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Pretreat New Tail Light Gaskets?
Just got my new set of tail light (and center section) gaskets (or packing as Subaru calls them) and I wonder if I should treat them with anything special prior to installation. Silicone, Dr. Pepper, tar, prayer...
I also want to clean the inside of the lenses as they have had water/moisture leak into them from above (I could see exactly where the old gaskets failed). Has anyone done this with any satisfaction? I know they cannot be taken apart, so I was thinking of using a solution of uncooked rice and soapy water for a quick internal scrub (and much rinsing). I'd be happy to substitute something for the rice if anyone can think of something small like that which would act as a scrubber without being stronger than the plastic. Jerry |
#2
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Re: Pretreat New Tail Light Gaskets?
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Randy Johnson 3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001 First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet Subaru Ambassador 1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k 1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles 2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles 2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles "Reading is my favorite Holiday" Mike Davis -- at Reading VI |
#3
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I have new gaskets on the way too! (wow subaruparts.com has been busy, You, Earl, me, all ordering new gaskets in the last couple weeks! ) I eagerly await any advice as well....
Also I was wondering, will the new gaskets fix the problem, or should something be done to seal around the edges of the lenses too? You know where the red and black are joined together? It seems like I can almost see through the cracks where the clips are, but all I've ever heard on here is new gaskets. Is that enough?
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Troy 1992 SVX LSL "Serenity" 250,000 miles! I don't care, I'm still free, You can't take the sky from me... |
#4
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Once I replaced the gaskets on the tail lights, I've had "zero" problems with condensation. I need to replace the center panel gasket, though (wasn't condensing when I bought the others). I did not treat the gaskets with anything. Just make sure you don't tighten them too much, or you'll cut them like cookies. Of course, some have placed electrical tape around the seams -- others have used silicone sealer. You may need nothing. I'd replace the gaskets, then, IF condensation begins to return, I'd treat the seams with some silicone sealer, but, that's just me.
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Randy Johnson 3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001 First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet Subaru Ambassador 1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k 1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles 2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles 2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles "Reading is my favorite Holiday" Mike Davis -- at Reading VI |
#5
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Re: Pretreat New Tail Light Gaskets?
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Kelli |
#6
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<<about the leakage in your lights, putting holes in the bottom for drainage works great. i had that done and what is left of the moisture is evaporated from the heat of the lights. you can't see the holes. hopefully this won't cause a problem later, but for right now, it works great!>>
I did that about 6 years ago when I thought I was the only person with an SVX (Pre Yahoo club days). It worked great, but after a few years, you will have to clean out the holes because they get dust caught in them, then it gets damp and it turns to mud and eventually plugs the holes. Last summer I threw away the stock gaskets and cleaned the lights and trunk panel. Then I applied Silicone to the lights in place of the gasket and installed them. That has cleared up the problem for now. I also cleaned the weep holes I made years ago so they will function again. Doug
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1992 LS Touring (6/91) - Currently undergoing a five speed swap Black over Claret with spoiler; 235,000 miles; Mods: 2002 Legacy 5 speed, ACT Pressure Plate, Excedy Clutch, Short Throw Shifter, Aussie Powerchip 1992 LS Touring (6/91) Black over Claret with 2.5" setback spoiler; 202,000 miles; Mods: B&M Cooler 1994 LSi (4/93) Bordeaux Pearl; 198,000 miles; Mods: Weight reduction. 1969 Mustang GT Convertible 1970 Mustang Convertible 2000 Ford Excursion Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua. My Locker |
#7
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I got new gaskets, cleaned the lights, and put them back on. The car was dirty, so I washed it and - yep - had water in the lights again. I took them off of the car, and the water poured out of them, so it wasn't just a little like condensation. I have dried them, and put them back on and will see what happens next. I have come to the conclusion that if I keep the car in the garage and drive it only on sunny days, I won't have as many problems with water. ha I tried not tightening the nuts as much this time, and if this does not work, I might use the old gasket and new gasket together and see what happens.
Earl (looking for my California duster)
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#8
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Gaskets Installed, notes
So I put the new gaskets, or "packing" as Subaru calls them. I replaced rear left and right and center lens gaskets. I could clearly see where the water had been coming through on both tail lights and in the center section. I cleaned the all the surfaces and reinstalled everything. Much tighter with new gaskets.
I also noticed I only had used two screws to put my license plate on with, and wondered if the bottom two holes would let water in while I was high pressure spraying it. While doing that I see that the license plate lights have no gaskets where they join the body. Yep, they just free float there. There is a rubber gasket, but it is to seal the light, not the body. I am going to replace both the lights and then seal it with silicone from the inside. I guess I should have looked at the LED brake lamp gasket while I was doing all this. If it has a gasket, anyone have the part #. I am going to give it the carwash test tomorrow (since it is supposed to rain soon). Jerry |
#9
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Re: Gaskets Installed, notes
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Jerry, The parts book lists upper and lower gaskets for the assy. Upper -- 84940PA090 Lower -- 84940PA100
__________________
Randy Johnson 3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001 First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet Subaru Ambassador 1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k 1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles 2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles 2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles "Reading is my favorite Holiday" Mike Davis -- at Reading VI |
#10
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No grease with the packing?
Hey Randy
Thanks for the numbers. Those little units are more expensive than four of the other larger gaskets. What kind of a world are we living in? $30 for those, I think I'll see if they leak. But I'll have to wait a few days as it is snowing right now. Thanks again for the numbers, Jerry |
#11
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Re: No grease with the packing?
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Yeah, those little gasket dealies are rather expensive. I'm considering buying up old wet suits and using my old gaskets as patterns to cut new ones. I could sell at half the price and still make some darned good money, dontcha think?
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Randy Johnson 3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001 First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet Subaru Ambassador 1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k 1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles 2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles 2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles "Reading is my favorite Holiday" Mike Davis -- at Reading VI |
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