W212 headlamp disassemble, open, cleaning, needed
#1
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Location: Fort Collins Colorado
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2012 E350 4MATIC
W212 headlamp disassemble, open, cleaning, needed
I purchased HID and the resistors got so hot they melted some of the internal housing and in the process created this white powder that is now covering the interior of the headlamp. I have my car in pieces and have tried the oven trick to heat up the glue and have had no success. I have also removed every screw that I could find internally. Has anyone successfully opened one of these headlamps.
Please help. Also, does anyone have headlamps for sale? New or Used?
Thanks everybody.
Please help. Also, does anyone have headlamps for sale? New or Used?
Thanks everybody.
#2
Senior Member
Along time ago when I worked in a plant that made these types of "forward lighting" units, they were held together by an RTV sealant that was not designed to be opened up. My guess is that you may be able to break the seal, but you will also probably fracture the plastic. All these units are aluminized in a special vacuum process that deposits a very thin layer that does not take kindly to any moisture in there long term. So when the moisture gets in from whatever cracks you create, the aluminum will eventually start to corrode a bit and won't be all nice and shiny.
So just to be able to put a lamp in there that the projector was never designed for, you experienced the quality of ****ty Chinese electronic parts in a very high end German car. Most likely if you want the lights fixed you will probably have to find a used headlight assembly if you can or a oem replacement for who knows what price. If you somehow split it open and then put it back together, you may see the interior shine start to dull after a year or so.
So just to be able to put a lamp in there that the projector was never designed for, you experienced the quality of ****ty Chinese electronic parts in a very high end German car. Most likely if you want the lights fixed you will probably have to find a used headlight assembly if you can or a oem replacement for who knows what price. If you somehow split it open and then put it back together, you may see the interior shine start to dull after a year or so.
#3
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2012 E350 4MATIC
Purchasing options
So... with the inability to open these f'ers, here is what I am looking at purchasing. Does anyone have any experience? Two of these have optional HID upgrades which scares me.
http://www.carid.com/2010-mercedes-e...-12005286.html
http://www.parts4euro.com/depo-chrom...ss-p-2801.html
http://www.go-parts.com/1011-mercede...FZKGaQodf5YAfQ
https://www.uniquestyleracings.com/i...product_id=428
http://www.carid.com/2010-mercedes-e...-12005286.html
http://www.parts4euro.com/depo-chrom...ss-p-2801.html
http://www.go-parts.com/1011-mercede...FZKGaQodf5YAfQ
https://www.uniquestyleracings.com/i...product_id=428
#4
Senior Member
You might as well order it off Amazon for a few bucks cheaper:
Just keep in mind, these are not OEM lights, they are aftermarket. If you price out the OEM assemblies over on autohauzaz, one of the better suppliers of benz parts, they come in at around 1600 each side.
http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/2128204661
The lights for around 200 look to be copies of the original designs which in my book is a good thing. That's probably why the claim they: Meet or exceed DOT/SAE standards with particular consideration for photometric and safety compliance.. Not because they subjected their lights for testing but they copied lights that had met the tests.
I've ordered aftermarket turn assemblies for an older benz and an older Volvo and they were a plug and play fit and the quality was good. It's when they start creating their own unique designs emphasizing how they look over and above how well they work that I think you run into problems. Since these cars are still fairly new and the original design is quite sporty looking, that will probably be a few years in the making. But when W212's are being sold for less than 10K, I'd imagine there will be lots more tuner parts available with questionable quality.
Just keep in mind, these are not OEM lights, they are aftermarket. If you price out the OEM assemblies over on autohauzaz, one of the better suppliers of benz parts, they come in at around 1600 each side.
http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/2128204661
The lights for around 200 look to be copies of the original designs which in my book is a good thing. That's probably why the claim they: Meet or exceed DOT/SAE standards with particular consideration for photometric and safety compliance.. Not because they subjected their lights for testing but they copied lights that had met the tests.
I've ordered aftermarket turn assemblies for an older benz and an older Volvo and they were a plug and play fit and the quality was good. It's when they start creating their own unique designs emphasizing how they look over and above how well they work that I think you run into problems. Since these cars are still fairly new and the original design is quite sporty looking, that will probably be a few years in the making. But when W212's are being sold for less than 10K, I'd imagine there will be lots more tuner parts available with questionable quality.