GLKster

I have noticed condensation in the front turning signal areas (both left & right) in the last few days. The headlight areas are fine, just the turn signal areas affected. I can see moisture inside the glass. Has anyone else noticed the same issue. Moisture = leak somewhere

Kamen

I have that too, I noticed it when I picked it up. I asked the dealer what's up but he said it's normal just the same old shift in weather temp. idea. It kind of annoys me but I'll see how it gets, it only appears when it's colder but since we're in Van that's like 3/4 of the year...

MB_Owner

Is your GLK parked outside overnight? Mine is garaged and I'm not seeing any turn-signal condensation despite daily temp swings between freezing and the low-60s and morning humidity levels running in the mid-90s with dense fog.

GLKster

I also noticed the condensation when I picked up the GLK, since I waited 3 months, I just wanna pick it up and enjoy the car.

I park under my car port, eventually will enclose into a garage. I noticed the issuse during the day as well, not just overnight parking.

Kamen

I live in a condo, my car is parked in a multi-level semi closed car park. I notice the condensation usually in the evening, I do not drive to work so I have not seen it in the morning or afternoon but I would imagine it persist throughout the day.

Is the condensation a bad thing for your lights? Will it eventually build up into a problem? I've only had the GLK for a few days but I'd much rather deal with the issue now than later. Thanks guys

dlinjuly2009

http://www.slkworld.com/help-support...any-ideas.html

http://mbca.cartama.net/archive/index.php/t-5399.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...densation.html

GLKster

Thanks dlinjuly2009,

After reading your post. I guess it is somewhat within MB's guidelines, the condensation in the front turning signals (eyebrow) does go away after ahwile. But it always comes back, only had the GLK for 12 days. Hope it goes away after break-in period, if not I'll mention it at the first service.

Baby G

Personally I wouldn't accept that in a brand NEW vehicle. I had a similar issue in in my Acura 3.2 CL-S, and the dealer immediately ordered brand new parts for replacement.

MBRedux

New replacements may also do the same if the flaw in the headlight assembly design is not found. Probably the assembly is not glued properly or a seal is not doing it's job.

Baby G

I agree with you absolutely, the not properly sealed. But come on, they should be able to get it right...

MB_Owner

I'm not sure you'd have much choice if it clears up within the 20-minute guideline discussed in the post dlinjuly2009 referenced. Obviously the light-assembly housing has to be vented to accommodate pressure changes between sea level and mountainous regions (as well as heat-driven housing pressure changes during extended headlamp operations) so it appears to me the vent locations are in areas which are prone to high-moisture conditions as air gets sucked back in to the housing assembly during cool-down.

One could probably argue the point that it's a venting design fault but M-B would surely have corrected it on a new vehicle based on the existing C-Class if engineering considered it to be an actionable item.

That's why I asked the OP if the GLK was being parked outside overnight. As winter approaches and we operate the lights more hours/day and over a wider range of environmental conditions, there will be increased air exchange in the housing and a greater chance that moisture-laden air will be sucked in during the housing cool-down. And then you'll see condensation on the lens cover the next morning. In my case, the garage is dry so any air sucked back into the housing overnight is pretty much void of any excess moisture...and I'm not seeing the problem. That might not be the case for vehicles parked outside overnight in high-humidity conditions.

MBRedux

Agreed... but the only way to know for sure is to take one out and examine it... however I'm not going to that to my wife's car but the next time I'm at the dealer I'll go to parts desk and ask to see one.

GLKster

Well.....it is raining in Vancouver again. My wife drove home and the GLK sat around for an hour. You can see the condensation in the front eyebrow area. I didn't leave on the headlight for 20mins. The glow in the pics = condensation. I'll take better pics and email my saleman in the next few days.

MBRedux

Yup... that's no good... it will slowly ruin the headlamp... please let us know what your dealer says...

GLKster

An email from dealership regarding moisture in the eyebrow area.

"the fogging in the lights, we will need to check if the headlamps are
sealed on the back covers correctly, but some consenation is possible but
should always burn off, so if it's not we will have to investigate"

Again, will make appointment and update when done.

mr.mbenz

Hey GLKster,

this is more than normal?
These GLKs were tested in extreme heat and cold (Artic) and not sure if this should be present in this way. I am sure there must be a leak somewhere. Is this happening on all MB's with this type of housing?

give us your update.

