nvigor8

i've noticed recently that there is moistur in the right taillight of my 8, any idea of the cause and how to fix it.

dillsrotary

do a search, it is a common recall, the dealer will replace it under warranty

irq5

Hey nvigor8 - Nice to see someone else from SA.

I've had the same problem with the lights - the dealers here in SA are not as forthcoming as the dealers in the states. I asked the dealership and they say they can't do anything abou it.

I did however fix mine quite easily - The rubber seal between the body and the light cluster gets quite dirty and I think it's the dirt that causes most of the problem.

Basically I just removed the light cluseter - quite easy - if you need help or explanation how, just let me know - cleaned off the seal and the body area where the rubber seals the light cluster to the body, and replaced. Haven't had the moisture since...

Hope this helps...

sleeperx8

that's really odd.. i had the same problem and got it replaced under warranty with no problems.

then again, I'm in CA... but I don't see how different states should have differing policies.

jstkilntim

SA=South Africa. Could be different.

kw1k

I had the same problem , take it to your local dealer. They will have it replaced for free under your warrenty.

DOMINION

^Cool. I have this prob in my Driver side tail light.

nu2rx8

Thanks for the info... this just started happening in my drivers side taillight as well.

tiggerlee

While I've never had water in the taillights I did notice a few weeks ago that when washing it with cold water from the hose I noticed condensation inside the lights. It's been pretty humid here lately and with the heat that get trapped in the trunk area I didn't think too much about it. It went away about a half an hour later. If it comes back again I may ask the dealer about it.

phat8

embaressing driving round like that. believe it or not with enough pressure, debating and things said, i managed to get mine replaced under warranty!

rx8frank

Here is what I did....

I had the same problem too (condensation and water in the tail light).

The problem was the seal of the tail light didn't contact everywhere on the frame of the car at some places. And at those places when it rained the water would go in the tail light.
I got tired of changing it so this is what I did (did work for me).

I removed my tail light
I took some petroleom jelly ( yes! Vasoline) and put it on the back of the tail light. Put the jelly all the way on the seal of the tail light, why??? Read after.

After doing this take your tail light and place it back to your car but this time push on your tail light (not too hard) just enough for the vasoline to mark itself on the frame of the car. Remove your tail light again and look where the seal didn't contact the frame (no vaseline mark on the frame).

If there is some spot the frame where the vaseline didn't leave a trace well you're problem is right there!!

From the inside of the trunk place a block of wood behind the missing vaseline spot and GENTLY hit the piece of wood with a hammer once or twice to push the frame back to its place.

Try your tail light again on your car, push it again against the frame and remove the tail light to see if this time the seal made contact with the frame at that spot.

If not, repeat until it make seal contact to the frame. After that you will not have any problem with water or condensation again!! It work for me.

Frank.

rx8rotary

Just had mine replaced under warranty 3 weeks ago.

Bob

rotor_man

they have redesigned the gasket on the back of the taillight just order one from your mazda dealer if you are not under warranty problem solved. i messed around for ages before doing this. the gasket isn't cheap for a bit of foam but no more taking the light out to drain out water

Dagious

Had moisture in the right rear about three weeks ago (before it got colder than S&*T here in Michigan) and the dealer took a look and said, I guess well replace both!

Sesi Mazda outside of Detroit is great...

andreasy

I have the same in the left light. How can I remove the gasket? (Please try to explain in simple language because I don't know the English terms)

RotrDoc

Open the trunk, remove the plastic cover on the trunk sill and peel back the carpet over the inside of the taillight assembly. Disconnect the light connectors (either now or later) by giving a 1/8 turn and pulling out. Remove two hex-head bolts holding the tailllight assembly to the car (all of this is done inside the trunk.

Then pull the taillight assembly free from the car body from the outside.

That's all. Reasemble in reverse.

theboy

ya i had experienced this before. this is a design failure by mazda i guess, they design so the water go through between the tail light. so when the spongy sealant on the tail light, receive enough hot air from the exhaust , going in from the drain/hole (thats how u can kill yourself if u stay inside the car idle too long).

its easy to fix it,
open the back trunk,
open up the clips in near the light,
take off the carpet,
take off the taillight, on the passanger side i presume.
vacuum or dry the tail light,
glue the back of the sealant plastic with some liquid sealant following the shape of the oem sealant.
put it back.

SomeGuy_sg

what sealant did you use, theboy ?