Water In The Tailights

[RBwhatever]

I've somehow got water into my indicator and reverse tailights (from rain or from washing the car). Just wondering if there was an easy way to get the water out? Sometimes it fogs up from the inside. The water just stays there as you can see a small pool at the bottom of the light (probably won't see that in the picture).

Thanks..

[hayden49]

yeah mine does that too mate, im not to worried about it, probably just another desgin flaw or fualty seal.

[gsxr33]

Yep have the same problem on my 33. I took the spare tyre out and found a nice puddle too. Skylines have been suffering from this since the R31. I tried a weather seal to no avail. Will prolly silicone the bastards up like I did with my 31.

[RBwhatever]

I took the lining off behind the lights and took the bulbs out, i tried to dry it out with a heatgun. It probably would of worked but it would take an eternity(and probably ruin the plastic too from the heat). I was given a suggestion to drill a small hole in the corner of the lenses....but I don't want to do that. I might try to shove a rag or something in there next time and try to soak it up.

It's a bit of a bummer.

[blu3chip]

Lol mine has the exact same problem too. A friend has suggested to drill a small hole at the bottom to let the water flow out. What do you guys think about that?

[RBwhatever]

Lol mine has the exact same problem too. A friend has suggested to drill a small hole at the bottom to let the water flow out. What do you guys think about that?

I don't like the idea of drilling holes into my car..... plus by drilling a hole it'll probably make an entrance for dust and dirt to get inside the tailight, then it'll be even more of a pain to clean out :

[michael87]

yeh I had a leaky tail light (water would fill up in the indicator), i tried sealing it but that didn’t work so i ended up drilling a hole (closest to the boot) in the bottom. Haven’t had water in the boot since. I wasn’t too keen on drilling a hole either, but then again i wasn’t too keen in having water in the boot which would eventually lead to a rusty boot. As for the inside of the light getting dust and dirt haven’t had any problems. The indicator was slightly water damaged in the first place (slightly darker) but it’s hardly noticeable.

-michael

[rocketboy]

Had this problem after car came back from panel beaters for minor rear end damage. They had'nt sealed them up properly.

I proceded to take them off and fix it myself with a tube of silicon sealer.

The key is to ensure all the old sealant is off and both the light and car surface are fully cleaned of old sealent, with something like myths or grease and wax remover. When you run the fresh sealant bead onto the light, use plenty so that the surface of the sealant sits quite high. This will helps it seal nicely when mounting to car.

Now, there are two bolts, in between and above and below the two afterburners on each tail light unit (mounting side!). Make sure your silicon bead runs inside these two bolts, so your bead sorta looks like a figure 8 as opposed to ab oval. Also from memory there are thin rubber washers on each bolt, presumably to seal them from water, make sure you get new ones if need be. I would also put the sealer "join" at the bottom, just in case it sets with a minute gap, perhaps put a bit extra down there.

If anyone wants pics of the back of the light unit let me know so I can post up. Otherwise, this is an easy job that should be done in less than a day, getting all the old sealant off can be a bitch though.

[rocketboy]

Just thought I'd add that I did this about 3 years ago, and haven't had any leaking issues at all since. And you can tip excess water out when unit is removed, put in hot water cupboard with light sockets pointing up overnight, all condensation/drops should evaporate fairly quickly.

[drewr33]

One of my indicators has the same problem but its due to a small crack in the lens... can you replace just the lens or do you need the whole assembley with the break lights too? or can someone repair the crack?

[RBwhatever]

I might take the easy way out and drill a hole in it then.

I've tried to take the whole assembly out but the sealant is holding it on like something stupid, I'll end up breaking it.

Drewr33, I haven't heard of anyone that can repair cracks in plastic, i'd say you'd be in for a new lens (if they're available as a seperate part, I'm not sure). Please correct me if i'm wrong.

Thanks for the reply's guys

[blu3chip]

I guess I'll do the same as soon as I get my hands on a drill. Hope I don't drill too big of a hole. Lol.

I'll be slightly off topic but does anyone know what I can use to remove double-sided tapes on rubber as I just removed the window visors which came with the car. Currently they're just stuck there looking ugly as ever.

[RBwhatever]

I guess I'll do the same as soon as I get my hands on a drill. Hope I don't drill too big of a hole. Lol.

I'll be slightly off topic but does anyone know what I can use to remove double-sided tapes on rubber as I just removed the window visors which came with the car. Currently they're just stuck there looking ugly as ever.

You could use turps. It'll softens up double side and gets it off really well. Just do whats recommended and try it on the rubber in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn't eat the rubber. I'm pretty definite it won't hurt the rubber, just don't rub on clear plastic (it fogs it up really well....permanantly).

[blu3chip]

You could use turps. It'll softens up double side and gets it off really well. Just do whats recommended and try it on the rubber in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn't eat the rubber. I'm pretty definite it won't hurt the rubber, just don't rub on clear plastic (it fogs it up really well....permanantly).

Pardon me but what are turps are where would I be able to get them?

[hayden49]

I think he is reffering to mineral turpentine.

[GIGOLO]

I had this problem with my last car, fixed by taking the tail light off and fixing back with silcone.

If you dont like the idea of silicone Reco sell a rubber silicone which is softer and more like to original sealant.

[RBwhatever]

I think he is reffering to mineral turpentine.

Right on the money

[michael87]

isnt that black silicon type stuff that seals the tail light to the body sikaflex?

[RBwhatever]

isnt that black silicon type stuff that seals the tail light to the body sikaflex?

I've heard if you do use sikaflex(however you spell it), it'll seal up whatever your sealing good, but it'll be next to impossible to remove that unit again.

[blu3chip]

another noob question, where can i get mineral turpentine?