S2 Exige front indicator removal / condensation issue

[LotusLee]

Noticed my front n/s indicator has been getting quite a bit of condensation and is slowly filling up with water. How do I get into the back of it for removal, through the wheel arch liner?
I'm guessing it's a sealed unit so will it be OK if I just dry it out and maybe put some silicon sealant on the bulb holder?
Also should the rubber gasket bit stay in place when the lamp is removed ? I've noticed part of the gasket is coming away from the clam so I could stick that down with some double sided trim tape incase thats where the water is getting in.
Any tips appreciated. cheers Lee

[hendeg]

Just drive it more and it'll probably pop out of it's own accord

Mine popped out on the old Elise and I had had to do a fix and pop it back in. I'm not sure how you're supposed to get them out but this might give you a better idea - http://www.sandsmuseum.com/cars/elise/e ... rlens.html.

Gary.

[robin]

Look into the mouth of the car - in the top corners there's a wee hole - insert a flat bladed screw driver into that hole and press - sooner or later you will either pop the release catch or break the release catch off. Good luck.

Rather than try and seal them I suspect it will be easier to drill a small hole in the back at the top and another one at the bottom - between them they will act as drain (to empty out the goldfish) and vent (to dry out the condensation).

Assuming you snap the catch removing the lens, you'll need to use a discreet amount of glue, e.g. super glue, to hold it in place.

The rubber will come out with the lens.

Ta,
Robin

[LotusLee]

Cheers for that Robin, drilling might be best, what size drill 2.5mm ? I never knew about those holes in the clam. I had a go at it but was only managing to prise it a few mm up then when I moved the screwdriver the lamp was springing back into place . I gave up as I had a feeling that I might end up with the screwdriver coming through the clam or indicator I'll maybe give it another try and if it doesn't work I'll just have to take it to someone who has done the job before as I guess there is a knack to it. Where does it get glued/siliconed ? Between the gasket-clam , gasket-indicator or both?
Cheers Lee

[robin]

The rubber fits pretty well to the indicator, so I would think a small amount of glue between the rubber and the clam will do it - silicone is a good idea - less likely to damage the clam next time you need to remove the indicators.

If you're gentle with something like a credit card between the rubber and the clam you can do some lifting on the indicator whilst pressing the release tab - eventually it will spring free or snap - given that they snap eventually anyway, it doesn't matter too much if you snap it now

I was thinking 4 mm holes top and bottom - 2.5mm is so small I think it'll get clogged with grime perhaps?

Cheers,
Robin

[duggiesmith]

Just drive it more and it'll probably pop out of it's own accord

Been there done that. Twice.

As already mentioned, the clip is likely to break eventually, perhaps better doing it yourself than waiting for it to go on the motorway
Mine's now held in with silicone. Seems to work fine.

[LotusLee]

Had another go and got it off without breaking the clip Have drilled the 2x 4mm holes so will see how it goes like that, I did'nt have any clear silicon handy so have taken a chance and just clipped it back in Cheers for the help.

[j2 lot]

Had another go and got it off without breaking the clip Have drilled the 2x 4mm holes so will see how it goes like that, I did'nt have any clear silicon handy so have taken a chance and just clipped it back in Cheers for the help.

I would still try to get some silicon on it as they do have a reputation for the clips breaking resulting in unexpected low flying indicators

[meatball]

I suspect it'll already be broken if it is misting up?

[robin]

No, when the clip breaks it just snaps off - it doesn't give any new route for moisture to enter.

The units are supposed to be sealed, but it is impossible to have a sealed unit that you can also change the bulb on (well, for Lotus, anyway), so moisture finds its way in and you have to provide a route for it to exit again

Cheers,
Robin

[Scotty C]

I need 2 new ones, will take pikee smashed ones

[LotusLee]

I took it off again without breaking it and have put silicon on both sides of the gasket around the bottom just to make sure . The lamp unit appeared to have nothing wrong with it when it was off.