DukeofEarl75

Thanks @AnnoyingPentium that's really kind. I have picked up a used o/s one today as a backup and I'll see how I get on my current one now those led sidelights have been changed, and my local breaker also has a MK1 with lights at the moment so I should be ok thanks.

Well I have removed the sidelights and they were indeed led units, Phillips Ultinon labelled. Replaced them with standard halogen units and the major issues have been resolved. I wet sanded & polished the worst headlight earlier but it looks like the dots are inside the lens as nothing changed. Here is an after picture with the standard bulbs in. I am happy with the light output and the beam pattern, but what do you folks think? Thank you all for your amazing help too.

@vindaloo Wow, I think you are correct the sidelight is the one producing the light arcs, and it looks different to a standard t10 w5w bulbs. I was so focused on the h7 dipped beam bulb I neglected to look any further at the sidelight bulb When it stops raining I'll have a gander, could be an led as you say, it protudes far further than perhaps it should. I'll update later or tomorrow. Thanks very much

I'll give it a go @J.R.

As far as I know yes they are original. Also they have halogen bulbs in them.

As far as I know yes they are original.

Hi folks I have been flashed a couple of times this evening which is weird. I have noticed that when the lights are on I have a strange dot / honeycomb pattern on the lens (presumably inside as they are smooth on the outside). Also when I pulled up to a flat garage I could see light flares / crosses (bad light pattern) When I bought the car there was evidence of black dotted laminate on the headlights and that left glue spots on the exterior of the lens which I removed along with the oxidisation. Could the external stickers have affected the inside of the lenses due to heat spots or has anyone had a similar experience with their lights please? I have added some photos Many thanks.

Thank you @sakta I have just tried sticky stuff remover and a plastic blade but couldn't get it off. I will try tomorrow with the bonnet open and try to peel it off from the top of the light. Appreciate the help.

Thank you both. Ah yes. Looks like it. Is it possible that the honeycomb feel on the lens is the remains of the styling film, and would it be removable (blade/solvent)? My light output is quite dull/yellow and I would like to feel safer driving at night. Much appreciated

Morning everybody. I'm feeling silly asking, but I would like to know if I have some sort of extra lens over my headlights or are these standard on the MK1 vrs? There is evidence of some carbon fibre stickers on the top left of one light. The surface is like a honeycomb textured and in the corner I think I can see another lens? The lens is very opaque and the light is yellow ish. I can see steam inside/behind the lens. Please forgive my question, I have taken off the 2 metallic clips at the top and tried to gently prise the top of the lens but I was very gentle due to fear!

Hi xman The cubes were all on the mesh of the strainer, not inside so hopefully it did it's job. Thanks all for you kind and knowledgeable advice

Good afternoon all. My car is a 04 VRS diesel. I noticed an oil leak on my drive and on investigation found the leak coming from the sump plug. Found that the plug would not sit flush against the sump casting as it has been helicoiled and the washer seated flat on one side of the bolt but not on another. I had the great idea of changing the plug to see if a fresh washer could help, unfortunately due to being tightened up by an ape when I unscrewed the plug most of the helicoil insert came out of the hole on the sump plug. I could see that the hole for the plug had been redrillled of set making it impossible to seat the sump plug properly. To rectify this I decided to change the sump completely. I removed the sump and there was Lots of the coils of the helicoil in the sump, and in the oil strainer there was even more and also some metal fragments that look like alloy casting parts from the sump up to 3-4mm cubes and I'm hoping they are not from the turbo or something else? I have decided to replace the oil strainer as it's cheap and it's been well tested! Here is where I need some advice please. I am concerned that the metal pieces I found in the sump could also be in other parts of the engine and when I change the strainer it will be blocked again really quickly. Once I have refitted the strainer and sump I am thinking of changing the oil filter then flushing the engine with either diesel or just fresh oil then changing the oil again before I use the car on the road again. Does this seem the logical thing to do or am I missing something obvious? Do I change the filter before flushing it or after? I am not a mechanic but I have always done basic maintenance on my cars so would like some input from people with greater knowledge please. Long story of woe over. Thanks for reading.