Headlight issue

[Rtaylor8]

Hi Everyone

Just re-taxed the SLK, having taken it off the road for the winter. I have made sure it is ready for the summer (Oil, tyres etc....). Having used it for the past few days (when to be fair it hasn’t stopped raining! ) and I’ve been met by this (Photos attached )

Headlight was fine last year, when I put it away in the garage - passenger-side one looks fine

Is this save-able? or is a new one required (£250 from MB) or maybe a second hand one off eBay (£50). Suggestions/advice happily received. I am thinking of removing it and trying to reseal it with some sealant. Does this work Or is it a waste of time

 

[grahamcol]

My R170 SLK tends to mist the headlights under some conditions but what you have there is something else! I believe these can be resealed and l seem to recall having seen this done somewhere on the Web, might have been a different MB model though. I don't think you have a lot to lose by trying. Strange how it's gone bad in storage. You could remove the bulb cover on the back and carefully use a hair dryer to dry things up / see if the issue returns prior to doing anything else.

 

[Rtaylor8]

Thanks. I’ll have a go. It used to mist up a bit before I took it off the road but nothing like that!

 

[LostKiwi]

If the front seal between lens and body has deteriorated try some Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Sealer. It's used for caravan seams and will seep into the gaps and set.

 

[Rtaylor8]

I guess that’s where it has gone... never heard of Captain Tolleys but just looked on Amazon - will get some and try....

 

[grahamcol]

Do let us know how you get on. Might try that Captain stuff myself.

 

[mattkh]

If the front seal between lens and body has deteriorated try some Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Sealer. It's used for caravan seams and will seep into the gaps and set.

Any idea how quickly it sets..?

 

[LostKiwi]

Any idea how quickly it sets..?

Seem to recall a couple of hours. It runs into any gaps through capillary action then sets.

 

[Rtaylor8]

Ordered late yesterday off Amazon, hoped it would arrive this morning so I could do it as it stopped raining. Due to arrive tonight so will have a crack at it next weekend as using the car this week, Which hopefully should give it time to dry out. Will keep everyone posted on how I get on. Fingers crossed that Captain Tolley does what it says on the tin!

 

[Rtaylor8]

UPDATE:

Haven’t had chance with work commitments and the weather here to do the large-scale headlight on the SLK. However, did do son‘s small indicator on his Fiat this week, which last time it rained heavily ended up with a 3-4cm pool of water in the bottom! Just washed it today and sprayed it for a few minutes with the hose and all seems watertight.

Will now have a go at the SLK when off work in a couple of weeks. Will update then! Thanks for advice - Captain Tolly’s a new addition to the garage!