Help on cleaning inside of headlight assembly

sydneyrace · Postby **sydneyrace** » Sun May 26, 2013 7:54 am

I noticed that there is a hazy film on the inside of the headlight assembly. It is much worse on the left hand side where the lights are considerably dimmer than the right side.

I have cleaned the outside and can confirm that the hazy film is definitely on the inside. I have done quite a bit of searching and it appears that you have to take off the bumper, remove the headlight assembly, bake it, then disassemble.

Can anyone confirm that this is the only way to remove the assembly? Anyone have a better cost effective solution? The headlights seem to be quite bad at night and has become enough of a concern.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sun May 26, 2013 1:04 pm

Some recent discussion here: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=57027

sydneyrace · Postby **sydneyrace** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 11:49 am

Thanks, that confirms what I have been researching. Now, for the hard bit. I can't use my right hand much due to my recent motorbike accident. Any on the forum who has done this before and would like to help? Happy to pay you for your time. I am happy to travel to your place anywhere in Sydney.

The haze really affects the headlights and vision at night and has become very annoying, not to mention probably dangerous.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 3:33 pm

don't think of taking the lenses out - that would be my recommendation. Removing the lense may make it worse as it breaks the glue track and I can see no point in heating the lamp- a bulb already generates heat. . If the light is dull it might not even be the hazy film- it may be something else like an old bulb ( they do lose light output) or there might be a loss of voltage due to poor contacts etc. I very clearly remember seeing large driving lamps ( glass lenses) with substantial haziness which were washed out - I just cannot remember what with- it might have been meths. The lense on the NA NB is polycarbonate. The lamp might also have a blocked breather or the glue track has deteriorated. Sounds like it might have to be removed to get a good look. Not sure on the removal process.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 4:06 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:I very clearly remember seeing large driving lamps (glass lenses) with substantial haziness which were washed out - I just cannot remember what with- it might have been meths.

A weak ammonia solution like Windex might also do it. But leave it in contact for too long & thoroughly flush clean with water.

sydneyrace · Postby **sydneyrace** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:12 pm

It is definitely on the inside. It is a oily haze film which by bad luck, only covers the front of the driving lights. It is not on the turn signal nor high beam.

I tried a heat gun on it but it is not condensation and does not go away. The outside is fine and the bulb output is fine. I polished the outside just in case.

By the way, it is an NC1.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sun Jun 02, 2013 11:09 am

Ah NC1 - reasonably common on the NB, but hadn't heard of this happening on the NC. May be one of the NC owners will have a suggestion.

sydneyrace · Postby **sydneyrace** » Sat Jun 08, 2013 9:33 am

I received a tip to use a vacuum cleaner to see if it can suck whatever is inside. I tried it and now don't think it is on the inside or the outside.

Could it be the actual headlight itself? I have aftermarket xenons but it is not their brightness. It looks like some haze being projected. Unfortunately, with a buggered hand, it was nearly impossible to remove the high beams to put the vacuum cleaner in. Can anyone help me pull out the main headlight bulbs for a quick clean? I suspect I might have to vacuum in the hole as well once the bulb is out.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Jun 08, 2013 12:28 pm

This Mazda Technical Service Bulletin, 'CONDENSATION / FOG IN FRONT AND REAR COMBINATION LIGHTS', might contain some more info on this issue: http://www.miata.net/garage/tsb/09-016-09-2086a.pdf

chrismacca · Postby **chrismacca** » Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:51 pm

I had a similar problem on my recently purchased NB. My research led me to a polish I got off eBay for about $10 (and from the US) and it worked a treat. I too thought the problem was on the inside but it is apparently UV affecting the outside of the headlight and fading it. Worth a try...check out YouTube for some home remedies too, for a laugh!

Good luck

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:46 pm

The headlamp lenses is polycarbonate and its hard coated. Some lenses after exposure to adverse conditions start to break down eg hard coat and once the HC is gone then its hard to revive the lens and it will become brittle. I am not sure whether the light source has also been a factor ie aftermarket xenon light. At one stage QH bulbs were changed to UV cut - old style QH bulbs could damage PC lenses but they did not damage glass lenses. So for anyone with old / new stock of QH bulbs which are not UV cut do not fit them to headlamps with plastic lenses.

If you want to polish and re treat the lens buy a quality product- Philips were doing one and apparently its pretty good.

sydneyrace · Postby **sydneyrace** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:59 am

Finally found out why my headlights are not bright. They almost feel like I am driving with no lights. The hid bulbs are not seated/aligned properly as well as the slight haze inside the headlamps.

I pushed and can rotate the hid bulbs but there does not seem to be a "lock-in" position unlike the parking lights. I turn it to focus but it doesn't stay there. Still it is now much better than before.

Any tips on how to lock in the hid bulbs better? I would like to give this a try before removing the headlights for a clean.

I have thought about going back to halogens but thought I would give this one last try before deciding. Thanks.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 1:47 pm

If it were my car I would throw the HID aftermarket dodgy gear in the bin. The standard lights will work just fine and the bulbs will fit properly in the bublholders. HIDs are also not legal. It sounds to me that it is possible the lamp is leaking perhaps because the hid is not seating correctly in the bulb holder. I am assuming you have a NB and the early versions have an H4 - a good reliable light source.

droo · Postby **droo** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 1:34 pm

It would appear the HID bulbs have gotten hot enough to break their gluing. I've had this happen with one HID in the past. I ended up epoxying it in place, and also siliconing it. Mind you, i ended up replacing it a few weeks later when i realised how cheap the replacements were. (the bulb was 4 years old)

Replacing the HID bulbs is going to be the same price as buying brand name halogen H4 bulbs anyway. Heaps on local ebay with quick postage, and you're looking at a smidge under $20 for two. (H4 bixenons)
(4300k 35W bixenon)