Majek

Hey guys, I noticed one of my tail lights has water inside, so there is some leak. I first noticed it after a touchless carwash.

How do I remove the tail light assembly so I can inspect it and dry out the water?
What's the best way to seal the hole (if there is one) causing the leak?

Thanks.

XxGoKoUxX

It's a straining procedure, remove the rear carpet panels, unbolt your taillights, bake the taillights, remove the glue and reglue again.

SoCal_450h

iTrader: (14)

I don't think bake procedure will work, they're plastic welded..

Majek

The leak is caused by a separation of the seal at the top of the light. This happened during the brutal winter we had. I think it might have to do with the pressure I applied a couple of times to get the frozen ice off the tail light

It's dry now. I think I will apply clear silicone at the top. I could also use a heat gun and open up the light to clean off a few water stains.

XxGoKoUxX

WTH? I thought they were like the headlights, glued on... LOL you learn something new everyday!

Don't think you can do that if it's plastic welded... I did light googling, and "ultrasonic welding" is not undoable, you might have to just bite the bullet and epoxy/clear silicone over it.

GL!

Majek

That sucks if they cannot be separated.

Do we have evidence that the tail lights are permanently plastic welded? Has anyone taken apart the tail light?

BinaryJay

I would just wait for a very hot sunny day, park it in the sun, let it evaporate out and then run a bead of silicone around it where you can and trim off anything visible after. I would not have the patience to do a perfect job of removing it etc.

XxGoKoUxX

He wants to remove the residue left in the lens of the taillight, which sucks

dicer

Silicone will not last. I'd use a clear 2 part epoxy instead.