rotarydrifter

iTrader: (2)

really holes? i just took mine off and let it air out and when it was dry i made a better foam gasket tape! and no condensation since then...







buy here:
http://www.iaqsource.com/product.php...product=112227

rotarydrifter

iTrader: (2)

really cheap fix without hacking up your taillight for little spiders to live in there haha

Wrathre

Interesting. I'm going to have to pull mine off here shortly and attempt to fix the gasket (it rained for weeks it seems down in GA, caused mine to become a small lake). I may attempt removing the excess gasket and see what happens, will post results.

bleh

i was wondering if anyone has also had this problem with their headlights?
also, if i don't get this problem fixed right away, will it cause severe damage to the lights?

Slick8

Some pics for you

water and dirt runs directly from the truck lid drainage channel into the gasket seam


Water and dirt collect into a pocket at the gasket seam and erodes away the seal, see where the seal is compromised at the blue arrows


Speculation that removing the excess gasket seam would fix the problem


See blue oval and arrow, used my index finger to push away excessive dirt/debris for photo. That clump was in the seam pocket.

Slick8

This works too since there is no seam now, you are effectively making two separate gaskets. Put this on for $5.



It's Frost King black foam tape they sell at Lowes or HD, it's been 3+ years now since I put it on, no water at all, none. Just wrap around rim edge on the taillight where the gasket would seat, make sure to clean the tailllight and seat area with rubbing alcohol first. Also, make sure the seam faces down (water can not run uphill) where the tape meets up together, and butt it/bunch it up there to create a tighter seal. I used 3/4" X X 5/16" X 10'



I didn't post it because I wasn't sure that it would work and I lost the photos on a shdc card somewhere in my house. 3+ years is pretty good evidence it works.

bleh

Anyone know what it might be if i'm having the same problem with the headlights?

armyjay

i used this method, worked perfectly.drilled 2 holes in the lowest resting area of the taillight.fog was gone and hasnt come back.there may be other ways of doing this, but this method is quick, it works, and its free.

Rx8_rotory_Noobie

<3 Armyjay. Finally someone who isnt an idiot.

88 rex turboII

Foam tape from HD worked perfect on my tail lights

dmitrik4

iTrader: (5)

if you look on rosenthal mazda's site, they have a listing of all the TSBs that have been issued. the bulletin dealing with the taillight leaks has the procedure for removing the light.

BTW, i bought the redesigned gasket and installed it...better, but i still have water getting in.

BReal-10EC

Dangit! I did this today and when finished both tail covers had a crack at the top where the black thing stops. I have no idea how I did that (I was very careful)- but they must be quite fragile.

Oh- and the nuts on both my mine came off by hand- no wrench needed. They were that loose.

Butters

iTrader: (1)

I just replaced my tail light gaskets with the "new and improved" ones from Mazda. I took out the housings and spent a good hour drying them out, which was a pain in the ***. The new gaskets are indeed thicker and more LUXURIOUS. BUT! I drove to work this morning and there is already condensation inside the tail lights after just a short 10min drive. Let me be clear, though, this is condensation not rain water seeping in. I'm sure it'll rain later today so we'll see if that seeps in.

What gives?!

Should I add silicone sealant to the gaskets? Or bin the ******* $45 dollar a piece gaskets I just bought and try a roll of rubber weather stripping from Home Depot and try that instead?

*shakes fist at Mazda*

ksanders8706

Both of mine were nearly brimming with water after a spirited wash and rain storm. I searched the boards and felt wary of drilling my lenses. I've done it on beater cars before, but this one won't be tampered with in such a way. I removed both tail light assemblies and carefully peeled the old gaskets off in one piece. After removing the bulbs and having two void housings, I tried to figure out the fastest way to dry them out. I tried vacuum lines, hair dryers, regulated compressed air, but nothing worked as good as-- the oven.

After removing most of the larger deposits of water, I laid a cookie sheet in the oven with a few towels to serve as padding for the lights. After the oven reached it's lowest setting, 170F, I placed them on the towels, clear side down (light-holes facing up). I checked the lights every thirty minutes or so, wary that the plastic would become weak or the foam insulating around the LED strips would start to fail. It never happened, and I'm proud to say it was a case of set it and forget it. About an hour and a half passed and they were dry as a bone. I refreshed the old gaskets with some clear silicone adhesive and reinstalled the lights. I replaced the old nuts with new nylon lock nuts, preventing a vibratory backing as the previous nuts encountered.

I've been water/condensation free for just under a year now!

Aside from some dime lock nuts I happened to have lying around, this was free. I get the concept of drilling the holes is faster and easier, but my method allowed me to clean the trunk and enjoy a few Heinekens while waiting for my lenses to bake

armyjay

this drilling method worked great for me, now my other taillight has water in it, damn damn damn, now i gotta do the same thing to the other tail light. stupid taillights - lol

Butters

iTrader: (1)

Well, I have replaced the $90 in OEM gaskets with $5 weather stripping from Home Depot and it seems to have solved the water seepage problem. The condensation problem is still around, though. I'm waiting to see if heavy rain will still seep in, wouldn't ya know that the day after I install the weather stripping it has ceased to rain in Seattle for three days straight. What the ****?

Does anyone still get condensation in the tail lights even after your weather stripping/drilling/silicone sealant+weather stripping/silicone sealant+new gaskets?

kendall1855

Hi i have the same problem, i also have water in my boot would anybody no why this is?

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

I still have to say this. The hole method is just fine of a fix depending on where you live. If you do it on the bottom of the light, you'd never be able to tell.

kendall1855

I drilling holes in my lights today , just have to wait and see what happens now

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Exactly. After drying get the upgraded Mazda gaskets or some silicone sealant. Drilling holes is just silly.

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

The method you decide to use to repair your taillights will directly imply your character type .

rotarydrifter

iTrader: (2)

yup. thats what i thought the holes? then dirt and unnecessary things ill creep on in there.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Are we still with the drilling holes holing thing?

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Talking bad about other people you don't even know shows your character type
Its crazy to see people still like beating a dead horse in this thread.
And its sad to see people who have no real contribution to this forum post here just to attack others.
That alone shows me a person's "character type".
This is why I stayed out of this thread... the immaturity is incredible.

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

I agree with you... I think each side made their point on what they like or didn't like.
Think this thread should have been closed a long time ago.
We are getting nowhere further on this topic.