210 Headlamps Mist Up & Leaking Help!!!!
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 28
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From: HOUSTON, TX
1997 E300D
210 Headlamps Mist Up & Leaking Help!!!!
THE HEADLAMPS (STANDARD NOT HID) ON MY 97 E300D ARE LEAKING!!! THEY ARE COLLECTING WATER DROPLETS FROM INSIDE OF THE GLASS & FOGGING UP. THIS ALSO CAUSES THEM TO HAVE A DIRTY APPERANCE!!! QUESTION, IS THERE A WAY TO REMOVE ONLY THE GLASS PROTION OF THE ASSEMBLY SO I CAN CLEAN THE INSIDE??? IS THERE A REMEDY OR MODIFCATION I CAN DO TO THE STOCK UNITS THAT WILL PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN???? IF I CAN'T CLEAN AND FIX THE STOCK UNITS, WILL BUYING FACTORY REPLACEMENTS CURE THE PROBLEM, HAS MB REDESIGNED THE REPLACMENTS TO SOLVE THIS??? I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 210'S, BUT I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION!!! PLEASE HELP!!!
Last edited by DMOODY; Oct 30, 2002 at 02:00 PM.
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Sorry to hear about your troubles. Yes the headlights are supposed to be sealed and when water or moisture gets in you have to replace the entire headlamp assembly.
You can buy aftermarket replacement lenses, however, they are Euro spec and not DOT approved and may look different from what you have. Hope it is not HID, those are very expensive.
You can buy aftermarket replacement lenses, however, they are Euro spec and not DOT approved and may look different from what you have. Hope it is not HID, those are very expensive.
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Originally posted by E55 KEV
You can buy aftermarket replacement lenses, however, they are Euro spec and not DOT approved and may look different from what you have. Hope it is not HID, those are very expensive.
You can buy aftermarket replacement lenses, however, they are Euro spec and not DOT approved and may look different from what you have. Hope it is not HID, those are very expensive.
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From: Kansas
96 E 320 and 87 560 SL
You will have to remove the entire headlight assembly. (just three bolts) the assembly has two parts, the lense and the back, with a rubber gasket in between. they are held together by wire fasteners. one of these fasteners has probably broken or been unlatched to allow moisture into the lamp assembly. If the housing is cracked you will need a new one. When you have it all disassembled, clean (or replace if yellowed and cracked) the lenses and backing then dry the inside with a hairdryer to get out all the moisture. Reassemble being careful the gasket is making a tight seal. then reinstal them in the car. Be sure to recheck the headlight aim.
Hope that helps
Hope that helps
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Kansas
96 E 320 and 87 560 SL
E320 is right, the wire fasteners hold the bulb and socket in place. but if the wire is broken or left unlatched it will let in moisture. If you remove the whole headlight assembly it can be taken apart by loosening the plastic tabs that hold it together with a couple of screwdrivers and a little patience. Go slow. There may be a little sealant on a couple of the tabs that you have to break free. I replaced the lenses on my 96 this way, they were yellowed and cloudy from years of Texas sunlight and no garage. The aftermarket lenses look great and I have not had any problems with them for 5 months.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,583
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From: Washington D.C.
2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
www.bekkers.com sells the euro spec replacement lenses. Not listed on website, you have to call. Good Luck.
