Has this ever happened to anyone else?

Bogbrush82 · 15th August 2017, 22:28

So today I thought I'd tackle a small job on Tarquin, and investigate why the side repeaters had been flagged as an advisory. On removing it from the car I find out that the orange coating on the bulb has literally disintegrated, in effect changing it from an amber bulb to a white one.

How common is this? Has it happened to anybody else?

spyder · 15th August 2017, 22:32

Happened on a few cars with me. I tend to replace them as a matter of course on cars where they are difficult to get to-usually end up buying the wrong fittings.....

Avulon · 15th August 2017, 22:39

Happens all the time on the yellow coated bulbs. Some cars I wonder how they pass the mot like that (mine once the fronts were so bad I couldn't believe it). They are completely clear. Just watch those cars that are 4+ years old with the white indicator lenses and you'll soon start seeing them everywhere - flashing white or nearly so when they should be yellow - almost always the fronts because the rear lenses are usually coloured. I've no idea why the fashion came for white/clear indicator lenses meaning that the bulbs needed a coloured coat.

Hantsdave · 15th August 2017, 23:17

As stated above it is a common problem, in fact I just found this on the tourer I bought last week but in this case it was because the seal between the lens and base had parted and the light was full of moisture. I've found that those lights that stay watertight tend to allow the bulb coating to last a lot longer.

Just ordered 2 new indicators from DMGRS.

clf · 15th August 2017, 23:39

the two mots I had my B5.5 Passat, the tester mentioned to me that they should be changed, but I always forgot about it. (I eventually bought replacements, but since it was over the winter, I never got around to it due to weather and always forgot).

In the ZT I have chrome coated ones (they dont show and orange glow through the lenses). Nearly three years on, still good

rustymotor · 16th August 2017, 06:16

The garage I use for MOT is very keen on this, I always check and or change them before MOT.

Mickyboy · 16th August 2017, 06:48

I agree the chrome coated ones seem to last fairly well, I put some in the ZT a long time ago
Mick

baxlin · 16th August 2017, 07:00

+2 for the chrome covered ones. It's one of the first things I do when I change my cars, as I hate the 'fried egg' look of an amber bulb in a white/clear fitting.

I now have quite a few amber bulbs.......

Santara man · 16th August 2017, 07:09

Car spares shops and ebay sell an amber lacquer for repainting bulbs that have faded usually about £4 a bottle....I've had mine for years a little goes a long way.

kbonney88 · 16th August 2017, 07:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Santara man

Car spares shops and ebay sell an amber lacquer for repainting bulbs that have faded usually about £4 a bottle....I've had mine for years a little goes a long way.

never realised they sold this.. just googled it..

I have had a few cars fail the MOT on faded bulbs - may get some of this..

thanks..

15th August 2017, 22:28	#1
Bogbrush82 I really should get out more....... BMW X3 2.0D Join Date: May 2017 Location: Tipton Posts: 2,383 Thanks: 51 Thanked 765 Times in 421 Posts	Has this ever happened to anyone else? So today I thought I'd tackle a small job on Tarquin, and investigate why the side repeaters had been flagged as an advisory. On removing it from the car I find out that the orange coating on the bulb has literally disintegrated, in effect changing it from an amber bulb to a white one. How common is this? Has it happened to anybody else? __________________ Current car: BMW x3 2.0d (The one with the M47 engine!) Rolled off the line on December 14th, 2004.

15th August 2017, 22:32	#2
spyder This is my second home 75 CDT Auto Tourer , Rover 45 , Astra, Zaffira, Chev Captiva Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Wilts Posts: 3,342 Thanks: 203 Thanked 436 Times in 360 Posts	Happened on a few cars with me. I tend to replace them as a matter of course on cars where they are difficult to get to-usually end up buying the wrong fittings..... __________________ Chrome skull caps, EGR cleaned (original housing), Mondeo lower mounting, 12V outlets in the armrest and tourer boot, cat fixed, working FBH, Lidl plenum covers, DD with reverse camera.New speakesr/Tweeters with MDF rings. wood dash, Memory leather seats, wooden finished steering and handbrake, Xenon headlights.

