Avant - condensation in rear light clusters

Post by **bravoit** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:23 pm

I was told today by preston audi that to replace the removable rubber/foam seal that prevents water entering the rear cluster(seal is visible when changing rear light bulbs) I have to replace the rear clusters at a cost of £165. Having had the rear cluster out to dry out the light on a previous occasion and considering adding a touch of silicone to the seal, is this the only way to prevent the rear cluster misting once the seal is worn? Seems a little excessive? HD

Post by **sync24** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:04 pm

Oddly - my aftermarket LED taillights are showing slight signs of misting but *only* on the reversing light section - I may refit mine next time I have a spare day and may look at a more permanent solution to the seal. Are you saying the dealer said that you can't buy the sealing rubbers and need to replace the whole light cluster? Seems a bit excessive?

Post by **Dave_M** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:06 pm

I noticed at the weekend that there was a bit of condensation inside both rear light units on my avant - not enough to get worried about though!

Dave

Post by **rs4Mav** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 10:32 pm

My Avant lights mist up slightly on the reversing light section only as well, just used to leave them on for five mins whilst leathering the car off, used to stay clear for a couple of months.
Changing to dectane LED units next week, so hopefully they will be ok from then on.

Post by **sync24** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:10 pm

rs4Mav wrote:Changing to dectane LED units next week, so hopefully they will be ok from then on.

I've got LED aftermarket rear lights and was careful as I could be when fitting them - they still steam up - especially after a wash.
I'll be interested to see how you get on with them mate.

Post by **rs4Mav** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:45 pm

sync24 wrote:
rs4Mav wrote:Changing to dectane LED units next week, so hopefully they will be ok from then on.
I've got LED aftermarket rear lights and was careful as I could be when fitting them - they still steam up - especially after a wash.
I'll be interested to see how you get on with them mate.

I will keep you posted on how well they fit, and hopefully the lack of condensation

Post by **bravoit** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:22 pm

That's right the dealer told me I needed new lights. I believe a slight misting on the reversing light section is normal but my o/s light was getting droplets too. I originally took the light off and reversed the seal which worked for about a month. Anyway I've now tried placing a thin strip of the foam draft excluder in the recess where the seal goes first with the original seal on top. This has made a tighter seal and is my last option before trying a touch of silicone.

Post by **sar** » Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:37 pm

you can defiantly buy the foam seals for the saloon separate from the light itself, i cant see why the avant would be any different.
sounds like typical stealer waffle to me.

Post by **bravoit** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:52 pm

I've finally sorted the condensation problem without silicone. Found some 'P' profile draught excluder in the shed. Chopped it down to make it a 'D' profile, peeled the sticky back off and it fit perfectly into the lights recess(making sure the join was at the bottom of the light). It was a snugger fit than the original seal, which is probably a good thing, but still allows the light sections to push into the cluster easily. Over a week now and I've only had the slightest bit of condensation that clears quickly, and that's after a wash and the low temps we've had recently.

Post by **rs4Mav** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:15 pm

So approx 8 months after being fitted, my rear lights are condensation free and as clear as the day I fitted them.
They are as OEM looking as I could get, and fit pretty well considering they are after market.
Really pleased with them, especially the LED flashers

https://www.dectane.de/product_info.php ... anguage=en

Post by **R1RS4** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 7:22 pm

bravoit wrote:I've finally sorted the condensation problem without silicone. Found some 'P' profile draught excluder in the shed. Chopped it down to make it a 'D' profile, peeled the sticky back off and it fit perfectly into the lights recess(making sure the join was at the bottom of the light). It was a snugger fit than the original seal, which is probably a good thing, but still allows the light sections to push into the cluster easily. Over a week now and I've only had the slightest bit of condensation that clears quickly, and that's after a wash and the low temps we've had recently.

Well done, its great to hear doing some DIY repairs and not paying the stealers the robbing baskets!

My recent visit to the stealers for brake fluid replacement (service history), had two leaking rear nipples, leaked all over my nearside rear wheel. had to wash it all down and changed myself, about £6.50 per nipple....not bad getting your hands on a pair of nipples for £13.00

They said I had to have my nearside hand brake cable houseing replaced as it was not holding the cable, they said £407, did it myself about 35 mins

Next job front passenger door hinge issue, then front discs and pads...

Post by **pDkALO** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 7:39 pm

TADTS

None of the light clusters are actually fully sealed, as they have a small vent hole in the back to allow condensation to eventually clear. A bit of condensation is therefore normal even with a brand, new cluster especially after the wet and / or cold.

Post by **rs4Mav** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 10:56 pm

I did think that they must be vented in some way for changes in temperature, which is why i have left it for some time before posting on here how these lights performed.
I dried out the originals twice for week at a time to clear them in the airing cupboard, but the condensation kept reappearing in the reversing light section after a couple of months.
Happy with these though, makes the car look just a little bit different from the rest.

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