engine bay, all I could see was the plastic housing ad meta structure on the back?)
I have the valeo aftermarket one in hand and looks like their was a place for a rubber tube weep hole but its capped off. All the older MINIs stock lights have these.
But the plug on the back top that slots in exposes the inside. So air can go inside and out right below the plug. I guess thats why no weep hole and hose.
Look at yours and it should have that. I would just take the lights off the car with three bolts and take them inside a house and turn them to let the moisture out and dry overnight.
I have the valeo aftermarket one in hand and looks like their was a place for a rubber tube weep hole but its capped off. All the older MINIs stock lights have these.
But the plug on the back top that slots in exposes the inside. So air can go inside and out right below the plug. I guess thats why no weep hole and hose.
Look at yours and it should have that. I would just take the lights off the car with three bolts and take them inside a house and turn them to let the moisture out and dry overnight.
Thanks for the comparison with one of your headlights. Regarding the dust caps for these A are they located being the wheel arch panel or in the engine bay? Might replace for a new OE cap with fresh gasket to see if this helps. (Is there even a bulb replacement cap on the LED units?)
I have zero desire to remove the headlights but will investigate the breather vent see if it has any obvious issues.
My other option is this at it has a warranty until December which I hope to extend (approved used Mini) - and I think headlights are covered - though the manual does state that a certain condensation level is to be expected.
Another option is to buy some LCI headlights and retrofit?
Originally Posted by Oplix
my 2016 has zero moisture inside the headlights
Strange it’s seemingly common to some and yet not others (environmental conditions?).
Some searching the past few days brings up a lot of forum evidence that it’s not just related mainly to Minis either. BMWs (F and G generation) seem badly affected amongst others to a lesser extent: Porsche, VAG, Mercedes etc.
With these large temperature swings, 90%+ humidity and overcast conditions- the headlights that fully dried yesterday are back to being condensated / water droplets rolling down them.
When I extend the warranty - my question is - what are the chances BMW Mini still have new old stock of the pre LCI headlights if by some miracle warranty accepts and covers the issue? Googling this I can only find aftermarket versions. @ECS Tuning ?
They should find something that works. You are in Europe? So i dont know whats the newest parts for over there. In the past they just supersede the part to the newest part number/
If they dont, I would dry them out and get the new lenses. That way you can take them apart and replace the lens, wipe them out. That way it will not spider as you have a new lens.