15th August 2017, 22:39	#3
Avulon This is my second home 1.8t Tourer Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tanelorn Posts: 4,830 Thanks: 956 Thanked 1,148 Times in 916 Posts	Happens all the time on the yellow coated bulbs. Some cars I wonder how they pass the mot like that (mine once the fronts were so bad I couldn't believe it). They are completely clear. Just watch those cars that are 4+ years old with the white indicator lenses and you'll soon start seeing them everywhere - flashing white or nearly so when they should be yellow - almost always the fronts because the rear lenses are usually coloured. I've no idea why the fashion came for white/clear indicator lenses meaning that the bulbs needed a coloured coat. __________________ Need a T4 ?: T4 Owners Map thanks to Stevestrat ( use at your own risk) Where?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanelorn Mods/Retrofits: PCV vortex 'filter'; bluetooth; inline thermostat; reversing sensors; plenum spyhole ; headlamp washers ; Diy mp3 player replacing CD multichanger; FBH with remote; Headlamp washers; black/chrome front grille, rear blind; Xenon projectors To do: puddle lights; 2 Din cd/nav to fit; boot release button

15th August 2017, 23:17	#4
Hantsdave Loves to post 2004 CDTi SE TOURER Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hereford Posts: 427 Thanks: 110 Thanked 67 Times in 38 Posts	As stated above it is a common problem, in fact I just found this on the tourer I bought last week but in this case it was because the seal between the lens and base had parted and the light was full of moisture. I've found that those lights that stay watertight tend to allow the bulb coating to last a lot longer. Just ordered 2 new indicators from DMGRS. __________________ Previously owned..Austin Mini Countryman, Austin 1100 VDP, Princess 2200HL (x2), Ambassador VDP, TR7, Triumph Stag, Rover 820, Rover 216 GSi, Rover 420D, Rover 600 Si, Rover 600 GSi, Montego GSi, Rover 216 cabriolet, Jaguar XJ6 Gold, Rover 75 1.8, Rover 75 Tourer CDTi (x3), Rover 75 CDT x 2, Rover 75 Connie V6, Rover 45. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 x 2, Jeep Chrokee KK Plus a few other foreign ones I'm too embarrassed to mention..

15th August 2017, 23:39	#5
clf This is my second home MG ZT CDTi Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: carrick Posts: 7,859 Thanks: 3,494 Thanked 2,657 Times in 1,973 Posts	the two mots I had my B5.5 Passat, the tester mentioned to me that they should be changed, but I always forgot about it. (I eventually bought replacements, but since it was over the winter, I never got around to it due to weather and always forgot). In the ZT I have chrome coated ones (they dont show and orange glow through the lenses). Nearly three years on, still good __________________ It is not gloss primer .............. it is duct tape silver!

16th August 2017, 06:16	#6
rustymotor Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: May 2017 Location: Hull Posts: 1,848 Thanks: 216 Thanked 432 Times in 340 Posts	The garage I use for MOT is very keen on this, I always check and or change them before MOT.

16th August 2017, 06:48	#7
Mickyboy SERVICING AND DEALER DIAGNOSTICS MG ZT CDTI 135 + & MGZT CDTI AUTO 160 & ROVER 75 TOURER CDTI 160 TROPHY YELLOW Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hernebay Posts: 4,331 Thanks: 818 Thanked 2,414 Times in 1,141 Posts	I agree the chrome coated ones seem to last fairly well, I put some in the ZT a long time ago Mick __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] T4 Owner Jobs done : new UBP, Spy hole mod, Rear hub(wheel bearing),plenum cleaned and emptied, Inline thermostat fitted,Full service, In car Digital tv/DVD Bluetooth Satnav etc, Replaced UBP, Restored headlights,Fixed airbag connection.replaced HP pump,replaced rear light seals,changed intercooler O rings. Jobs to do: ,replace drivers lock,.[/SIZE]

16th August 2017, 07:00	#8
baxlin This is my second home Volvo C70 Convertible and JZR 3 wheeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tring, Herts Posts: 3,960 Thanks: 124 Thanked 173 Times in 124 Posts	+2 for the chrome covered ones. It's one of the first things I do when I change my cars, as I hate the 'fried egg' look of an amber bulb in a white/clear fitting. I now have quite a few amber bulbs....... __________________ Only my opinion, obviously, so please don’t shoot me if it doesn’t match yours!

16th August 2017, 07:09	#9
Santara man Avid contributor 2004 Rover75 Tourer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Winsford Cheshire Posts: 147 Thanks: 41 Thanked 43 Times in 32 Posts	Car spares shops and ebay sell an amber lacquer for repainting bulbs that have faded usually about £4 a bottle....I've had mine for years a little goes a long way. __________________ Growing old gracefully in a 75...Real nameTony