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Ross
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
09:11:27
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 Subject: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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Alright, this is about as frustrating as it goes!
I replaced my headlamp housings after an accident with aftermarket OE lenses, and their filling up with water (a 1/2 - 3/14 of an inch of water in the bottom) so i took them out, emptied and fill them FULL of water to see where they were leaking... i have no leaks whatsoever, except on the top of the lens where theres a rubber evaporation hose. Im trying to figure out how, THAT much water gets in there through a tiny little grommet surrounding this hose under normal driving conditions (more in rain/snow) and then i hit a bump, the water hits my lamp and there ya go. BOOM.
To crown it all off, i cant keep a headlamp bulb for give or take more than a week or so... this sucks ***!
_____________________________________________
92' Kota LE V6 w/ K&N @ Aftermarket Holley T/B
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boguspete
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
10:16:30
|  RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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Message:
they're drawing moisture - a suggestion for ya is get a small drill bit and drill 2 holes in the underside of the glass housing. use a small bit som you can't see the hole(s) - this will help them to drain/vent. You could also try to use a silicone around the glass where it seats to try to seal it a little better - The 2 holes will help some.
I suggested 2 because when u just drill one, it seems to drip real slow, like a 2 litre bottle when full as compared to when the air can get behind it and push it out.
Good luck
Chris
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Ross
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
10:29:41
| RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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Message:
Ive heard if you do that, you risk mold and mildew inside the lenses later on down the road... im getting big time moisture, yet ive filled them up looking for leaks, and with a busted light in there and the cap on, theres only 2 spots where it leaks, one on top - the air vent and on bottom - the drain vent that it has a rubber tube coming out...
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Red03Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
10:35:27
| RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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Message:
try talking to the dealership and tell them about the headlights see if they will give you a new pair cause that is not something you did that is in there making of the light bro.
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Ross
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
10:39:46
|  RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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These are not OEM lamps, these are brand new aftermarket lenses on a 92'... i think the dealer will laugh, and after picking themselves up off the floor, theyd quote me a price on new OE M ones...
these should be high quality, their made by eaglite who makes a broad range of lamps and such... who knows...
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Red03Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
11:29:18
| RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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Message:
sorry i missed the aftermarket word bro.
call the popel you got them from and tell them and ask about a new pair. any normal company should give you a new pair due to a defective product
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Ross
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
16:27:53
| RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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Message:
Would drilling 2 small holes in the bottom solve it and not cause mold and mildew like once said?> these have an existing drain and vent hole, but with the rubber grommet on the bottom, it doesnt do much good... so i would think that it would hurt anything???
i just want to solve this so i can put in my good ultra whites again instead of these dim stupid stockers...
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Ross
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
16:40:12
| RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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If i did drill 2 holes where should i drill them, rather where would the lowest spot be in the lens?
it seems like more water collects right in the front, but i cant tell.
Normally i can solve simple problems like this but once i get frustrated... i simply am not as able as normal...
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uh
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
17:11:56
| RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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Message:
with all the heat them bulbs put out I doubt very much that mold or mildew will have a chance to get started, I have done the small hole in the bottom trick on several cars/trucks and none yet have said problem. Most likely some "know it all" "know nothing" told you this. shoot guy, the things are blowing out lights, a heck of a lot more dangerous then having the "possibility" of of something, eh?
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Ross
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
19:27:43
| RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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Message:
I understand, then again, i know how water can be, and it collecting is a bad thing, but when it doesnt go away thats bad too (ie. mold mildew and whatnot) and it fogs the interior of the lenses and doesnt go away and they have to be replaced anyway.
im looking for a permanant solution thats going to keep water from gettin in there in the first place. Headlights are sealed in the first place to begin with if they dont leak correct? i guess if i cant, ill do the hole trick, but i want to position the holes so there in the lowest spot in the light... is there a quick way to figure this out>
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TuckerLudlow
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
21:54:08
| RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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Message:
I've had this problem on Dodges as well as a Chevy VentureVan- for the most part (except on the Chevy), it's condensation. The solution was to grab the handy-dandy drill, a 1/32" bit, and drill a hole in each of the lower corners. I've used a 1/64" bit, too, but the 1/32 seems to work best, plus the 1/64 breaks awful easy. Angle them slightly up so that you hit right above the floor (just a hair!) of the housing for better drainage. Obviously, one has to exercise care not to drill into the housing/reflective stuff, and don't try to drill too fast or you'll break your bit.
That cured the problem on the Dodges (2 caravans, a truck and an Intrepid).
The Chevy was OK for a three or four years after I put in the holes, but I had to replace both headlight assemblies this past weekend. Since I bought the Dak, we do most of our going in it, and the Chevy sits home. The wife told me several times that my headlights were a helluva brighter than hers. I'd looked on eBay for replacement assemblies, but by the time I paid freight, it was just as cheap to go get them from the dealer, so I finally caved in and told her to go buy some. She did that last week while I was working up in NJ.
Got home, got up Saturday morning and started taking the old ones out. The sealer was dried and busted out all over, water had been going in from the top like a river, and the reflective stuff had gotten pitted and had that "burnt" look. If the holes hadn't been there, I would have been replacing headlight bulbs right and left. $72 apiece for the assemblies, plus $10 to get them re-aimed. One of the lenses actually fell off when I was taking the assemblies out! The sealer is the only thing holding them on.
When these start showing signs of collecting a little water, I'll drill the holes in them, too.
The ol' lady is happy now - I think they call that "Peace in the family".
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dodgedakota
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
22:30:37
|  RE: Headlamps Exploding, Water inside lenses
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Message:
put some duck tape on it and some jb weld too
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