Headlight cover

[dhlairbusb4@cs.com]

Just noticed today the left headlight cover has a pollen buildup inside, while the right cover is clear and clean. The car is a 2014 S drive 28 I, in excellent condition. Is it possible to remove the cover or does the entire headlight assembly have to be removed?
The pollen here in central FL has been ridiculous for the last few weeks.
Thanks in advance, any ideas/help appreciated.

[B21]

Sadly the headlight unit is a one piece affair..probably need to take the whole unit off to sort it..

[Marcoose]

OP, if you’re going to repair your headlamps, and if your Zed is a keeper, check out OSSdesigns in North Carolina. Get your headlamp painted and tricked out. See below.

[KennyP]

Originally Posted by dhlairbusb4@cs.com

Just noticed today the left headlight cover has a pollen buildup inside, while the right cover is clear and clean. The car is a 2014 S drive 28 I, in excellent condition. Is it possible to remove the cover or does the entire headlight assembly have to be removed?
The pollen here in central FL has been ridiculous for the last few weeks.
Thanks in advance, any ideas/help appreciated.

You may want to watch this video:

https://youtu.be/O9Tp-r-wRbc?si=OztxJvTKNhMtQ6X_

i think its better to find a good new used headlight from a car that has had an accident and is being broken up for parts... youll see in the video why i think so...

And after replacing it you can sell the old pollen headlight on ebay etc.. to someone who is interested in ripping it apart... or maybe to someone who doesnt even care about the pollen inside...
...and get some of your money back...

[dhlairbusb4@cs.com]

Thanks guys, appreciate the info, and video.
The simple car guy was interesting, but I prefer a simple replacement should I decide its needed. OSS is an option too.
Finding used replacement headlights for the Z4 is most likely not going to happen.
I wonder if removing a bulb, and blowing it out with an air hose would work?

[B21]

Originally Posted by dhlairbusb4@cs.com

Thanks guys, appreciate the info, and video.
The simple car guy was interesting, but I prefer a simple replacement should I decide its needed. OSS is an option too.
Finding used replacement headlights for the Z4 is most likely not going to happen.
I wonder if removing a bulb, and blowing it out with an air hose would work?

You can certainly try that !

[Steve Jarvis]

I heated my 911 headlights in the oven at around 180 degrees to soften the sealant and then pulled them apart. The hard part in cleaning out the old sealant, so you can get a good seal when you put them back together. I haven't done this on E89 headlights, so attempt at your own risk.

[dhlairbusb4@cs.com]

I am still considering the use of compressed air. But not sure what type bulbs are installed and do not want to damage anything. If they are standard halogen bulbs, removal and reinstall should be easy. But if they are projector type, then I have no idea how they are fitted to the housing. Any thoughts???

Another project I am thinking of is battery replacement. My current battery is four years old this August. It is a 70 AH small case battery. I have a Carly ordered, and should be able to register the replacement with that... but as usual, anybody done this, and can you advise the pros and cons about DIY vs taking it to the Stealership?

[B21]

Originally Posted by dhlairbusb4@cs.com

I am still considering the use of compressed air. But not sure what type bulbs are installed and do not want to damage anything. If they are standard halogen bulbs, removal and reinstall should be easy. But if they are projector type, then I have no idea how they are fitted to the housing. Any thoughts???

Another project I am thinking of is battery replacement. My current battery is four years old this August. It is a 70 AH small case battery. I have a Carly ordered, and should be able to register the replacement with that... but as usual, anybody done this, and can you advise the pros and cons about DIY vs taking it to the Stealership?

There are two bulbs..a H9 for the daylight running light aka Angel Eyes and a D1S HID both easily removable..

Some cars were fitted with 80 ah batteries ..the logic of what was fitted to which is a mystery..

So if you change battery size it needs to be re-coded ..when any battery is changed it needs to be registered..Carly should be able to do it..

An E89 battery should last at least 7+ years if it was treated properly ..once abused it can shorten its life to a few days..

[Steve Jarvis]

If the seal is broken, cleaning them will be a short term fix. Do you get condensation in the lens?

[dhlairbusb4@cs.com]

No condensation, just what I think is pollen. But looking at it closer, it may be indentations on the outside. I will look again, I also noticed the windshield seems to have pitting, maybe that is what I am seeing on the headlight covers.

The car did sit for an extended period of time, and I do not know if it was on a trickle charger. No dash warnings, but a voltage check was 12.2, last time I checked. The O'Rielly nearby checked it and said it was a good battery.

[Steve Jarvis]

DO NOT break the seal on your headlights if you don't have condensation. More then likely it's on the outside.