Kamen

I took the GLK in to Richmond Service today and they took and look and made a service request over to Toronto, one of the service reps will call me back about it.

The condensation is kind of weird sometimes it will appear but sometimes when I expect it to be there it won't be. Over the weekend it rained a lot and it got kind of bad, this morning it was raining yet when I took it in there was none to be found. All I could show the guy was a bit of condensation starting to form at the corner and and the residue of the previous condensation bubbles in the turn signal areas.

MBRedux

what about your photos?

mr.mbenz

Here's an excerpt from MB's brochure...

During 2 years, starting from November 2006, a group of 30 Mercedes-Benz engineers and mechanics performed the TEST OF ENDURANCE for a new compact version of the Mercedes-Benz family of SUVs – GLK Class.

They drove it around the planet more than 1.5 million miles over impossible terrain of the Arctic Circle and the African desert!

It had to take hills of up to 70% degree under the temperatures ranging from -11° F to +158° F. ( that's -23.9° C and 70° C ) - ooouch!

Only after the successful completion of the test, Mercedes-Benz placed it in production and then introduced the entirely new 2010 GLK Class model line-up.

So, was this an oversight since all the testing was done and no one looked at the vehicles in the morning to check the overall condition of the GLK? - Nor did they test for " everyday, real-life scenarios " ?

' Some things that just makes you go hmmmmmmmmmmm '

mr.mbenz

For those in Vancouver, / Richmond...we have had a fair share of rain / cold / and extreme winds. What has been the outcome of those light issues? Anyone?

Kamen

They haven't called me back so I am assuming they just didn't bother or Toronto HQ is really slow. I will follow up with it next week sometime or on the weekend.

Strangely I haven't noticed any condensation lately, even in this weather. I drove down to Seattle over the weekend and it was also fine.

BUT I have noticed a little condensation one day randomly, it just likes to appear whenever it's really hard to get a consistent effect to go show the service depot.

mr.mbenz

even though we have had lots of rain and heavy winds, the weather overall is warm. Not warm as spring though.
However, since we are lingering around 7-9 oC, it may not be showing up?

Keep us posted, Kamen.

GLKster

It has been raining pretty bad lately. I just looked at the GLK and there are condensation again. I have been busy and will book an appointment soon, probably at about 1500km for oil change, and try to resolve both issues (condensation & whining noise)

Kamen

I just received a call back from the service associate looking after my inquiry. He had contacted main office in Toronto and the service/parts department with the head foreman.

According to him and the notice he showed me (but I am not allowed to have a copy of) the small amount of condensation is a normal effect. Something along the lines of the new design of the headlight housing unit and it not being fully sealed like in previous models, and dissipation of heat and how it cools off after useage around the colder climate outside will cause a small amount of condensation.

As long as it the condensation burns off/dries then there is no problem and this is normal, but if you notice a collection of water then that would be abnormal.

As far as I am concerned I am satisfied with the inquiry, he did mention if I was not satisfied I could further escalate it or something but it was just a fancy way of saying if this doesn't meet your satisfaction then please be a dick.

I'll leave it at that, I trust there won't be any complications with my vehicle if it's stated as a regular status. Hope that helps everyone!

MBRedux

[quote=Kamen;3841758]I just received a call back from the service associate looking after my inquiry. He had contacted main office in Toronto and the service/parts department with the head foreman.

According to him and the notice he showed me (but I am not allowed to have a copy of) (INSIST ON A COPY OR TELL THIS GUY YOU WILL BE A "DICK"... BECAUSE WHEN YOUR HEADLAMPS LENSES START TO GET DULL, FOGGY, AND LOOK LIKE CRAP... YOU'LL BE STUCK WITH THE BILL. AT LEAST WITH A COPY OF THE NOTICE YOU'LL HAVE EVIDENCE THAT MB TOLD YOU A BUNCH OF )the small amount of condensation is a normal effect. Something along the lines of the new design of the headlight housing unit and it not being fully sealed like in previous models, and dissipation of heat and how it cools off after useage around the colder climate outside will cause a small amount of condensation.


As long as it the condensation burns off/dries then there is no problem and this is normal, but if you notice a collection of water then that