Water in Headlamps?

[parkpointer]

My neighbor recently got a used but not abused Ford Taurus sedan. After replacing much needed tires and fixing a front axle seal, he noticed water in both headlights.
How are the headlamp units removed, and does anyone know how to fix them so moisture doesn't fill them up?
Any help would be appreciated!!

[mwt47]

You kind of need to tell us what year Taurus you friend has

Mike

[Mama's T-Bird]

This is a cheapie/freebie fix suggested by my mechanic for my 1997 Windstar which had water in one headlight. Take a drill with a very small bit and drill out 2 holes on the lowest part on the 'bottom' of the lens. Don't drill on the front because as you go down the road on a rainy day it will force water back into the lens. Was very sceptical but tried it anyway (Windstar lens stuck out far enough to use drill without removing anything), and it's lasted 7 years without having to replace anything.

[Colt Hero]

Agree that drilling the holes works. A co-worker just told me he did this with his '95 Taurus wagon and it worked like a champ. Sounds funny to me, though.

Also, just read in Popular Mechanics recently that 3M has a headlight lens cleaning kit that will removed the glazing effect that dims the headlights. You end up using very fine sandpaper together with a rubbing compound to removed a thin layer off the top of the lens which has become pitted from road dirt. My Taurus needs this treatment, but I haven't done it yet...

[HEdwards2007]

I have the same issue with one headlamp on a 2002 Ford Taurus and have tried everything but removing the actual seal around the pod. I'll have to try the hole drilling thing and give it a whirl.

[shorod]

Since drilling holes won't prevent water from getting back into the lenses and possibly burning out the bulbs or deteriorating the reflective coating, I prefer to take the extra time to remove the headlight assemblies, then use the extra thin CA glue (available from most hobby shops) along with the CA accelerator spray. Starting at the top, I apply the extra thin CA (like water thin) and let it run around the seam between the lense and the bucket, then soon after apply a spray of the accelrator. I do this all the way around the seam. Then I remove one of the vent covers from the bucket and align a brushless fan to circulator air through the assembly to dry out any residual moisture. Once all the condensation is dried out, I reinstall the vent cover and assembly. Never had moisture again after this, and don't have to worry about water getting back in.

-Rod