 Tail Light Leaks |
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| smooth_eddy |
 Mar 26 2005, 07:36 PM
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#1
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Senior Member  Group: Members Posts: 535 Joined: 13-November 04 From: Seattle Member No.: 3,102  |
Every time I wash my car I have a large puddle in my rear trunk. The water comes in through the tail lights. I can see gaps where the housing does not meet the body of my car very well and gaps where the red lens mates with the black plastic housing. What is the best way to seal out the water? Remove the assembly and use clear silicone?
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| markb |
Mar 26 2005, 07:54 PM
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#2
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914less :( Group: Members Posts: 5,449 Joined: 22-January 03 From: Nipomo, CA Member No.: 180 Region Association: Central California 
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I've got the same problem. I just yesterday picked up some seals for the lens to housing. I got them from GPR. I think I remember a thread here recently on them, and how to glue the ends together. DDD has in the past given nice directions on how to seal the housing to body.
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| ChrisFix |
Mar 26 2005, 08:05 PM
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 173 Joined: 3-March 05 From: Chapel Hill, NC Member No.: 3,707 |
The lens housing to car body is where most of the leaking occurs. Run a bead of black sealant on the mating surface of the car or along the gasket of the housing and reinstall the housing for a leak proof seal. The sheet metal shape and the gasket thickness conspire to leak on just about everyones cars without some help from additional sealant.
The taillight lens to housing seal is easily replaced. AA has a good repro seal that is cheap that I just installed, but I don't know what GPR has. |
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| anthony |
Mar 26 2005, 08:16 PM
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#4
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2270 club Group: Benefactors Posts: 3,107 Joined: 1-February 03 From: SF Bay Area, CA Member No.: 218  |
Be careful when gluing the housings to the body of the car with RTV or silicone. You may never get them off again!
I'd recommend making a body seal with RTV. I'd put it on the housing and then let it set up some. I'd also use some kind of release agent on the body of the car - maybe talc or vaseline or both? |
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| smooth_eddy |
Mar 26 2005, 08:20 PM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 535 Joined: 13-November 04 From: Seattle Member No.: 3,102 |
What is DDD and GPR? Also, I have never had any problem removing something glued (or sealed with silicone). Why black instead of clear? Eddy
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| scotty914 |
Mar 26 2005, 08:25 PM
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#6
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suby torque rules Group: Members Posts: 1,525 Joined: 20-July 03 From: maryland, the land of 25 year Member No.: 924 |
i used duct seal, stays soft somewhat sticky, and is gray. it blends in nicely and is easy to get off. costs about 3 bucks at HD.
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| TheCabinetmaker |
Mar 26 2005, 08:26 PM
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#7
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I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,300 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
I think he meant DD. Dave Darling at Pelican Parts.
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| Engman |
Mar 26 2005, 08:28 PM
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#8
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Zoisite Group: Benefactors Posts: 1,349 Joined: 25-March 03 From: New Albany, IN Member No.: 475 |
I went to the local RV place and got some grey sealing putty - made some rolled beads around where it sits - screwed it on - and scrapped off the excess. Cannot tell it is there. Sounds a lot like the HD stuff.
M |
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| GWN7 |
Mar 26 2005, 08:32 PM
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#9
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King of Road Trips Group: Members Posts: 6,280 Joined: 31-December 02 From: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Member No.: 56 Region Association: Northstar Region |
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| smooth_eddy |
Mar 26 2005, 08:34 PM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 535 Joined: 13-November 04 From: Seattle Member No.: 3,102 |
I do have duct seal. It just seems like a silicone bead would be so much simpler. Also, is there supposed to be a rubber gasket b/t the red lens and the black housing?
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| ChrisFix |
Mar 26 2005, 09:58 PM
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#11
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Member Group: Members Posts: 173 Joined: 3-March 05 From: Chapel Hill, NC Member No.: 3,707 |
There is a gasket that sits in the channel of the lens to seal the housing from the elements. I just replaced my left side housing because it was corroded beyond repair from the lens leaking without the seal. I just installed the repro seals from Auto Atlanta ($15), and they worked find for this. Their seal is just a stip on foam "cord" that sits in the channel and is a nice density for compression. Seems to work well. No more turn-signal quiting after every bump in the road. |
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