Condensation in tail lights or headlights?

j.arnaldo · 10-21-2009, 02:29 PM

...you're scaring me, dudes...I own an '04.5 350Z, and, so far, none of that has occurred, but you got me thinking here; it seems to be happening to quite a few 370s. Has anyone heard of it happening to 350s?!

Asheth · 10-21-2009, 03:05 PM

I have it too on mine its not so bad. But I will give it a few more days before getting it checked out. I just noticed it yesterday.

nogoodname · 10-21-2009, 03:07 PM

never seen it on my G37 and weather goes from +40 degrees C to -40 degree C in southern Quebec

simota1 · 10-21-2009, 11:11 PM

happened to my tailights.... i just used silicon and sealed it all the way around... i didnt warranty it cuz... of issues with my dealermodifying my car...... but its fixed now... and it rains crazy here... no moisture ever since...

fairladyZ34 · 10-21-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo

...you're scaring me, dudes...I own an '04.5 350Z, and, so far, none of that has occurred, but you got me thinking here; it seems to be happening to quite a few 370s. Has anyone heard of it happening to 350s?!

it happened to my friends 350 but only cuz when he put his hood back on he didnt line it up exactly right and when he would shut the hood it caused the seal the break on the headligt. since he didnt fix it right away he now has a projector bulb out in his drivers headlight lol. then he blacked out the headlights so he has to drive with his high beams at night

MeetJoeAsian · 10-22-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

Not necessarily..These light are not really "sealed" despite the fact that they're glued together, there are lots of ways air gets in. Change in atmosphere, humidity etc. especially at this time of year where there are big temp swings from day to night, will easily cause condensation inside the lens depending on where you park at night..It'll disappear after the temps equalize..

I would seriously doubt Nissan would allow these to be replaced under warranty...

Ummm...if there is no moisture, there is no condensation...the reason why you seal something is to totally keep moisture away from it...they don't seal to just glue...think about this, when you have moisture on glass, plastic, mirror, etc, soon after they tend to leave water residue...well, I don't think a manufacturer wants water residue on the INSIDE of covers...cuz in the long run, it may diminish the amount of light through them, and that's another "floormat" recall/lawsuit...

Modshack · 10-22-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeetJoeAsian

Ummm...if there is no moisture, there is no condensation...the reason why you seal something is to totally keep moisture away from it...they don't seal to just glue...think about this, when you have moisture on glass, plastic, mirror, etc, soon after they tend to leave water residue...well, I don't think a manufacturer wants water residue on the INSIDE of covers...cuz in the long run, it may diminish the amount of light through them, and that's another "floormat" recall/lawsuit...

Well......You can't really hermetically seal the lights. Zenons make a lot of heat. There needs to be some leakage to accommodate expansion and contraction from this heat......There are expansion vents on the light. 3 on each tail and I'm sure the headlights have the same since there is more potential heat there. There's always some in and ex-filtration...

370Zsteve · 10-22-2009, 01:11 PM

I just noticed your sig, is that a cop in the rearview - nice

Modshack · 10-22-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

I just noticed your sig, is that a cop in the rearview - nice

LOL...No! I actually took the pic from my buddy's Stasis Audi A3 while he did a flyby in my car, and that's a TT in the mirror. We were at a little Audi get-together out at the Tail of the Dragon....Good fun!

Here's a good "cop in the mirror" shot from the year before when I still had the Corvette......

theDreamer · 10-22-2009, 01:32 PM

I thought because of the Xenon they were not 100% sealed because with the amount of heat created they needed to "breath."

Modshack · 10-22-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

I thought because of the Xenon they were not 100% sealed because with the amount of heat created they needed to "breath."

Yes...Those expansion vents have a permeable film at the top which allows them to breath. You can blow through them (with some effort)..

Steven · 10-23-2009, 11:49 PM

The xenons are headlamps only.

The condensation problem with the 370Z is occurring in the Taillights only. So no xenons, only LED's.

Modshack · 10-24-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven

The xenons are headlamps only.

The condensation problem with the 370Z is occurring in the Taillights only. So no xenons, only LED's.

We know just the heads are xenon and both the head and tail have the potential to condensate since they are both ventilated. People have reported it in both. The point is They are not sealed. It is perfectly normal.

See "Dew Point info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dew_point

LattimerII · 11-02-2009, 06:03 PM

So, sounds like we've established that they aren't 100% airtight.

Anyone have a way to dry them out?

Mine have it too.

kenchan · 11-03-2009, 02:33 PM

just leave it out in the sun.

my G's tailamps are the same from day one. some water gets inside after washing them but it dries up in time.

10-21-2009, 03:05 PM	#17 (permalink)
Asheth Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Glen Burnie, Maryland Posts: 917 Drives: 09 Blk 6mt Rep Power: 18	I have it too on mine its not so bad. But I will give it a few more days before getting it checked out. I just noticed it yesterday. __________________ 180 customs Headlights - Yantech Backup Camera - Projekt 1 - Stillen Gen 3- EVO-R V2 Foglight, EVO-R CF Diffuser, Carbon Fiber Element Steering wheel - Fast Intentions TDX/RHFC's - RJM A.F.P. - Z1 Oil Cooler - 2015 Nismo Conversion.

10-21-2009, 11:11 PM	#19 (permalink)
simota1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dededo, Guam Posts: 6,642 Drives: solid red 370z 6mt Rep Power: 405	happened to my tailights.... i just used silicon and sealed it all the way around... i didnt warranty it cuz... of issues with my dealermodifying my car...... but its fixed now... and it rains crazy here... no moisture ever since... __________________ *TOP SECRET/POWERHOUSE AMUSE/ARC/DAYTONA RACING/VARIS/MINES/GANADOR/J-LINE/WORK EMOTION CR KAI/GT SPEC/CARBON SIGNAL/ZOOM ENGINEERING/ CARBON FIBER ELEMENT/STILLEN/*

10-22-2009, 01:11 PM	#23 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	I just noticed your sig, is that a cop in the rearview - nice __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

10-22-2009, 01:32 PM	#25 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	I thought because of the Xenon they were not 100% sealed because with the amount of heat created they needed to "breath." __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

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10-21-2009, 02:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	...you're scaring me, dudes...I own an '04.5 350Z, and, so far, none of that has occurred, but you got me thinking here; it seems to be happening to quite a few 370s. Has anyone heard of it happening to 350s?!

10-21-2009, 03:07 PM	#18 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	never seen it on my G37 and weather goes from +40 degrees C to -40 degree C in southern Quebec

10-23-2009, 11:49 PM	#27 (permalink)
Steven Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Clear Lake, TX Posts: 130 Drives: 09 370Z M6 Rep Power: 16	The xenons are headlamps only. The condensation problem with the 370Z is occurring in the Taillights only. So no xenons, only LED's.

11-02-2009, 06:03 PM	#29 (permalink)
LattimerII Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: US Posts: 52 Drives: 09 PG 370Z Sport Pkg Rep Power: 16	So, sounds like we've established that they aren't 100% airtight. Anyone have a way to dry them out? Mine have it too.

11-03-2009, 02:33 PM	#30 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	just leave it out in the sun. my G's tailamps are the same from day one. some water gets inside after washing them but it dries up in time.