I bought the 5/16" ribbon, but that was thicker than needed for my application. I cut, stretched, and rolled something closer to a 1/4" rope (vs the thicker ribbon).
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new third upper brake light, would you add a strip of silicone?
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I bought the 5/16" ribbon, but that was thicker than needed for my application. I cut, stretched, and rolled something closer to a 1/4" rope (vs the thicker ribbon).
2001LC
SILVER Star
I found some 3/8" x 15' 3M Windo-Weld Ribbon Sealer at Advance Auto. It sure looks and feels like butyl and in "directions for use" they call it butyl. I also see they recommend 3M Windo-Weld Primer PN 08643. This must be and adhesion promoter.
2001LC
SILVER Star
The 3/8" butyl was way to thick, so I ended up cutting down. A 3/16" thickness would have saved time.
I used a household roofing sealant 2300 along seam of lense to lense housing. I don't know if leak was at this point, but did sealed it anyway along top and sides.
I then added the 3/8" butyl rope to back side of third brake light. Did a test fit and quickly realized it was to thick and working/pressing in would take a long time. So I took a razor and cut it down to about 3/16". Then still spent a good deal of time pressing it in flush.
Cleaned with 3m Adhesive remover, trying to get butyl to come up to edges then ressessing back in so not create pockets to trap dirt or so high my cleaning & drying microfiber would touch during washings.
I used a household roofing sealant 2300 along seam of lense to lense housing. I don't know if leak was at this point, but did sealed it anyway along top and sides.
I then added the 3/8" butyl rope to back side of third brake light. Did a test fit and quickly realized it was to thick and working/pressing in would take a long time. So I took a razor and cut it down to about 3/16". Then still spent a good deal of time pressing it in flush.
Cleaned with 3m Adhesive remover, trying to get butyl to come up to edges then ressessing back in so not create pockets to trap dirt or so high my cleaning & drying microfiber would touch during washings.
2001LC
SILVER Star
I notice this one spot that may have been (not re-tested yet) my leak. It's where lense bonds to lense housing. As I pressed lense onto hatch to work in butyl, that spot emerged.
Once I had light seated and sured the two nut and attached the wire. I then when back and put pressure on lense again to settle butyl as much as possible. Seem slow (over time) steady pressure works best.
Once I had light seated and sured the two nut and attached the wire. I then when back and put pressure on lense again to settle butyl as much as possible. Seem slow (over time) steady pressure works best.
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@Greenbean I'm tracking down my third brake light leak and did an experiment to test your theory:
- Before removing the brakelight I confirmed the leak by removing the inside trim and hosing down the upper roof/hatch area. Lots of water dripping straight down onto my cargo carpet.
- I then removed the brakelight assembly, cleaned off the old foam gasket, covered the holes in the hatch with tape and re-soaked with the hose. No water dripping at all.
The width of the factory seal along the top edge of the light is waaaay too thin. There's only a few millimeters of overlap with the hatch metal, no wonder that it fails with age from heat cycling, etc. I'm going the butyl tape route shortly.
- Jim
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Butyl rope applied, brakelight reinstalled and everythings waterproof according to the hose test!
I applied the thick rope to the body so I could roll it thinner by laying wax paper over it and rolling it smooth. This is before rolling:
I applied the thick rope to the body so I could roll it thinner by laying wax paper over it and rolling it smooth. This is before rolling:
I have wanted to try butyl tape before,
Mine isn’t leaking and we drove through a great rain storm today.
Can you share what brand butyl tape your using there?
Glad you got it solved, I absolutely HATE HATE HATE water leaks!
Mine isn’t leaking and we drove through a great rain storm today.
Can you share what brand butyl tape your using there?
Glad you got it solved, I absolutely HATE HATE HATE water leaks!
I found my first set of drips down the center of the rear window the other day. Looks like the next step is the hose test once its not so cold out. I'm glad y'all have been able to solve this issue.
I’m not sure of the brand I bought, but it’s all pretty much the same, chemically. ~$15 gets you as much as you’ll likely ever need from Amazon, just choose the size you want. I think 1/4” would be appropriate for the brake light seal area. Amazon.com: butyl rope
Y’know, if I had to do it again I’d apply the rope to the roof like in my above pic, then heat it up with a heat gun before pressing on the brake light and tightening the nuts. The cold butyl is pretty solid and if you’re too forceful you could crack the light while seating it and tightening the nuts. Perhaps heated butyl would deform easier with less risk of cracking the light. Just a thought.
Mine didn't fit well with large gaps all around and the light didn't work. Other than that it's a great deal... OEM
@Dockofthebay THANKS, that's what I was afraid of. I ordered a genuine one from PartsSouq UAE, $150 including shipping ($50 cheaper than I could find it anywhere else...)
I think I'll try the butyle tape, even with the new genuine double stick foam gasket...
I think I'll try the butyle tape, even with the new genuine double stick foam gasket...
Just ordered a new light that came in today. It has the factory foam seal that I'm considering augmenting with a silicone rtv gasket on the body side. I don't want there to be any unintended consequences by using the two materials together. Does anyone see an issue with this?
I'm bringing this thread back with a slightly different but certainly related issue. No problem removing the 3rd brake lens assembly; where exactly do I find the electrical connection /plug? Seems so far that yanking out the rubber-gasketed-plug into the window frame is not helpful.
you have to remove the trim from the upper part of the inside of the hatch. the plug is under there
Thanks! I finally did get the nerve to snap that trim piece loose. Found out that OEM vs. Chinese knockoff would have been the better choice (mounting studs a tad off, wiring plug...well...gonna be hard-wiring that). Live and learn...
Where did you find this for $145? I can't find it cheaper than $200+.
