Splitting headlight

[lezmtaylor]

Nearside headlight has condensation inside, so time for a resplit and reseal.
For those who do not know pre June 2002 headlights are joined together with a heat sensitive glue , which means with a bit of judicious heat the lens can be removed from the body.
I have split both my headlights and painted the black plastic inside silver (same as car), also fitted led angel eye rings.
There is a date ring which is located at the rear of the shell ,see photo, if you want to convert there are how to's on this site and the American site.
If I buy from ebay I ask seller to check the date ring (enclose photo to id it) and go for 2001 or earlier to be on safe side and make sure if you have xenon ,get xenon and halogen ditto.
This is one of the better upgrades, will try to upload photo.[img]http://i65.tinypic.com/2na70b7.jpg[img] ... np5ppc.jpg[/img]

[lezmtaylor]

This is the photo of position of date on rear of headlight body.


Lez

[X5Sport]

Is condensation a real issue then?  I noticed that every car I have had since 1998 with plastic lenses gets condensation but it clears as soon as the lights start being used again,

[lezmtaylor]

well o/s headlight never gets condensation, but nearside one does get condensation.
Done reseal on n/s light, will have to see.

Lez

[henrym3]

Right Lez, where did you get that under tray. What car is it off. Someone told me some time ago that the headlights have a breather tube, which should prevent condensation as long as it doesn’t get blocked up. Did you use a heat gun and did you have to get it worryingly hot.

[lezmtaylor]

Henry, afraid the front undertray is an American only item (about 6 years ago we had an American service man stationed over here as a member, he kindly offered to get items from the States for us and we did not have to pay import duties, so I availed myself of his kind offer. He has since been posted onwards.)
The breather pipe is located by the indicator bulb at the back of the unit and is is in position and clear.
Yes I used a heat gun, just be careful, although on u tube there are are posts re cooking the headlight in the oven at low temp, also on the American site.  Outpost.com.

Lez