Condensation in TOMs tails?

[RFB]

All aftermarket tails are subject to condensation due to the design flaw .

Check my posts re - the fix - ( cost - 99 cents).

(double gaskets etc. will eventually lead to leaks)

[ft86me]

Originally Posted by JollyJON

I purchased mines from a vendor on this forum (fteightysix) and had issues with condensation on my first set. I contacted them and they quickly got toms to send me another set without having to send mines in first. I was still having issues with the second set and the vendor worked with me to figure out the issue. The issue i was having with the tail lights was that the gasket was not sealing properly with the body so I doubled up the gasket and haven't had any issues since. We also found out from speaking to Subaru that the nuts on the back of the lights are too small which can cause problems. They suggested adding 4 washers to the back of the taillights before screwing them in BY HAND. Hope this helps.

If your thinking about purchasing these tail lights, i highly recommend doing business with fteightysix. Great guys with amazing customer service!

how did you go about getting another gasket?

[JollyJON]

There's a few ways to get a second. I was shipped a second set of Toms and told to to use my old one and the new one together. There's also a DIY on this forum on how to make a thicker gasket. Use your oem gasket with the aftermarket.

[ft86me]

Originally Posted by JollyJON

There's a few ways to get a second. I was shipped a second set of Toms and told to to use my old one and the new one together. There's also a DIY on this forum on how to make a thicker gasket. Use your oem gasket with the aftermarket.

well i don't have the old tail lights haha. fml on that. i don't have an extra gasket and i may be getting rain soon so i used sitckey weather sealant thats double sided and went along the ouside rid of where the gasket is. i also used four spacers when tightening down. i have crystal eyes and my passenger one i noticed has a damn good amount of condensation. crossing fingers!

know where i can acquire foam?

[JollyJON]

I believe it is called neoprene foam although i don't know where to buy it from. hope that helps.

heres the thread for the diy gasket below:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26217

[Chen]

off topic, but with the winter season and having condensation in the tails. could it be possible for the condensation to freeze and crack the tails?

[Kiske]

I park outside (apartment) and have yet to have any in the daily rain and snow, I think you may have un-evenly tightened the lights creating a spot in the gasket that hasn't sealed correctly.

[eddieEndo]

all dat camber you're running in the rear puts too much stress on the tail lights

[Clembo]

Any big quick changes in temperature or humidity? I have cars that have never been in the weather but I have noticed very light condensation in the tops of some lights (headlights and taillights) when driving from a heated garage into cold outside air. Also see it occasionally when the sun shines directly on the lights when it's very cold outside. Since most light housings aren't completely sealed from the air, warmer air inside the lights exposed to colder air outside can sometimes form a bit of condensation inside the housing.


It's always very minor, it always dissipates quickly and is never enough to pool up in the bottom.

[SLICVIC]

i doubt it. i believe water inside a glass bottle thats closed and water tight would crack because water expands when freezing. This wont be an issue because the tails arent water tight. i could be wrong


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RFB]

Originally Posted by RFB

All aftermarket tails are subject to condensation due to the design flaw .

Check my posts re - the fix - ( cost - 99 cents).

(double gaskets etc. will eventually lead to leaks)

Snow man snot -

[Steege]

Is there any chance of saving my current Toms, despite there already being a good deal of condensation?

I'm considering taking them off, blow drying the inside of the housings, and reattaching with the extra washers. What about new bulb gaskets?

[RFB]

Originally Posted by Steege

Is there any chance of saving my current Toms, despite there already being a good deal of condensation?

I'm considering taking them off, blow drying the inside of the housings, and reattaching with the extra washers. What about new bulb gaskets?

Remove dirt from gasket surfaces, re attach with sealant onto the housing first.
If water stain remains after a gentle blow dry, a swish of pure methyl hydrate should remove any remnant.

Remember, as stated in the owners manual - condensation is normal and evaporates.
Moisture that remains in the housing is water that has flowed under the gaskets due to bent gasket surface on the car, or because of the dirt pulling the gasket away from the housing, the dirt coming from the rear window runnoff channel leading into the gaskets (PREVENTABLE WITH SNOW MAN SNOT TECHNIQUE).