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Tail light has water

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Old Apr 18, 2014 | 04:50 PM
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Default Tail light has water

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.
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Old Apr 19, 2014 | 12:43 AM
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It's a straining procedure, remove the rear carpet panels, unbolt your taillights, bake the taillights, remove the glue and reglue again.
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Old Apr 19, 2014 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by XxGoKoUxX
It's a straining procedure, remove the rear carpet panels, unbolt your taillights, bake the taillights, remove the glue and reglue again.
I don't think bake procedure will work, they're plastic welded..
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Old May 7, 2014 | 02:33 PM
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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.


Last edited by Majek; May 7, 2014 at 02:38 PM.
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Old May 7, 2014 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by SoCal_450h
I don't think bake procedure will work, they're plastic welded..
WTH? I thought they were like the headlights, glued on... LOL you learn something new everyday!

Originally Posted by 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.

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!
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Old May 8, 2014 | 01:15 PM
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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?
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Old May 8, 2014 | 06:27 PM
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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.
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Old May 8, 2014 | 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 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.
He wants to remove the residue left in the lens of the taillight, which sucks
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Old Mar 8, 2015 | 12:37 AM
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Silicone will not last. I'd use a clear 2 part epoxy instead.
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