1995 Legacy Outback fog lamps - cleaning ideas?

[bsulliva]

Hello all. I'm new here, this being my first post. I own a 1995 Legacy Outback - you know, the Outback that's almost an Outback. I've been driving the car now for 2.5 years and love it. It's going strong at 128k miles and will be 100% paid off in 6.5 months.

The vehicle is outfitted with small fog lamps, made by Koito; they use H3 12v 55w bulbs. A pic can be seen here: http://38.181.236.4/~bsullivan/auto/199 ... utback.jpg Some of the markings on the housing are US 491, Japan >PET-GF30<, KOITO 114-20585, SAE PET-GF30, H3 12V55W.

Neither of the lamps are working- I removed them last night. The R one has a burned out bulb (simple replacement; done) and the L one is, well... . Along the line someone replaced a bulb in this unit and did not screw the rear cap back on properly; one of the three tabs was unseated and water seeped in. I assume the bulb subsequently popped or something, with the water seeping in and out, because when I opened the rear cap up, the entire thing was coated with a white powder and lots of corrosion. The worst thing is that the glass lenses inside are coated with this sort of 'baked-on' white powder. The unit is sealed (silicone seal between the glass front piece and the rear plastic piece - I can't get it apart) and the glass surfaces inside are inaccesable.

My question is this - can anyone recommend an industrial strength cleaner or some unusual process that I might try to clean this white coating off of the internal glass surfaces? Again, the real problem is that I can't get at it to scrub it. I swished hot soapy water in it all last night and removed about 20% of the grime. I am looking to keep the costs as low as possible, with the ultimate outcome possibly replacing the unit itself (This may be the best route). I visited Advance Auto Parts last night and checked out a new set of Hella lamps at $60. This is way over the amount I'm willing to spend right now.

One might ask why I didn't do this earlier when the lamp wasn't so fogged up? Well, I've only recently become interested in upgrading / caring for my car, and now I'm crazy about it. I don't have a LOT of mechanical experience, but I'm learning. I love this BBS and reading the posts is great! My work productivitiy is headed down the tubes, but I'm learning lots about my Subaru!

THANKS

- Ben

[magicmike]

Try pouring some alcohal in there,that might help. Your probably going to have to remove that glass from the housing. I know that headlight glass is held in with some gunk that will release its bond when given enough heat (ie a heat gun). I'd try that next.

Good Luck, Mike

[ciper]

HEY, this is not your forum!

[vrg3]

I think it's a similar fog light design to the ones overseas Legacy/Liberty RSes had though, so it's almost relevant...

Ben, like Mike said, you can probably open the light up by heating the adhesive until it's soft. I disassembled a headlight by putting it in a 200-degree oven for about 10 minutes or so (checking every minute after the first three) and was able to just pull it apart.

You might try some strong acid to clean the glass up... I don't know what it would do to the plastic though so test it out on a small area first. The CLR (Calcium/Lime/Rust) stuff they sell at hardware stores and even K-Mart is pretty strong. You could maybe try brake cleaner or another aerosol solvent too.

You could also try sticking something in there with some gentle grit to it, like dishwasher detergent (the kind for the machine, not for hand washing) or even Comet or Soft Scrub. Without the ability to rub it in you'll only get so far though.

[bsulliva]

Not my forum? Why not? Are you saying that because my car has the "Outback" designation that it's technically not a "Legacy"? Well, I would say this - in 1995 the Outback was more of a trim package for the Legacy than a model out on its own. I.e. Legacy, Legacy L, Legacy GT, Legacy Outback. There was no "Subaru Outback" until it became so in 1996 and on, as far as I know. Inside and out my 1995 Legacy Outback is virtually identical to other Legacy's of its class.

See:

http://www.cars101.com/subaru_legacy_ar ... cy/outback

"1995 was the first re-design for the Legacy, with all new body, front and rear ends/grill/lights, dashboard, new suspension, longer and wider wheelbase etc and was the first year for the Legacy Outback model...."

"1995 Legacy Outback was an 'Active Safety Group' L model with lower grey accent, 15" 5-spoke alloy wheels, mud flaps, roof rack, projector-beam fog lights, upgraded woven cloth, cargo area power outlet, cargo hook and cargo tray, and had the same suspension and ground clearance as the L model."

"It did not have the rasied roof-line, that was new for the 1996 model. 1996 was the first year for the real Outback that became so popular."

Again, I love this forum.

- Ben

[vrg3]

Well, it's not that your car's an Outback but rather that it's a 1995. This message board is about BC/BF chassis Legacies (the body style pictured in the logo).

A good place for discussing later-model Legacies is the Legacy forum on NASIOC.

[STi_GUY]

It's simple really. All you need to do is buy a legacy turbo and you're set .

[Legacy777]

Anyone can hang around......most of the people on here are rather versed in many things technical.......and aren't year specific.

But most of the posting is/should be about the first gen legacies.

[bsulliva]

List,

My apologies. I couldn't find the appropriate FAQ and am not that familar with the first gen Legacies. THANK YOU for setting me straight! Now... off I go to hunt down a '94 Turbo.

Ben

[teaguespeed]

atta kid.

[STi_GUY]

Right on!...... I could really use a turbo......someday....*sigh*

[ciper]

bsulliva: Get a 91 turbo, they are the best year.