Moisture/Condensation In Headlight Assembly/Unit

[MFP]

There’s a fly in the ointment.
The ‘13 S10 that I picked up at the end of June has an issue that I need to address. Not sure if was a pre-existing condition. There is condensation in the headlamp assembly which sometimes appears as small droplets but yesterday when I went on a ride I noticed a significantly larger amount of condensation in a different area of the assembly. I assume that the headlamp assembly must have a compromise within which is allowing moisture in. There does not appear to be any cracks in the front of the plastic housing but I am not sure about the back part. When I took the dust covers off from behind where the headlight bulbs are located I did notice the left side bulb housing had a gap around where the bulb sits.
The PO had PIAA H7 bulbs in there which I replaced with the regular 12V 55W H7s. The PIAAs were also 12V 55Ws. I guess I will have to pull the whole headlight assembly out and search for a spot where perhaps the housing has a crack, split or maybe even a dried out gasket. Are these headlight units supposed to be totally sealed? Are there valves/drains for air/moisture control?
After I check for a leak and if I do find one I shall address it accordingly, I will carefully use the hair dryer approach to try and dry out the moisture within and hope that rectifies the problem. My garage definitely has humidity issues as it is not climate controlled.
Keep in mind that the weather here in the NYC area has been hot, humid and extremely rainy so far this Summer.
Anyone here ever encounter this problem? Tried searching for any info regarding this issue and nothing of note came up.
Any advice or suggestions?
I new headlight assembly is quite $.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Gigitt]

Water has probably entered from the rear caps.
There should be an o-ring on the caps that helps keep out stuff.
Unfortunately the cap fit is not tight, so in heavy rain water may enter via the cap as it is semi exposed.

That said my S10 has lived outside rain or shine for the last 2.5 years. I have Cyclops rear caps on my headlight which are even a looser fit than then stock caps, and there is no water/dust entry into my headlights.

Pulling the headlights is not hard. take the front screen off and maybe some upper faring, then it is just 4 bolts from the front and one electrical connector. (sorry I have gen2 bike and gen1 is slightly different faring under the screen)

With the headlight out also check the park/city light bulbs - these do fit tight.
while you are here replace the city bulbs to Bright LED's if you want - you can only to this with the headlight off the bike.

The headlight 'gasket' should be ok. This stuff does not harden as it is like sticky gum.

Use a hairdryer on low heat to dry it.

 

[Ramseybella]

Myself i put some white grease or silicone grease just a fine coat on all sides of the O ring.
Doesn't need much just to keep it moist and get a good complete seal when the cap is reinstalled.

That's my deal. ::003::

 

[Cycledude]

Seems like you have already received some good helpful tips. I would try removing both rear covers and try drying it out with a hair dryer on low or even no heat, my 13 has been in lots of rain and so far no water in the headlights, I’m thinking that maybe a previous owner of your Tenere rode without the covers installed or had them off while washing the bike and got water in there but you didn’t notice it at first, I’m thinking if you can get it all nice and dry inside and reinstall the covers properly it might never happen again.

 

[MFP]

Gigitt, Ramesybella and Cycledude,
Thanks for all your replies, I'm happy to know I was on the right track regarding how to remedy the moisture issue.
I have some free time all to myself coming up and hopefully I will get my headlight unit sorted out.

 

[Roge]

Removing the head light unit is not difficult so it's easy to bring the light unit inside in the warm less humid atmosphere.