Skip navigation

Who has tail lights that dont leak? Plz Help.

Post

Back to the top

Who has tail lights that dont leak? Plz Help.

This is doing my head in.
I bought a brand new set of original Hella tailights years ago and 1 side always leaks :(
Its not the seal around the tailight, as i have tried many things with it and even smothered the seal with silicone and it still leaks.
I have applied silicone seal all round the tailight exterior edges and areas where the lenses join but it still leaks.
Before anybody asks its def the tail light and not any other boat seal etc.
I have tried covering ever area of the boot with Talcum powder and no leak anywhere else apart from the light.
The light is filling up with water, then it fills the boot then so on.

My question is do i splash out on another original tailight for £130, do i risk buying a cheaper set only to find they do the same?
The set i have fitted are the smoked Original South African Hella ones, and i would like to replace with the same style but i can only find VW heritage as the only place that Supply them.

IS this a common problem i just have to put up with or do i splash out again?

Post

Back to the top
Ive got this on mine. The Hella one on the rights fine, but the non genuine one on the left completely fills the brake light up! On mine its leaking between the lenses (IE Where the orange plastic meets up with red, the red meets up with white and so on)

Volkswagen Golf LS (1981 X)   Austin Morris Mini HL (1981 X)  Honda Civic Type S CTDi (2009 59)   Mercedes-Benz 208D F & D Motorhome (1990 G)  Audi A2 SE (2001 X) Banner

Post

Back to the top
Its both Hella`s i have, but its only one that leaks.
AS mentioned i have sealed between every lense, maybe i need to strip out all the seal and try it again :(

Post

Back to the top
maybe try to reseal the lenses on the lights, could be they wernt stored right so have degraded. a bit of silicone smeared over them and smoothed down will probably do the trick, once dry it should rub off the glass easily

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:

VAG Documents & Downloads

You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)

Post

Back to the top
I had this issue with the one of the aftermarket ones on mine, then I removed the wash bottle right next to it and I realised it wasn't the light leaking haha

'83 Mk1 Driver - Mars Red

Post

Back to the top
This has been happening to me. Thought it was coming from the boot seal but as of today realised it was my rear passenger light! Bloody annoying!x

Post

Back to the top
Funny this should be my first post, but my left taillight is leaking to.
I've got original Hella's and I can't figure out where it is comming from, seals are looking good and fresh.
I've tightened the screws around the light to see if it helps
but I doubt it.

Sorry for bumping this old thread but I could use some tips if anyone's figured it out.

Post

Back to the top
I'm also looking for a solution to this, i have it on both rear lights, think I may go down the silicon route.

Post

Back to the top
This stuff's meant to be good:

http://www.frost.co.uk/captain-tolley-s-creeping-crack-cure-60ml.html

Not sure how it would react with the plastics but it might be worth a try?

Mk1 Golf floor mats - for tin top and cabriolet - Zero7796 17298Five

Post

Back to the top
I've had this before, I tried alls orts and couldn't stop it.  Ended up drilling a small hole in the light in the bottom corner to allow the water to drainaway out of the cluster.  A bit heath robinson but it solved the problem.

Post

Back to the top
Yeah drilling a small hole sounds like it could work,
think I will try that + some silicone here and there.
Thanks for suggestions.

Post

Back to the top
My brother ran a MK1 driver for about 10 years and the previous owner had drilled holes in the bottom of one of the rear lights, presumably to cure the same fault.

1983 Mars Red 1.8 Golf GTI
1987 Alpine White 1.8 Clipper Cabriolet

The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you are finished.
0 guests and 0 members have just viewed this: None.