[earleb]

It was easy to remove the front headlight assy but I need your help to open the unit so that I can clean the dirt, frosting etc from the inside plastic. It is bad enough to reduce the strength of the light beam.

Thank you.

 

[88 E5PR1T]

That's not easy or recommended. The headlight assembly is sealed to be (or supposed to be) waterproof. Best to replace it. Is it under warranty?

 

[earleb]

That's not easy or recommended. The headlight assembly is sealed to be (or supposed to be) waterproof. Best to replace it. Is it under warranty?

Rob,

Both my 2003 Regal headlights operate perfectly. The problem is within the plastic lenses. They are becomming fogged up with something that is reducing the light output.

There are shops that will clear this up but I'm not going to pay $100 when I should be able to do the job myself.

You may be right about them being sealed but they definitely don't appear like our older seal beams...

Do you have any suggestions?

Earle

 

[88 E5PR1T]

Understood, no one even uses "sealed beams" anymore, what I mean is your entire headlight assembly (the entire thing) is a sealed unit that is made to keep water out. People usually open them up to remove the amber reflector, or spray the chrome pieces black, or in your case remove fogging from the clear plastic.

This usually involves heating up the headlight assembly in an oven to loosen the glue, and then prying it apart. The tough part is putting it all back together and making sure your new seal is watertight.

Best to buy a new headlight assembly:
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Buick Regal Right Headlight OEM | eBay
TYC 1997-2002 2003 2004 BUICK REGAL HEADLIGHT L/H 97-04 | eBay

Careful though, some on eBay are OEM and some are aftermarket replacements.

 

[Buick_R]

The best way of doing this /safetest without buring your headlights is using a head gun and heat up the seal and pry open the headlights slowly.

Also the best way to re-seal them is to heat gun it again and remove all the gunk, then use new sealant to re-seal the headlights.

Tons of honda guys do it and other guys with older cars, the lenses tend to haze and then people polish the plastic.