Blast...

 

2017 vrs 245 is due to be retuned in 7 weeks as at end of lease and I noticed today that one of the headlights has got major condensation issue. So much so, its running down the inside of the front glass.

I know I can't just remove the bulb and just try to dry out as it will need the whole of the bumper removing.

On inspection, there seems to be a hairline crack in the unit at the top which is the black plastic. Glass is absolutely clear of any scratches / marks. I've never hit anything, no marks on the bumper or bonnet, and the crack is covered when the bonnet is down

 

Any ideas on the cheapest way to solve this as I am loathe to pay for a whole new unit.

Take to a garage and they remove bumper / bulb and dry out?

 

TIA

36 minutes ago, daleym said:

Blast...

 

2017 vrs 245 is due to be retuned in 7 weeks as at end of lease and I noticed today that one of the headlights has got major condensation issue. So much so, its running down the inside of the front glass.

I know I can't just remove the bulb and just try to dry out as it will need the whole of the bumper removing.

On inspection, there seems to be a hairline crack in the unit at the top which is the black plastic. Glass is absolutely clear of any scratches / marks. I've never hit anything, no marks on the bumper or bonnet, and the crack is covered when the bonnet is down

 

Any ideas on the cheapest way to solve this as I am loathe to pay for a whole new unit.

Take to a garage and they remove bumper / bulb and dry out?

 

TIA

 

Is a manufacturing defect (as you say no signs of damage) not covered by warranty?

If the condensation is in with a bulb, just leave the headlights on, the heat will redistribute the moisture (which is what is happening in the first place, the heating/cooling cycles has pulled moisture in through the crack).

Edited 19 September, 20196 yr by micro

Being cynical, I think they would say I caused the crack and hence not covered under warranty.

 

I'll try keeping the headlights on for a bit. I'm off on a long drive tomorrow so that should help

 

Thanks 😊

Is it along a manufacture line - i.e. where two different colours/types of plastic join (like where clear and black plastic joins?). Might be worth popping into a Skoda dealer and asking the question (or even if they'd notice, when handing the car back just make sure the headlights have  been on!)

A 245 has LED headlights in which case they don't get that warm - I had one of mine changed under warranty due to excessive condensation, the other one whilst not as bad does have some noticeable water staining inside it.  Personally I think they have a bit of a design flaw in the LED headlights.

Compressed air from an airline through the bulb access should work?

Play warm air from a hair dryer through the bulb access (if it exists) to dry it out. Keep it dry until you return the car.

Regardless, if there is no damage I would not expect a headlight unit to fail in 2 years - you're still covered under the Consumer Rights Act even on finance. I wouldn't worry too much about it, just ensure you have plenty of documentation (photos, etc) and if you do take it to Skoda keep their documentation too as to what it is / what they'll do about it.

 

Personally I don't think the finance company will give a toss but that's my opinion!

Thanks for suggestions 😊

Where is the bulb access as I think this is the VRS that needs the bumper removing to even change a bulb?

Edited 20 September, 20196 yr by john999boy
Images removed at OP's request.

That looks bad and it's more than a hairline crack. Looks more like impact damage. A new headlight to sort it properly. Sorry- I don't know more about your headlight  bulb access.

😢 Ahhhh.... how on earth has it cracked there via impact?? Normally that area is covered by the bonnet.

As well as the crack and lightly fragmented plastic within, It looks like the clear cover has been peeled away from the seal to the left of the crack a little. Deffo smells of low speed pressure impact by something big and blunt lower down on the clear cover rather than stone chips or similar. Chelsea tractor related parking incident...???

Don't suppose you've ever looked at it before? Have you had any work done where the headlights would have been removed?

 

I wonder if it could even be from assembly, if someone dropped it. (Not sure if headlight fitting would be automated or not, I guess not).

Trim and final fitting is manual for small stuff like headlights. if it was dropped, it would be either immediately replaced or if a sequenced part like colour coordinated parts, marked up for rework on the vehicle build history card or record and be sorted before the vehicle left the building. Car co's are seriously hot on even the smallest imperfection.

 

Condensation starts to buld up after the first encounter with heavy moisture, car washing or rain. if it wasn't noticed 2 years ago, its from a recent incident.

Edited 20 September, 20196 yr by BigEjit

If its a recent incident, i have no idea when it happened. The chances of something hitting it at just the right height to touch the glass and no other damage??? There is no other marks on any of the paintwork at all. Also the crack is wider at the back rather than the front. Does that mean anything? 

Spoke to a Skoda specialist, might go and have it dried out just before return inspection. Bit of a gamble as if it doesn't work, its possibly going to be £££.

Could something have been left lying on top when the bonnet was dropped, e.g. a spanner/socket?

5 minutes ago, pist0nbr0ke said:

Could something have been left lying on top when the bonnet was dropped, e.g. a spanner/socket?

 

Not by me! I haven't had any tools near it. No corresponding mark on bottom of bonnet. Just checked

I can tell you now that won't be covered by warranty - it looks like a stress crack.

 

You could probably use some clear sealant to seal the crack and see if you can dry it out so that it isn't too obvious that it has been damaged.

23 minutes ago, daleym said:

If its a recent incident, i have no idea when it happened. The chances of something hitting it at just the right height to touch the glass and no other damage??? There is no other marks on any of the paintwork at all. Also the crack is wider at the back rather than the front. Does that mean anything? 

Spoke to a Skoda specialist, might go and have it dried out just before return inspection. Bit of a gamble as if it doesn't work, its possibly going to be £££.

 

If you have discounted every other possibility, whatever is left no matter how implausible or rediculous, must be the reason for failure.

The crack wider at the back suggests its been flexed from the front causing it to burst at the back and not fully return, Flex a stick and where does that burst, the outside of the bend....

 

As above, dry it out and seal it some how.

It sure will be $$$ if you have to replace it, I had one of mine replaced under warranty and the service manager told me the bill would be AUD1950 (just over £1000 I think) if the warranty claim was rejected for any reason.