Fog in headlights: B6 avant

[mountainsnbirds]

Anyone else have trouble with condensation building up inside the the headlights. Any suggestions or quick fixes?
Thanks


Thanks Guys. I still need to do the operation. I bought some lithium grease. Im going to try sealing the o-ring.

[B6JoeS4]

I think we all have had this problem. You need to go get Some RTV sealant and seal around the headlights where the clear lens meets the black housing. Also, check the sealer rings on your bulb access covers.

[ClarkSJ]

A few tips here:

http://forums.audiworld.com/s4b6/msgs/448808.phtml

[Fade2Black]

I justed picked up my new to me S4 and the dealer told me this is a common thing and that is normal.

They are finding a fix for me.

[RAudi Driver]

Don't seal around the lights. That's not where the problem is coming from. It's the o ring.

[sakimano]

foggy lights are standard equipment on the B6

A friend of mine has a B6 S4, and it drives him effing crazy, but I don't think it's a really big deal personally. Who gives a shit?

what's the cure? wtf is an o-ring?

[Fade2Black]

I think it looks cheap IMO but most won't even notice.

[sakimano]

ahhh..the deciding blow. B7 ftw! eat that fishburrito ;)

[s4for5]

I did the lithium grease all over the o-ring area mod and no more fogging.

[whartung]

foggy lights are standard equipment on the B6

A friend of mine has a B6 S4, and it drives him effing crazy, but I don't think it's a really big deal personally. Who gives a shit?

what's the cure? wtf is an o-ring?

O ring is a circular piece of rubber used to seal pressurized or airtight connections in valves, regulators, or in this case, headlights. The O ring sits in between the removable bulb and the headlight, sealing the inside of the headlight from the outside, but since its just rubber, O rings break down regularly. For example, it was a worn O ring that made the Space Shuttle Challenger crash, I believe...

[[email protected]]

Do a search for "umbrella mod"

[XwalkerX]

Do a search for "umbrella mod"

the umbrella mod is a terrible waste of time cause it just covers the top of the adjuster screw but mostiure is still able to enter the housing. the real problem lies with the o-ring on the adjuster screw. when i first bought my b6 i had the same issue but over teh summer i took the lights out used a hair dryer to completely get all the moisture out of the lights then put some new o-rings in that i got from home depot. (i forget the correct size but do a search on audiworld and you can find the thread)

all said and done i spent less than $5.00 and took about an hour or so and i havent had any fog/mostiure issue in about 6 months.

[ClarkSJ]

the umbrella mod is a terrible waste of time cause it just covers the top of the adjuster screw but mostiure is still able to enter the housing. the real problem lies with the o-ring on the adjuster screw. when i first bought my b6 i had the same issue but over teh summer i took the lights out used a hair dryer to completely get all the moisture out of the lights then put some new o-rings in that i got from home depot. (i forget the correct size but do a search on audiworld and you can find the thread)

all said and done i spent less than $5.00 and took about an hour or so and i havent had any fog/mostiure issue in about 6 months.

I recently did the same fix. O-ring is a Number 6 (5/16 ID, 7/16 OD). Had so much water in the housing I could pour it out the vents. Yes, a small amount of fogging is normal, but I had drops of water covering the entire inside of each lens whenever it rained (but not anymore). Also had to dry out the housing. Pulled the lights and removed the HID capsule, then did 3-4 cycles of blowing the lights out with compressed air and heating them in a 170 F oven for 10-15 minutes. Not a bit of fogging since I did this.

[littleredwagen]

I recently did the same fix. O-ring is a Number 6 (5/16 ID, 7/16 OD). Had so much water in the housing I could pour it out the vents. Yes, a small amount of fogging is normal, but I had drops of water covering the entire inside of each lens whenever it rained (but not anymore). Also had to dry out the housing. Pulled the lights and removed the HID capsule, then did 3-4 cycles of blowing the lights out with compressed air and heating them in a 170 F oven for 10-15 minutes. Not a bit of fogging since I did this.

i have done this repair to few b6s no more fogging

[Fade2Black]

Glad I found this thread.

[Bpitz15]

just got mine fixed at the dealership. all they did was silicone around the adjustment screws and its alllll gone.

[Rodknock]

My dealer just replaced my headlights and I dont have the problem anymore.. If its still under warranty take it in. Your dealer should replace the lights at least 1 time unless its already been done..

[[email protected]]

the umbrella mod is a terrible waste of time cause it just covers the top of the adjuster screw but mostiure is still able to enter the housing. the real problem lies with the o-ring on the adjuster screw. when i first bought my b6 i had the same issue but over teh summer i took the lights out used a hair dryer to completely get all the moisture out of the lights then put some new o-rings in that i got from home depot. (i forget the correct size but do a search on audiworld and you can find the thread)

all said and done i spent less than $5.00 and took about an hour or so and i havent had any fog/mostiure issue in about 6 months.

Terrible waste of time? Covers the adjuster screw but still allows moisture to enter the housing?

Really? Did you even try it before you said it is a waste of time? The whole point is to cover the adjuster screw so water doesn't seep past the ring.

I have made this for over a dozen people and NONE of them fog up. People have made this mod which costs nothing, taken their car to a car wash and their fogging issues went away.

The original set I installed on my bixenons over a year ago stopped the housings from fogging up.

Yes... I know the O ring replacement is the proper fix. But for a free, non intrusive fix the mod I suggested works fine.

[earhythmic]

is it really the oring/seal? these headlights have "drains" on the back of them, so even if you seal it up around the headlights, isn't moisture still gonna get in due to the openness of the headlight? It usually just happens to me after I was the car, prolly cause of temperature differences? I dunno.

[[email protected]]

Due to the design the rain water that runs down the side channel drops directly over the top of the adjustment point.

The O-ring is a bit too small and allows for water to seep past and form a small pool inside the housing. When you activate the headlights the heat that is generated in the housing vapourizes the water and it condenses on the inside of the front lens.

The vent openings on the back of the headlight are not the cause of your moisture issues.

[szinkuti]

you just have to complain enough times.....they said they wouldnt replace mine the
first time....so after the 3rd time i got new headlights....and the new ones dont fog...ever...and i work at the dealer as a tech.....but there is a tsb and it says after like 15 of headlight use the condensation should clear up depending on humidity and blah blah blah....screw that...car is too damn nice to be rolling around with headlights full of water....

[tomazo777]

hi all:
I just got a 05 S4. I love that car.
Can someone tell me in detail what to do with the confensation inside me headlight?
How to get rid of it and what to do so it does not come back.

thanks