Sealing tail lights - water leak

[Dave C]

OK guys ... this discussion has been very helpful.

I did some investigation this evening with a hose and paper towels, but
doing it solo with no one locked in the trunk ... :-)

It appears the water is coming in around the lock in the center of the trunk
lid.  I found that place leaking once before and since I had already
replaced that seal, I thought it couldn't be leaking there.  But it is.  And
it's surprising how much water can seep through such a little space.  The
"rubber" seal appears to be intact, but apparently has shrunk over time.
That's why each time I re-seal the tail lights the leak appears to be
getting worse ... the rubber seal is getting more dried out each time.

I'll try smearing some sealant goop around the seal and see if that fixes
the problem ... maybe an appropriate thing would be Permatex® Black Silicone
Adhesive Sealant, which I happen to have on the shelf.
http://www.permatex.com/products/automotive/adhesives_sealants/sealants/Permatex_Black_Silicone_Adhesive_Sealant_b.htm


I'll also try ordering a new seal, and see whether they are still available,
looks like p/n 161827527

Dave C.


On Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 5:59 PM, Tony Hoffman <auditony at gmail.com> wrote:

> Mark, I was LMAO at this one!! I might have one or two of those
> (disgruntled, that is). Would love to lock her in the trunk, oops, did I say
> that?
>
> Dave, I misread the original post, I guess. I was thinking the outer
> taillights were leaking, not the ones on the trunklid. You are right on
> target. Also, check the spot where the bolts hold the center are under the
> license plate. Those need some butyl as well.
>
> Tony
>
> On Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 2:48 PM, Mark Rosenkrantz <
> speedracer.mark at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Step #1; put lock carrier into service position
>> Special tools required; flashlight, paper towels (Audi special towels are
>> NLA), beer, and hose with water source.
>>
>> Lock yourself in the trunk with flashlight and towels.  Use a friend (paid
>> in beer) to soak the trunk with the hose.  Hopefully they will also let you
>> out.  Note; wives and disgruntled girlfriends are a bad choice here, unless
>> you volunteer them for trunk duty, in which case you get to drink the beer!
>
>