Rear bubl changer post boot leak fix...

coolasacucumber · 19th February 2013, 08:46

Previous owner had the rear lights siliconed in to stop water ingress.

The bot still gets pretty wet after a down pour, so it's either not worked (there are plenty of gaos in the silicone...), or it is leaking from somewhere else.

I am faced with needing to change the passenger side rear brake light.

Am I correct in asuming that I need to cut through the silicone to access it?

I have disconnected the plug, but it seems that the only way to remove the bulb housing is to cut through it...

Any advice greatly appreciated!

coolasacucumber · 19th February 2013, 08:56

An dplease excuse my bad spelling, fingers are not working properly from working outside on the car on this beautiful but freezing morning!

MrDoodles · 19th February 2013, 09:02

Remove both rear lamp clusters, thoroughly clean off any silicone that's left behind, fit two new rear lamp gaskets, available here http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-XFH100401 remove the boot side inner trims and remove the rear most fixing for the side moulding trim and silicon up the slot in the wing and replace fixing and washer and make sure that it's tight!

Remove the boot carpet and dry (next to a heated towel rail in your bathroom is ideal) and leave out until you've had some more rain and checked for leaks!

If leak cured, replace boot carpet and enjoy a dry boot, if not, investigate further, which would then be either the rear window leaking, or the lower boot vents.

Let us know how you get on!

coolasacucumber · 19th February 2013, 10:04

Thank you very much for the advice!

Just removed the ofending rear light, and it seems that my judgement of the silicone was wrong - it was very, very well packed in. I don't think it could have been leaking through there.

I'm going to check the other side.

One problem - I replaced the brake light that was out (not with a new bulb, but a spare bulb from a redundant fog light on another car, same bulb & watts - 21 - etc)

The bulb works, BUT - very dimly, wit the brake pressed.

Anyone any ideas what may be causing it?

Drivers side is as bright as it should be.

Thanks again

suffolk boy · 19th February 2013, 10:09

sounds like a bad earth .should be a bolt on the rear inside the boot with black wires going to it remove it and clean with wet and dry replace and see if that makes any difference

19th February 2013, 08:46	#1
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	Rear bubl changer post boot leak fix... Previous owner had the rear lights siliconed in to stop water ingress. The bot still gets pretty wet after a down pour, so it's either not worked (there are plenty of gaos in the silicone...), or it is leaking from somewhere else. I am faced with needing to change the passenger side rear brake light. Am I correct in asuming that I need to cut through the silicone to access it? I have disconnected the plug, but it seems that the only way to remove the bulb housing is to cut through it... Any advice greatly appreciated!

19th February 2013, 10:09	#5
suffolk boy This is my second home fiat panda Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: haverhill Posts: 6,720 Thanks: 96 Thanked 586 Times in 526 Posts	sounds like a bad earth .should be a bolt on the rear inside the boot with black wires going to it remove it and clean with wet and dry replace and see if that makes any difference __________________ fiat panda 1.2 eco

19th February 2013, 08:56	#2
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	An dplease excuse my bad spelling, fingers are not working properly from working outside on the car on this beautiful but freezing morning!

19th February 2013, 09:02	#3
MrDoodles Banned MG ZT+ V6 190 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Spalding Posts: 13,245 Thanks: 369 Thanked 1,196 Times in 818 Posts	Remove both rear lamp clusters, thoroughly clean off any silicone that's left behind, fit two new rear lamp gaskets, available here http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-XFH100401 remove the boot side inner trims and remove the rear most fixing for the side moulding trim and silicon up the slot in the wing and replace fixing and washer and make sure that it's tight! Remove the boot carpet and dry (next to a heated towel rail in your bathroom is ideal) and leave out until you've had some more rain and checked for leaks! If leak cured, replace boot carpet and enjoy a dry boot, if not, investigate further, which would then be either the rear window leaking, or the lower boot vents. Let us know how you get on!

19th February 2013, 10:04	#4
coolasacucumber Gets stuck in '54 Black MG ZT CDTi + 160 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Blackburn Posts: 749 Thanks: 24 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts	Thank you very much for the advice! Just removed the ofending rear light, and it seems that my judgement of the silicone was wrong - it was very, very well packed in. I don't think it could have been leaking through there. I'm going to check the other side. One problem - I replaced the brake light that was out (not with a new bulb, but a spare bulb from a redundant fog light on another car, same bulb & watts - 21 - etc) The bulb works, BUT - very dimly, wit the brake pressed. Anyone any ideas what may be causing it? Drivers side is as bright as it should be. Thanks again