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Tech Article – Headlight & Taillight Condensation on the L322 Range Rover

Since my first L322 model back in 2002, condensation in the various lights has been somewhat of an issue.  It has gotten better in the later years and here’s some info from TSB LTB00127/2008.  It focuses on 2008-2009 models but still gives you a good idea on what they consider too much/too little condensation and whether they will allow or deny a warranty replacement.

Headlight Summary:

Natural condensation under certain atmospheric conditions – normally a thin misting – within the headlamps.

• Incorrect replacement of bulb-covers following bulb replacement, or blockage of breather tubes, can lead to condensation forming. Ensure bulb-covers are correctly installed, and ensure that the breather tubes are not blocked and are free from dirt or debris. Clear the blockage or replace the breather tube if necessary. If this is determined to be the cause of the condensation, measures should be taken to dry out the lamps. Condensation levels should be monitored to allow natural dissipation of the condensation.

Cause: This is caused by air humidity condensing on the inner surfaces of the lamp lens, generally in colder weather. This will usually clear and exit through the breather tubes as the lamp heats up during a 30 minute period of normal dipped-beam operation. Suggested Customer Concern Code – L29.

Action: Always refer to the attached illustrations for guidance on acceptable misting conditions before proceeding with any repair. Should a customer express concern that after 30 minutes of normal dipped-beam operation, considerable water droplets remain on the inside of the headlamp glass, or there is evidence of standing water within the headlamp unit, the lamp should be replaced with a new unit. this bulletin has been issued to assist Authorized Repairers in providing a detailed explanation relating to Land Rover’s standards relating to this subject

All images below show acceptable condensation, not requiring replacement

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No drip marks/streaks in the finely condensed film on the interior side of the clear plastic lens.

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No visible water droplets in the thin mist.

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Mist does not obstruct the view of the lamp’s interior.

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Fine mist that covers less than 50% of the lens.

 

Unacceptable Taillight Condensation:

Normal condensation is a natural process. Range Rover tail lamps are vented to alleviate changes in pressure through a breather vent. Atmospheric air contains water vapor referred to as humidity. When this air enters the tail lamp under any circumstance, there is a possibility that condensation can occur if the temperature is cold enough. When normal condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the inside surface of the plastic lens. The thin mist will clear and exit through the vents during normal lamp operation.

During a period of normal tail and fog lamp operation (approximately thirty minutes) the condensation should dissipate as the lamp heats up.

However, if considerable water droplets still remain on the inside of the lamp lens after the 30 minutes of operation (Refer to the attached illustrations), the lamp should be renewed. If there is evidence of standing water within the lamp unit, the unit will also need to be renewed.

All illustrations below show unacceptable levels of water droplets

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E58385
E58386

E58387

2010-11-21T00:46:10-05:00November 22, 2010|

What and where is the L486?

Land Rover has various designations for their different models, not sure if they’re technically code names or just alternate ways to reference the vehicles.

Here are a few of the current models:

L316 – Defender

L319 – LR3 & LR4 – Discovery 3/4

L320 – Range Rover Sport

L322 – Range Rover – Current model(2002 –Range Rover - L322 today), below is a picture used in some technical documents, I don’t have a picture like this for the other models.

L359 – LR2 – Freelander 2

L538 – Range Rover Evoque

L405 – Possible code for the next Range Rover

And back to the point of the post, the L486, it’s been referenced in the press since 2008 or so and has been described by them as a 7-seater Freelander, possibly to be called the Ventura.  I take anything from the press with a grain of salt, but since 2008, it hasn’t really been brought up again. 

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/land-rover-developing-new-7-seater/

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20080624/free/957481398

I wrote about it back in April after finding some of the designers who worked on the project.

And just thought with the LA Auto show going on and Land Rover PR running at full steam, anyone who has a chance should start asking the LR PR people for comments for reactions.  Or if you have any info, send it over.

Quick reference back to my article from April, here’s the info, a small reference to the L486 along with the L538, which would become the Range Rover Evoque:

http://www.people4business.com/seller-269321.htm

This person has done a lot of work for Aston Martin & Bentley – they list the specific items.  The latest project is listed below:

WARWICKSHIRE (Oct 2007 & ongoing)

CAD ENGINEER – EXTERIOR TRIM – CATIA V5
LANDROVER L538 / L486
Initial design and feasibility studies for the following components: door claddings, rear spoiler, rear finisher, front and rear bumper cover, fender vents. Parametric modeling in Catia V5 to create fully modifiable master CAD models. Use of TCE to save and access data and create product structures. Liaison with styling, CAE and suppliers to mature designs.

Could the L486 be the 5-door Evoque?

And if you have some more current generation code names, please let me know.

One final item, you can see the alternate names in use all over the Land Rover website, below is a header graphic for the Range Rover Sport section, you can see the L320 in its filename:

LRNA_RRS_COMPARE_L320_10_EXT_LOC06-900×200.jpg

LRNA_RRS_COMPARE_L320_10_EXT_LOC06-900x200[1]

2010-12-06T02:10:46-05:00November 19, 2010|

2012 Range Rover Evoque 5-door Image Gallery & Press Release #rangeroverevoque

With the 5-door officially announced at the LA Auto show, the real countdown can start as to when we’ll see them on the road.  Click below to see the current gallery of 53 images of the 5-door and you can find the official press release at the bottom of this post.

rre5d

EMBARGO: 00:01 (GMT) on 10 November 2010

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW FIVE-DOOR RANGE ROVER EVOQUE – COUPE STYLE WITH ENHANCED VERSATILITY

· Addition of exciting five-door bodystyle to Range Rover Evoque line-up

· Bold exterior captures coupe design, with the same compact footprint and slightly higher roofline for enhanced versatility

· Premium cabin, with the enhanced space and practicality of the five-door format

· Permanent all-wheel drive combined with turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed auto transmission deliver performance and minimized fuel consumption

· All-new 240bhp* 2.0-liter Si4 turbocharged engine combining six-cylinder refinement and performance with four-cylinder fuel economy

· Dynamic and agile handling across varied terrain, available with Adaptive Dynamics featuring MagneRide™

· All-weather, multi-terrain capability with patented Land Rover Terrain Response®

· Innovative Range Rover technologies, including 8-inch (203mm)

touch-screen display and Surround Camera System

· To be sold in 160 countries worldwide, with North American deliveries from Fall 2011

· Indicative pricing starting from around $45,000

(more…)

2010-11-17T21:00:09-05:00November 17, 2010|

Land Rover Legacy Project & Old Prints

I know I mentioned this a while back but now that it’s actually open, I thought I’d post it again:

Land Rover Legacy Exhibition

A new exhibition about the history of the Lode Lane Solihull factory will take place at the Solihull Central Library from 9 – 25 November. The exhibition tells the story of the Lode Lane factory, its people and products, from 1940 to the present day and features photographs from the Archives of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust. Many of these photographs have never before been viewed by the general public.

***

I wish I had the time to get over there before the 25th and see what they’re showing, if you can make it to Solihull, please let me know how it was.

In the same Land Rover history vein – Motorgraphs has some great classic Land Rover & Range Rover photos that you can order in various printed formats.  This isn’t an endorsement, just something I think is really neat!

http://www.motorgraphs.com/

motorgraph

2010-11-16T09:22:00-05:00November 16, 2010|
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