Does drilling my taillight remove condensation?

Rox335i · 10-05-2020, 11:10 PM

I bought a pair of aftermarket taillights and now I regret not buying the OEM BMW taillights. Will drilling a hole remove the condensation? I didn't noticed it until a couple days ago even when I washed my car like 5+ times ever since I stalled it like 5 months ago.

It looks worse when it's colder I think..

328iX · 10-05-2020, 11:54 PM

I've heard people do that if there isn't proper ventilation, most of the time the culprit is poor sealing of the lens.

Rox335i · 10-06-2020, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

I've heard people do that if there isn't proper ventilation, most of the time the culprit is poor sealing of the lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

I've heard people do that if there isn't proper ventilation, most of the time the culprit is poor sealing of the lens.

It's been 3 days and it still stayed the same

.

328iX · 10-06-2020, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rox335i

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

I've heard people do that if there isn't proper ventilation, most of the time the culprit is poor sealing of the lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

I've heard people do that if there isn't proper ventilation, most of the time the culprit is poor sealing of the lens.

It's been 3 days and it still stayed the same

.

If there's still water inside it will continue to condensate. You need to dry it. Completely and try again. But if there's no drainage and too much water getting in it has to be resealed.

Rox335i · 10-06-2020, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rox335i

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

I've heard people do that if there isn't proper ventilation, most of the time the culprit is poor sealing of the lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

I've heard people do that if there isn't proper ventilation, most of the time the culprit is poor sealing of the lens.

It's been 3 days and it still stayed the same

.

If there's still water inside it will continue to condensate. You need to dry it. Completely and try again. But if there's no drainage and too much water getting in it has to be resealed.

So over time it won't dry itself?

328iX · 10-06-2020, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rox335i

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rox335i

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

I've heard people do that if there isn't proper ventilation, most of the time the culprit is poor sealing of the lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328iX

I've heard people do that if there isn't proper ventilation, most of the time the culprit is poor sealing of the lens.

It's been 3 days and it still stayed the same

.

If there's still water inside it will continue to condensate. You need to dry it. Completely and try again. But if there's no drainage and too much water getting in it has to be resealed.

So over time it won't dry itself?

With a slow enough leak and adequate ventilation yes.

Kailec · 10-06-2020, 03:31 PM

I hear that the aftermarket ones sometimes have this problem and you need to seal it to make sure it doesn't become an issue.

kern417 · 10-08-2020, 08:25 AM

I had an OEM one with the same issue and replaced it. drilling a hole will let it evaporate faster but then you'll see condensation every time you wash the car. Like 328iX said you need to dry it AND reseal it. But easiest thing to do is get it replaced under warranty.

Billfitz · 10-08-2020, 09:28 AM

A hole or two may help, but the reason you're getting the fogging it's not sealed tight, allowing water to get in. Where water gets in corrosion eventually follows, so I'd see about fixing the cause rather than the symptom.

davidr3 · 10-08-2020, 02:20 PM

Yup, reseal it or get a place to reseal it for you. You're only putting a bandaid by drilling it.

Pauloxxi · 10-08-2020, 10:53 PM

Some of these aftermarkets are terrible quality...

10-05-2020, 11:10 PM	#1
Rox335i First Lieutenant 142 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 14' 335i, 17' X6 35i Join Date: May 2017 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	I bought a pair of aftermarket taillights and now I regret not buying the OEM BMW taillights. Will drilling a hole remove the condensation? I didn't noticed it until a couple days ago even when I washed my car like 5+ times ever since I stalled it like 5 months ago. It looks worse when it's colder I think.. Attached Images
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10-05-2020, 11:54 PM	#2
328iX David 786 Rep 2,009 Posts Drives: 2015 328iX F31 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	I've heard people do that if there isn't proper ventilation, most of the time the culprit is poor sealing of the lens. __________________ F31 Suspension guide & discussion
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10-06-2020, 03:31 PM	#7
Kailec Lieutenant Colonel 595 Rep 1,953 Posts Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 328i xDrive [0.00]	I hear that the aftermarket ones sometimes have this problem and you need to seal it to make sure it doesn't become an issue.
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10-08-2020, 09:28 AM	#9
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8274 Rep 16,139 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	A hole or two may help, but the reason you're getting the fogging it's not sealed tight, allowing water to get in. Where water gets in corrosion eventually follows, so I'd see about fixing the cause rather than the symptom.
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10-08-2020, 02:20 PM	#10
davidr3 Captain 448 Rep 909 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Riverside iTrader: (1)	Yup, reseal it or get a place to reseal it for you. You're only putting a bandaid by drilling it.
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10-08-2020, 10:53 PM	#11
Pauloxxi Captain 339 Rep 660 Posts Drives: 2014-320Xi / 2017-330Xi Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northwest iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW / 330xi [0.00] 2014 BMW / 320xi [0.00]	Some of these aftermarkets are terrible quality...
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