SVX Network Forums Live Chat! SVX or Subaru Links Old Lockers Photo Post How-To Documents Message Archive SVX Shop Search |
IRC users: |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Moisture in taillights - confused about the fix
I have moisture in my right rear taillight. I also had moisture in the headlights, and I used silicone sealant to cure that - it worked wonderfully. I took the taillights off, expecting to do the same thing, but I found some interesting stuff.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...light+moisture http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...light+moisture I see where the hole-drilling fix is mentioned, and one of the former owners was a member here, so that mystery is solved. But I have holes and I still have moisture, so I'm still looking for a better fix. And the threads above have me a bit confused. Are folks taking the taillights off, then sealing the taillight-assembly-to-body area using various means? Or are they taking the taillights off, then taking them apart, and sealing the taillight assembly itself using various means? Or both? Thanks in advance for your help. The taillights are my last step prior to putting the SVX back on the road for the first time in over a year, so I'm pretty pumped.
__________________
1995 Caterham 7 Twincam 2002 Porsche 911 targa -- now with FSI 4.0L power! 2007 BMW 328i Cabriolet 2012 Tacoma 4wd v6 Access Cab 2013 Mercedes E350 4Matic Wagon 2005 STi - totaled after 10 great years 1994 SVX LSi 5spd - sold but not forgotten 2000 Legacy GT 5spd sedan - gone after 150K miles of bliss |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Moisture in taillights - confused about the fix
New gaskets would be a proper fix.
__________________
David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Moisture in taillights - confused about the fix
i had a similar problem and made some new gaskets to fix the leak between the body and the lights , one problem cured.
then realized while washing the car that it was actually the seal in the taillights that had presumably disintegrated so i got some cheap brand little tube of silicon and carefully squeezed it into the gap between the red bit and black bit on the top half of the lights now they dont get water in them you can only notice the silicon if you look very closely but i plan on slightly tinting the lights so it will be even less visible |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Moisture in taillights - confused about the fix
+1
I used standard black RTV over the seals between the body and the gasket and it kept water from pooling in the spare tire well as well as eliminated the condensation in the tail lights themselves. (I heated up the tail light assemblies to get them apart so they could dry properly first as well.) |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Moisture in taillights - confused about the fix
It looks like the answer is 'both'. In addition it looks like the proper answer is 'new gaskets everywhere'. If my car were in better shape I'd definitely be going the proper route, but it's pretty well worn so I think I'll use schmutz.
I also had a hard time getting all of the moisture out of the lights. I put them in the oven on top of our pizza stone (after I washed them thoroughly - one must always keep the wife happy ), set the oven controls on 'Warm' and 'Bake', and sat down with a beer and a Top Gear rerun. Presto.
__________________
1995 Caterham 7 Twincam 2002 Porsche 911 targa -- now with FSI 4.0L power! 2007 BMW 328i Cabriolet 2012 Tacoma 4wd v6 Access Cab 2013 Mercedes E350 4Matic Wagon 2005 STi - totaled after 10 great years 1994 SVX LSi 5spd - sold but not forgotten 2000 Legacy GT 5spd sedan - gone after 150K miles of bliss |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Moisture in taillights - confused about the fix
Just FYI, the "Packing" for the rear lamps only runs about $10 for both sides, plus shipping. Here is listing from subaruparts.com:
Quantity Part # Description List Unit Price Price 2 84940PA001 Packing $6.40 $4.88 $9.76 ships in 4-10 bus days A common mistake is to tighten the nuts that secure them too tightly, cutting through the rubber, defeating the purpose. Why not do it right? I would plug the holes drilled previously, silicone around the top and replace the packing. Glenn
__________________
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Aaron Burke 1993 25th Anniversary Edition #63 of 301. R.I.P. Rojo 7/24/2008 She saved my life! 1997 Ebony Mica Pearl LSI. BLACKBERRY 1998 5-Spd Legacy GT Wagon in Glacier White: NUBURU 2005 Cadillac STS in Sandstorm Metallic: STORMY Veteran and farthest traveler of 1st SoCal2MuseumsMeet2010. http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/user.php?RojoRocket |
|
|